01 Jan2008

Spherical panoramas and virtual tours

Spherical panorama (sometimes 3d panorama) - is widely developed both in Russia and abroad, the visual representation of Internet technology. Unlike conventional photography, spherical panorama allows you to completely, not scraps, imagine the space where the photographing was performed. Due to its interactive spherical panorama can cause a sense of presence - at will the viewer can "manage views" with the mouse, keyboard or smart phone screen, zoom in objects of interest in or out.

Simplified scheme of the creation of spherical panoramas

Shooting single shots panorama

Depending on the task and the selected lens may be 4 frames in one, two or more rows.

Stitching spherical panorama

Captured images are stitched into a single image - the so-called equidistant projection.

Panorama publication in finished form

Stitched spherical panorama is output from the player KRPano or may be published in various services, such as Google.

The further development of the idea of spherical panoramas led to the emergence of virtual tours (sometimes 3d tours) - combine multiple panoramas interactive links to each other (hotspots). Virtual tour allows you to organize a virtual journey through the simulated object. For example, the viewer can start a virtual tour with panoramic view at the entrance to the hotel, then go into the hall, "to come" in the elevator, "up to the required level," "go to the room," "go to the balcony". Virtual tour, as well as individual panorama, can be supplemented with a variety of media data (audio, video, photos), as well as for ease of navigation, is equipped with a map-scheme.