Facebook rolls out a new 3D photos in News Feed and VR

Source: Facebook360

Facebook is rolling out 3D photos in News Feed and Virtual Reality (VR) to enable users to view and create 3D photos with life-like dimensions including depth and movement. 

People would have choices to adjust and experiment with creating multiple layers, contrasting colours and textures in order to create photos in 3D.

In a blog post, Facebook 360 team wrote, "Everyone will be able to see 3D photos in News Feed and VR today, while the ability to create and share 3D photos begins to roll out today."

You’ll get the best results if your main subject is three or four feet away, and to really make it pop, try to capture scenes with multiple layers of depth, including something in the foreground and something in the background.

Facebook says that the 3D Photos use the depth maps that are stored with “Portrait” photos taken on iPhone 7+, 8+, X or XS.

"Just take a photo in `Portrait` mode using your compatible dual-lens smartphone (although it’s not present in the new, lower-end iPhone XR), then share as a 3D photo on Facebook where you can scroll, pan and tilt to see the photo in realistic 3D," 
A number of other flagship phones feature dual cameras, including the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and LG V35 ThinQ, but Facebook says it will be “adding support for more devices in the future.”

It’s also adding yet another little feature that blurs the line between normal Facebook posts and “immersive” experiences like virtual or augmented reality. And it’s doing so in a way that’s relatively non-controversial, at least compared to the giant home videophone it unveiled earlier this week.

The social networking giant would also allow users to view 3D photos in VR using the "Oculus Go" browser or Firefox on Oculus Rift by dragging, tapping or tilting their heads to experience the three dimensions in photos. 

The feature would be available to everyone in the coming weeks. 

"We're listening to feedback on this new format and we continue rolling it out to everyone," the post added.

The feature was announced earlier in May by Facebook, during its "F8" event.

Facebook has specified that only iPhones with dual cameras are supported, for now, not all dual-camera phones.

Source: The Verge, Facebook360