Facebook tool converts smartphone photos into 3D images in a jiffy

A team of Facebook researchers has created an end-to-end system that helps users turn photos they take on their smartphones into 3D images within seconds.

The new framework provides users with a more practical approach to 3D photography, addressing several design objectives.

Users can access the new technology via their own mobile device and the real-time conversion from a 2D input image to 3D is seamless, requiring no sophisticated photographic skills.

It only takes a few seconds to process and the method is robust enough to work on almost any photo — new or one previously taken.