Snapchat is one of the most popular social networks of the moment and its app is available for Android and iOS devices. The peculiarity of Snapchat is that it allows you to send and share images and short videos in real time. It also has a video chat with which to communicate quickly and easily with all your friends. The application also offers the ability to customize images and videos, before sharing, by adding fun graphic filters, text or drawings. The latest updates have introduced the "Lenses" function which uses a facial recognition algorithm to create very funny and bizarre animations such as rainbows coming out of the mouth, face transformations, face replacement, special birthday celebrations and even morphing of the face in different animal shapes. However, in order to take advantage of this new Snapchat feature, you need to have a compatible device and the latest version of the application.
Steps
Part 1 of 7: Using the Lens Effect
Step 1. Understand what this functionality offers
One of the most easily recognizable "Lenses", as well as being one of the first to be introduced, is the one that allows a rainbow to come out of the mouth of the subject of the image. Subsequently, Snapchat continued to introduce new effects on a regular basis - facial morphing (in different shapes and adopting different styles), facial transformations, swapping faces between multiple subjects, themed birthday effects, and so much more.
- The "Lenses" are special effects that are applied in real time on the face through the use of facial recognition algorithms, for this reason it is possible to instantly visualize on the video how your facial expressions influence the behavior of these effects. Since this type of graphic effects are very often interactive, to be able to apply them it is necessary to adopt predetermined facial expressions (for example, keeping the mouth open to let the rainbows come out). Every day 10 different effects ("Lenses") are made available for free. If you decide to purchase a "Lens" (when available) this effect will always be available for use.
- The "Lenses" must be used before taking a photo or recording a movie while the normal graphic filters can be applied after creating the snap. Within the same snap it is possible to use both "Lenses" and filters.
Step 2. Understand the limitations of using "Lenses" by device and hardware
This type of graphic effects does not work on most Android smartphones, while it is only supported by the most recent iOS devices (although some users who have the latest iPhone versions have reported problems using this feature). If you don't have an up-to-date device, chances are you won't be able to take advantage of Snapchat's "Lenses" (however, there is a chance they won't work on the latest generation devices, too).
- IPhones 4 and the first generation of iPads do not support this type of graphic effects. However, some users of supported iOS devices have reported that this functionality does not work anyway.
- "Lenses" are supported by devices running Android 4.3 or later. However, some users with the most up-to-date devices have reported that this feature is not supported anyway.
Step 3. Update the Snapchat application
In order to access the "Lenses" effects you need to use the latest version of the Snapchat app available. To do this, you can access the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
See this article for more details on how to update the application
Step 4. Enable Snapchat "Selfie" mode
The "Lenses" work thanks to an algorithm for facial recognition which, once the subject's face has been identified, proceeds to morph with the various effects. This feature can be used with both the device camera and the front camera. In this case, however, it is very likely that you will find it much easier and more comfortable to use the front camera. Launch the Snapchat application. You will be redirected directly to the main view generated by the device's camera. There are two ways to activate the front camera:
- Touch the icon at the top right characterized by a circle formed by two arrows. This way you will have direct access to the front camera of the device.
- Alternatively, you can simply double tap the screen to switch between the main and front cameras and vice versa.
Step 5. Hold the phone at a correct distance to frame your entire face
The "Lenses" effect works best only when the camera frames the face in its entirety.
Also make sure that the ambient lighting is sufficient because otherwise face recognition may be inaccurate or completely impossible
Step 6. Keep your finger pressed on your face until the drawing of its geometric shape is complete
After a few moments your face will be scanned and the available "Lenses" will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Make sure you frame your face in its entirety and keep the camera as still as possible. For the "Lenses" effect to work you need to keep your finger pressed on the face for several seconds; in some cases it will be necessary to perform multiple attempts. If the drawing of the geometric shape of your face is partial, the main cause could be poor lighting in the environment
Step 7. Choose the "Lens" effect you want to use
Scroll the available options left and right to choose the one you like best. Snapchat changes the "Lenses" selection on a daily basis to always give users new choices.
- Some of the most used effects that you will most likely come across include: rainbows sticking out of the mouth, terrified expressions, zombie effect, heart-shaped eyes, or crying effect.
- On your birthday you will have a themed "Lens" effect to celebrate the event (but only as long as you have provided your date of birth in the "Settings" menu). You can access this special effect even when it's one of your friends' birthday. To do this, search for and select the pie icon next to their usernames. This way you will have direct access to this graphic effect.
- As the selection of "Lens" effects available each day varies, the one you are looking for may not be available at the moment. Check back in the following days to see if it is available for use again.
Step 8. Follow the instructions for using the effect you have chosen
Many effects come with a short tutorial showing which commands to use for its application. For example, to make a waterfall of rainbows come out of your mouth you will be asked to hold it open.
Step 9. Take a photo or record a video
When you are ready, press the capture button at the bottom of the screen (in this case it will be characterized by the image of the effect you have chosen) to take a picture or hold it down to record a video of up to 10 seconds. The selected "Lens" effect will be incorporated into the snap.
- In the case of capturing an image, in the lower left corner of the screen you will see a circular icon with the number 5 inside. Press it to select the time interval (1-10 seconds) in which the image will remain visible to the recipient of your snap.
- Android devices, to be able to capture a video with "Lenses" effects, must be equipped with Android 5.0 or later. IPhone 4, 4S and iPad 2 do not support this function. However, it should be noted that some users of supported devices have not been able to take advantage of this functionality.
- Consider using additional effects (text, drawings, emojis, and stickers). All effects available in Snapchat can be used in conjunction with the "Lenses" feature (as detailed in the next section).
Step 10. Submit your snap
After capturing your snap, you can decide to send it to all the Snapchat contacts you have selected, to publish it as a public post of your "Stories" (in this case it will be visible for 24 hours) or to simply save it as an image or video for be able to keep it.
- The second icon from the left, located at the bottom of the screen and characterized by an arrow and a line, is used to save your snap (image or video) without publishing or sending it.
- The third icon starting from the left, located at the bottom of the screen and characterized by a square and the "+" symbol, is used to publish a snap on your stories, making it visible to anyone who follows you for the next 24 hours.
- The arrow icon, located in the lower right part of the screen, allows both to select the users to whom to send a snap and to choose which "My Story" to publish it on.
- After selecting the option that best suits your needs, a second blue icon, shaped like an arrow, will appear at the bottom of the screen; its function is to send the message itself.
Part 2 of 7: Using Filters
Step 1. Understand what filters are
Snapchat ones are added only after creating a snap, with the function of emphasizing and personalizing images and videos quickly and easily. To get a complete overview of all available filters, swipe the screen to the right or left or continue reading this section.
Step 2. Make sure the Snapchat application is up to date
To have access to most filters, you need to use the latest version of the Snapchat app. If the latest update was a long time ago, chances are that by running it now you will immediately have access to numerous other options. To do this, go directly to the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Check out this article for more details on how to update the Snapchat application
Step 3. Activate the filters
Press the ghost button on the Snapchat application main screen, then select the gear icon to access the settings menu.
- Scroll down until you find "Manage Preferences" in the "Additional Services" section of the menu;
- Put the button next to "Filters" in the "On" position; it will turn green.
Step 4. Enable your device's location services to be usable by the Snapchat app
In order to use them, some filters require access to the current geographic location (for example the "Geolocation" or "Temperature" filters).
- IOS devices: go to the "Settings" menu. Choose the "Privacy" option, then, if you haven't done so before, turn on the "Location Services" switch. Locate the Snapchat app in the list that appears to activate its switch.
- Android devices: go to the "Settings" menu. Choose "Location Services", then select the "Enable" option at the top of the menu.
Step 5. Take a photo or record a video
To do this, you must return to the main application screen relating to the view captured by the main camera of the device. To take a photo, press the white button at the bottom of the screen; hold it down instead to record a video (you can capture video clips up to 10 seconds long). In case of capturing an image, in the lower left corner of the screen, you will see a circular icon with the number 5 inside. Press it to select the time interval (from 1 to 10 seconds) in which the image will remain visible to the recipient of your snap. Since this is a movie, if you want to delete the audio part, press the relative button in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 6. Add a filter to your images or videos
To do this, swipe the screen left or right to access the various filters available. Note: If the Snapchat application cannot access the device location service, all existing filters will not be available.
Step 7. Add the Geofilters
This first set of filters is tied to your current geographic location.
- Places: usually includes several versions of the name of the city you are currently in;
- Community: represents the set of filters created by the users themselves and approved by Snapchat relating to the geographical areas in which they are located. To be authorized, this type of filter must not contain references to brands or logos.
- On-Demand: these are customizable filters (for a fee), available for both companies and individuals, useful for advertising the precise location in which a specific event takes place. In this case, the use of trademarks and logos is allowed.
Step 8. Try video specific filters
This second set of filters alters the audio and video properties of your movies.
- Rewind: Characterized by three arrows pointing to the left, this feature plays your videos in reverse. This also includes audio.
- Forward: the icon that characterizes this function is represented by a simple rabbit. This function increases the playback speed of movies (including audio).
- Fast Forward: the icon that identifies this filter is represented by a rabbit and some lines at the top and bottom. This feature plays your videos at double speed. In this case, the audio will also play at double speed.
- Slow Motion: in this case the icon that characterizes this filter is a snail. As a logical consequence, the playback of videos and their audio will be significantly slowed down.
Step 9. Test the data filters
This third set of filters uses data about when snaps are acquired, adding information to help you better understand the context.
- Battery: This filter reports the current battery level of the device. It features a completely full green smiley face when the smartphone's battery is fully charged. On the contrary, the smiley appears red and almost completely empty when the remaining battery charge is very low.
- Date and time: this filter inserts the date and time of acquisition into the snap (both in the case of an image and for videos). Touching the time that appears, the date will be displayed; tapping it again you will be given the option to change its format.
- Temperature: it inserts in the snap the current temperature of the place where it was acquired. By touching the value displayed on the screen, you can set the Celsius or Fahrenheit scale.
- Speed: Snap the speed at which you were moving during the capture. If you are stationary, the value "0 KM / H" or "0 MPH" will be displayed (touch the value displayed on the screen to switch from kilometers per hour to miles per hour and vice versa).
Step 10. Test the color filters
This last set of filters affects the colors of images and videos.
- Black and White: Create black and white videos and images.
- Old Style: Gives a "dated" look to your videos and images.
- Sepia: characterize your snaps with a yellowish hue.
- Bright: Increase the brightness of your images and videos.
Step 11. Consider using more than one filter at the same time
To do this, access the desired filter, then press and hold a finger on the image and at the same time swipe the screen with another.
On images you can apply a maximum of 3 filters (Geofilters, data filters and color), while in the case of movies you can apply up to 5 filters (Geofilters, data filters, color, Rewind and one of the three filters relating to the playback speed)
Part 3 of 7: Using the Face Swap Lens
Step 1. To find this special effect, first you need to activate the "Lenses" feature
This last option offers two different methods for replacing faces: you can choose to invert the faces of two subjects in the same image or to replace the face of the only subject of the snap with the one present on another image stored in the device..
To activate the "Lenses" feature, frame your face using the front camera of your device, then press and hold it with your finger. After a while, the available 3D effects will appear at the bottom of the screen
Step 2. To replace the face in the image, select the yellow smiley face related to the "face swap" effect
This "Lens" is placed in the final part of the list and is characterized by two neighboring smileys.
Step 3. Align both faces with the smileys that appeared on the screen
After selecting the "face swap" effect, two smileys will appear on the screen, which you will have to align on the two faces to be replaced. Upon completion, Snapchat will automatically replace the faces.
Your face will appear on the face of the person next to you in the photo and vice versa
Step 4. If you want to replace your face with the one on an image stored in the device, select the purple "face swap" effect
This "Lens" is also placed in the final part of the list of those available. Once you select it, Snapchat will automatically begin scanning all the images on your device to find those with suitable faces for replacement.
Step 5. Tap the face you want to use for replacement
After automatically scanning all the images on your device, Snapchat will only provide you with the list of detected faces. In this case, you will not be able to select a specific image, but only the faces that Snapchat was able to identify.
This feature replaces your face in real time with the one present in a photograph stored on your device. In other words, it is a sort of personalized "Lens" created in real time
Part 4 of 7: Adding Text
Step 1. Insert funny text in your snaps (images and videos)
To do this, tap the image or video in question, type the text you want, press the "Done" button, the "Enter" key or tap the screen. The entered text will automatically be displayed in the center of the screen.
Step 2. Enable Text Effects
Press the "T" button in the upper right corner of the screen to access the effects that can be combined with the text. This will display the text enlarged and centered to the left, while the insertion bar will be removed.
- Press the "T" button again to align the text in the center;
- Press the "T" button a third time to restore the original text settings.
Step 3. Move the text, change its size, then rotate it
To move text across the screen, select and drag it to the desired location. To change the size, use your index finger and thumb, as if to pinch it. By bringing your fingers together you make it smaller, vice versa, moving them away activates the Zoom function by increasing its size. To rotate it, simply rotate your fingers until you reach the desired angle.
Step 4. Change the style or color of the text
To do this, select the text on the screen to display the keyboard and the color slider. To change the color of the text, slide the color slider to the desired point. Once you have finished editing press the "Finish" button, the "Enter" key or tap the screen.
If you need to change the color of a single letter or word, select it, then use the color slider to choose the one you want
Part 5 of 7: Using Stickers and Emojis
Step 1. Enrich your images or videos with stickers or emojis
Tap the "Stickers" button at the top right of the screen (it has a "post-it" icon to the left of the "T" icon). You'll see a list of all the emojis you can put in your snap. Scroll the list left or right to see the different categories available. By tapping it, the emoji you want will automatically be inserted into your snap, after which you can drag it to the exact position you want it to appear. You can add as many stickers as you want.
Use the index finger and the thumb of the hand at the same time to reduce or enlarge the emoji inserted in the snap (by bringing your fingers together you reduce them, vice versa, moving them away activates the Zoom function which increases their size). You can also rotate the emoji by placing your fingers at the ends of the element to be edited and then rotating them at the same time
Step 2. Place stickers on objects in your video snaps
When you insert a sticker into a video snap and hold it down with your finger, the movie pauses, allowing you to place the new item on the desired object. By releasing your finger, the chosen sticker will be "anchored" on the selected object. In this way, if the latter moves along the screen, the adhesive will faithfully follow its movements.
Step 3. Consider creating your own custom graphic filters using the hidden emoji and sticker features
Choose the decorative element that suits your needs, then enlarge its dimensions until it completely loses its original shape and becomes unrecognizable. Now move your attention to the edges of the element. The translucent border acts as a color filter, giving you the ability to create a custom color to use on your video or photo snaps.
Step 4. Create a sticker yourself
Press the scissors icon located at the top of the screen, then use your finger to crop any part of the video - a person's face, for example. You have just created a sticker that you can now move with your finger anywhere on the screen.
- The stickers you create will appear at the top of the related menu when you tap the sticker icon;
- To remove the sticker from your image, press and drag it to the sticky note icon; once near the icon, it will turn into a trash can.
Part 6 of 7: Using the Draw Function
Step 1. Draw on the images and videos you have created
Tap the pencil icon in the upper right corner of the screen. Choose the desired color using the color slider, then touch the screen to start drawing. When your artwork is complete, tap the pencil icon again.
If you are not satisfied with the finished drawing, tap the "Cancel" button located in the upper left corner of the screen. It is characterized by a curved arrow
Step 2. Find the hidden colors
While on Android devices the black and white colors are already integrated and usable, on iOS devices there is a color slider that shows a "rainbow" of colors in which black and white are not visible. To use the latter tool, move the color slider to the upper left corner of the screen with your finger. To use the black color, move it completely in the opposite direction. To use gray, drag your finger across the screen from the color slider to the lower left corner. To use shades of color not present in the slider (candy pink or burgundy, for example), drag your finger from the slider around the screen.
Only on Android systems there is a "transparent" color. Keep your finger pressed on the screen until the full color palette appears, from which you can select the "transparent" option
Part 7 of 7: Using Previous Versions
Step 1. Take a picture
Follow the steps in this section if you're using an outdated version of the Snapchat app and don't want to download the latest updates.
Step 2. Add the "Sepia" filter
Touch the photo you just took to access the text field, then type the command Sepia….
It is very important to type the complete command of the final three dots
Step 3. Add the "Black and White" graphic filter
Tap the photo you just took to access the text field, then type the command b & w….
Step 4. Add the "Negative" graphic filter
Tap the photo you just took to access the text field, then type the Negative… command.
