You can now create 3D Instagram Stories using Facebook's AR Spark platform

Love Instagram's AR Effects? Now you can create your own
Nik MacMillan / Unsplash
Amelia Heathman14 August 2019

Augmented reality (AR), whereby computer-generated images are superimposed over a user’s view of the real world, has always been a big part of social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram.

Now Instagram wants people to get even more creative with AR by allowing anyone to create bespoke 3D effects on its Stories platform.

This is all made possible through Facebook’s Spark AR platform. If you’ve never come across it before, Spark is a programme which you can download on both Windows or Mac which then allows you to start creating AR effects for Facebook, Messenger and Instagram.

Since the platform launched in 2018, over one billion people have used the AR experiences created using Spark.

There's a whole host of new AR Effects to explore on Instagram now
Instagram

Simply sign up to the Spark platform to download the programme and get creating. It could be a filter for a wedding, or a party. It doesn’t matter if you’re a creative professional or someone who wants to play around with design, the point of Spark AR is that it’s easy for anyone to try out.

Obviously, there needs to be a place for all these exciting new AR Effects which is why Instagram is looking to install a new AR Explore tab in the Stories Camera. Open up the Instagram app and go to camera. Hit the little effects face and scroll along the options until you reach a new button which says “Browse for more effects”. In this tab, you can preview all the different new effects including ones created by accounts you follow, effects created for selfies, or ones on particular themes such as love or colour.

Already, 2019 is proving to be a big year for AR. Last week, Google unveiled its new AR directions feature in Maps, named LiveView, to make it easier to navigate around cities. Phone case maker Casetify teamed up with concept brand Virtual Super Land to make AR phone cases, whilst Pokemon Go creators Niantic finally released its Harry Potter AR game, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.

Now is a better time as any to get stuck into the world of AR.

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