Meta's Horizon Desktop Editor gets powerful new generative AI tools
The Horizon Worlds Desktop Editor gets new generative AI tools that can be used to create compelling VR and mobile worlds in just a few hours.
Meta has released new generative AI tools for the Horizon Worlds Desktop Editor. This should allow developers to create worlds for Meta Quest and mobile devices in hours instead of weeks.
The new AI tools include Mesh Generation for creating 3D objects, Texture Generation for designing surfaces, and Skybox Generation for creating skyboxes in styles ranging from photorealistic to anime.
According to Meta, the AI tools are easy to use. Mesh generation, for example, is done in three steps: you enter a prompt, choose from a generated object, and place it in the world. The video below illustrates this process.
The Desktop Editor has supported generative AI tools since its early access release in February. They include the ability to generate sound effects and ambient sounds, as well as TypeScript code.
These AI tools were previously only available in the US. Availability has now been extended to the UK and Canada. All three countries now have access to both the old and newly added AI tools.
What is the Meta Horizon Worlds Desktop Editor?
The PC-based editor went into Early Access on February 20, 2025. It is available in all 23 countries where Meta's Horizon Worlds metaverse platform is supported.
Meta describes the Desktop Editor as follows:
In the U.S., the Desktop Editor launched with generative AI tools that can be used to generate sound effects and ambient sounds, as well as TypeScript code. As of April 14, 2025, these and new AI tools (mesh generation, texture generation, skybox generation) are also available in the UK and Canada.
Prior to the early access release of the Desktop Editor, Horizon Worlds could only be created directly in VR using relatively primitive tools. With the release of the Desktop Editor, Meta deprecated these older tools.
To use the Desktop Editor, you need the Meta Quest Link PC app, which has system requirements. Once you have installed the PC app, you can download, install and start the Desktop Editor (see instructions). The Desktop Editor currently only supports Windows PCs. It does not run on macOS and Linux.
To support the development of Horizon Worlds, Meta launched a $50 million funding program in February called the Meta Horizon Creator Fund.
Developers from 18 countries are eligible for funding: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Taiwan, in addition to the previously supported countries of the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
What do you think of these new AI tools? Join the conversation on Facebook, Bluesky or X or share your opinion in the comments below.
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