Facebook today announced the launch of a new 3D photos feature that uses the Portrait Mode feature of the iPhone and other smartphones with dual lens cameras.

Facebook manipulates the Portrait Mode photo to display the scene in 3D, using the depth information between the subject in the foreground and the background.

facebook3dphotos

Whether it's a shot of your pet, your friends, or a beautiful spot from your latest vacation, you just take a photo in Portrait mode using your compatible dual-lens smartphone, then share as a 3D photo on Facebook where you can scroll, pan and tilt to see the photo in realistic 3D--like you're looking through a window.

According to Facebook, 3D photos can be uploaded by starting a new post, tapping on the three dots for more options, and choosing the 3D photo option.

Facebook has several tips for creating ideal 3D photos using Portrait Mode, including choosing scenes with a clear difference in depth between the subject and the background, taking advantage of high contrast, and capturing images with some texture.

All Facebook users can view 3D photos in the News Feed and via VR starting today, with the ability to create and share 3D photos rolling out to all users over the coming weeks.

Top Rated Comments

LogicalApex Avatar
61 months ago
Nice try Facebook. I'm not giving your algorithms even more information to make facial recognition easier for you to perform.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
212rikanmofo Avatar
61 months ago
Too bad, I already deleted Facebook the social engineering app from my life awhile ago.

You’re as awful as Google. Go to hell!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
61 months ago
Oh crap, now FaceBook has many people's 3D data. You just know there's a whole team of jerks over there working tirelessly at using this data to map people's houses and the faces of everyone they know.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pi.mont Avatar
61 months ago
Nifty idea, too bad there isn't much that'll get me to re-download their bloated app back on to my iPhone.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Meñito Avatar
61 months ago
FaceSuuks.app never again in my iPhone, Messenger too. :P
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
61 months ago
Soo it mimics what Lytro cameras were able to achieve years ago?
Sure, and you don't need to spend a couple hundred dollars on a separate Lytro camera and it's much more conveniently on a device all of us have and carry with us all the time, making it much more useful.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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