Google AI art tool turns 2D creatures into 3D models

A GAN is a machine learning model in which two convolutional neural networks compete with each other to become more accurate in their predictions. For Chimera Painter, one network created new images, and the other network tried to determine if the pictures were from a sample training data set, which featured artist-created images. The outlines characterized the shape and size of the creature and separated out each identifiable body part, including the legs, eyes, ears, head, muzzle, horns and wings. After training the model, it was then used to produce multi-species chimeras based on those outlines, according to Google. Researchers put the best model into Chimera Painter.