Tutorial - PhotoVista Virtual Tour

Introduction
This is a two part tutorial. The first part explains how to create a Virtual Tour Maker project file (VTM). VTM files can be edited and re-edited as needed. The main features of Virtual Tour Maker will be explained, using supplied Tutorial Images as the basis for creating a complete virtual tour.

The second part of this tutorial explains how to use the Publish Wizard to install your virtual tour for use on an iSeeMedia ZOOM Server-enabled Web site.

Tutorial: Virtual Tour Description:
In this tutorial we are going to create a virtual tour of the 611 Ceramics & Art Gallery, using the images supplied in the Tutorial Images directory.


Part 1 - Creating a Virtual Tour Maker Project
1. To select an image that will be used to start the tour, click Insert Location on the Inset menu.

2. Browse to the Tutorial Images/Panoramas directory and select Street-gallery611.FPX. This will become the starting location for your tour.

By default, the first location imported into iSeeMedia Virtual Tour Maker is the starting location of your virtual tour. This can be changed using the Location Properties dialog.

Note: The start of any virtual tour should be something which users might experience naturally. That's why we've chosen the front entrance of the 611 Gallery for this tutorial. You can also use a panorama to start your virtual tour.

Note: Insert Location command is not only used to get started, but also to add individual images, 3D objects, and other panoramas. It is the main control for assembling all the elements of your virtual tour.

Adding more Locations and Hotspots to the Virtual Tour
1. Add the next part of your virtual tour by clicking Add Location on the Toolbar. A file selector will appear. Browse to the TutorialImages>Panorama folder and select the 611queen04.IVR.

2. Each time you select Add Location or Add Hotspot, you will have an opportunity to add more links and layers to your virtual tour. Always fill out all relevant information fields in the Hotspot Properties dialog.

3. When the panorama appears, right-click it to call the Location Properties dialog.



Hotspots - the Hotspot Properties dialog
Note: Hotspots can be links to URLs, HTML files, 3D objects, and other panoramas.

1. Fill out the following information in the Hotspot Properties dialog:

  • Hotspot Name - use a name that clearly describes the Hotspot.

  • Tooltip Text - this is the text which pops up when a user moves a mouse over the Hotspot. Limit the text to a description that encourages a user to click the Hotspot.

    Note: Effective virtual tours make use of accurate, consistent language in Tooltip Text. Always have someone spell-check your Tooltip Text

  • Hotspot Graphic - a default graphic is automatically assigned to every Hotspot, making it easier for users to find each Hotspot location. A custom graphic of your own design may also be used. Click the '…' button to locate and use a custom graphic.

  • Transitions - Cut allows you to set a point in the target panorama or image which will displayed when a user clicks the link for it in the previous part of the virtual tour. Zoom & Pan allows you to set an Entry from a previous location, and an Exit point to the next location in the virtual tour.


Transitions - How to set the entry and exit views in each image
In order to conduct a well-organized virtual tour, you must be able to move from specific locations in each image to another.

1. To set Entry and Exit Views use the mouse to draw a rectangle on the 611queen04.IVR. The Hotspot Properties will appear. Click the Advanced button to display the entire dialog.



2. In the Transition area select Cut and click the Set View button. The Transition Entry Point dialog will appear.



3. Use the sliders and the Zoom in and Zoom out buttons to display the entry point you want. Click OK.

4. In the Transition area, select Zoom & Pan and click the Set View button again. The Transition Exit & Entry View dialog will appear.



5. Use the sliders and the Zoom in and Zoom out buttons to display the Exit and Entry Point you want. Click OK.

Note: You can repeat the foregoing process and many times as you want to create extremely complex virtual tours. Try to keep your virtual tours as straightforward as possible in order to keep your users' interest.



Previewing the Virtual Tour
1. When you have assembled all the components of your virtual tour, click the Preview button on the Toolbar. The Preview Options dialog will appear.



2. Fill out all the information in the Preview Options dialog and click OK:
  • Tour Name - choose a descriptive name. If you are creating a number of tours, plan your names ahead of time to avoid confusion.

  • Tour Type - choose ZOOM (FPX) for the most full featured virtual tour.

  • Viewer - set the viewer size at which the virtual tour is shown.
Note: The Viewer size of your final virtual tour must be the same as the size the area assigned for it in the Web page in which it will appear. Consult with your Webmaster.




Part 2 - The Publish Wizard: Installing your Virtual Tour on a Web Site
Accurately configuring the Virtual Tour Maker publish options will permit the smoothest possible transfer of a finished set of virtual tour files to the target Web server and iSeeMedia ZOOM Server installation. The following describes the different configuration settings in the Publish Wizard that should be checked and adjusted in order to ensure a virtual tour is correctly published.



The Publish Wizard
1. After completing a Virtual Tour, you are ready to publish it iSeeMedia ZOOM Server. On the File menu, click Test Export to call the Publish Wizard dialog. The first of 4 wizard Steps will appear.

2. In Step 1, choose ZOOM (FPX) or JPEG format for your virtual tour. For this tutorial, click ZOOM (FPX).

3. In Step 2, choose a Viewer window size. In the fields provided, enter the numbers (in pixels) which correspond to the Viewer size chosen for the Web page in which the virtual tour will appear. If you know that an iSeeMedia ZOOM Server Applet (Java) Viewer is being used, you cannot specify a viewer window width of less than 240 pixels. If a smaller size has been specified in this case, notify the person responsible for editing the HTML for the page in question.

4. In Step 3, select a storage path and Virtual Tour folder name. All of the sub-folders and files listed in the Virtual Tour Folders and Files section below, will be saved to this path. Note that Virtual Tours are graphically complex and may require large amounts of storage space.

5. In Step 4, enter the following information:
  • The IP address of the iSeeMedia ZOOM Server.

  • The port number on iSeeMedia ZOOM Server which has been opened for access.

  • The iSeeMedia ZOOM Server image directory.
6. Click Finish. All of the virtual tour files and folders are created automatically in the locations previously configured.