Virtual object manipulation with gestures in a messaging system

A system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
• selecting a virtual object for manipulation based on hand gesture data;
• expanding the virtual object to a larger size in response to first updated hand gesture data indicating closure of thumbs on each hand closer to index fingers;
• rotating the virtual object in a particular direction in response to second updated hand gesture data indicating changed hand positions;
• and
• performing additional size modification of the virtual object in response to third updated hand gesture data.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:

• selecting a virtual object for manipulation based on hand gesture data;
• expanding the virtual object to a larger size in response to first updated hand gesture data indicating closure of thumbs on each hand closer to index fingers;
• rotating the virtual object in a particular direction in response to second updated hand gesture data indicating changed hand positions;
• and
• performing additional size modification of the virtual object in response to third updated hand gesture data.