This introduction to Virtual Tours takes in a little bit of history and context before we examine how small businesses can create their own. We shall be adding a detailed 'How to Guide' on Virtual Tours to the Share Wales Toolbox in the near future.
In the beginning was Virtual Reality ...
Long long ago, in a galaxy far, far away (specifically in the 1980s and early 1990s, and in the burgeoning heritage industry) operators and production companies recognised the potential of computer graphics for the presentation of tourist venues. The promise was of dynamic programmes that would allow viewers to navigate their way around historical buildings, museums and galleries, or reconstructed archaeological sites. The inspiration came in part from computer games, in part from a film industry that was developing CGI [Computer Generated Imagery] as a next generation FX tool. In those pre-Internet days the medium of choice was the CD-ROM, a compact merchandisable format with a degree of novelty value for early adopters of home computers.
First efforts were not particularly impressive. A limited CGI palette, a focus on technology rather than content (a usual failing with new media) and overuse of design templates resulted in programmes that were bland and overly homogeneous. Virtual Reality tours from the same production company would suggest remarkable (and specious) similarities between the architecture of, say, Knossos and Troy. But technology moved on, confidence increased and the focus shifted to content and sound historical research. Virtual Reality is now a common feature in broadcast media and in the better resourced heritage attractions. As example, see "How to reconstruct a Bronze Age City", a clip from the October 2011 BBC production "City Beneath the Waves: Pavlopetri" which covered excavations at a submerged Mycenaean city at the southernmost tip of the Peloponnese. Click here and go to 3:00.
Back to the real world
Virtual Reality requires complex and expensive processes. More affordable options for the tourism industry emerged with the development of digital photography. Proprietary software allows photographic images to be stitched together to allow immersive viewing. Users are able to navigate seamlessly around a 360° panorama and zoom into items of interest. At their most sophisticated, these photographic composites offer a dynamic spherical environment and involve the use of specialist lenses or programmable tripod heads. But the basic principle points the way to less ambitious exterior and interior virtual tours, created by small businesses for their own use, where full spherical coverage is not an absolute requirement.
Photographic rendition can be more effective than CGI for the real world, as the following examples demonstrate. Confusingly, photo-composites are often marketed as 'Virtual Reality Tours' but are characterised by only minimal use of computer graphics, for image enhancement.
The Vatican: The Sistine Chapel. Just one of a series of spherical virtual tours of iconic venues in the Vatican City. Click here. Tours are also available for the Basilica of St Peter and the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
The National Gallery, London. The National Gallery has created virtual tours of all 18 of its exhibition rooms, which can be selected from the 'Floorplan' tab, bottom left. Users can also view individual paintings, or a panorama of the current temporary exhibit. Click here. An interesting addition is the 'Create a postcard' feature, where web site visitors can select a view and email a postcard and a back-link to a friend. A nice example of how user generated content can attract web site traffic.
Bringing it all back home
The National Gallery and Vatican demonstrate the power of Virtual Tours for creating distinctive web content. And stand-out visuals are increasingly important as online communities focus more and more on imagery - for just one perspective, see 'Why Facebook needs your photos'. Dynamic panoramas are now in common use by holiday letting agencies and estate agents to guide viewers around their properties, room by room. The above examples show the potential for heritage sites, museums and galleries. Most obviously, dynamic 360° panoramas are the ideal presentation format for the landscapes, coastscapes and harbours of Wales.
Virtual Tours based on 360° panoramas are well within the reach of small businesses, without the need for specialist equipment, production companies or advanced photographic skills. All that is required is a digital camera, a tripod, an eye for a view and a little patience. Everything else is free.
360° Panorama: Lower Fishguard, 18mm lens
You will be prompted to download the free MS Silverlight Viewer.
Don't be scared!
360° Panorama, St Davids Cathedral, 10mm lens.
Photosynth: the short version
The Lower Fishguard and St Davids Cathedral panoramas were produced and uploaded to the web using a mid-flight digital camera, the Microsoft Image Composite Editor [ICE] and MS Photosynth. A detailed step-by-step 'How to Guide' will be added to the Share Wales Toolbox shortly. Here's a summary of the process. Continue reading →
