Tip of the month! February: Creating a virtual tour

This month we bring you a more detailed explanation of the new virtual tour feature from the last program update. Simply put, it allows you to load a number of panorama files, combine them and create a composite panorama file, a virtual tour. Really useful when presenting multiple rooms, or wishing to show a specific space from more angles. To get started, select virtual tour from the export options, found in the file menu.
 

 

What is a virtual tour?

• A virtual tour is a panorama file that can consist of multiple panoramas

• The file has the extension .ppan3 and can be viewed in Palette Move and in the Palette Cloud

• The viewer can switch between panoramas

• You can insert jump labels

• When the viewer clicks on a jump label in a panorama, the program automatically loads a linked panorama

• This allows you to create a virtual tour of a project, for example

What panoramas can be used?

• All panoramas created in Palette CAD can be imported

• This can be the current .ppan3 format and the older .ppan2 and .ppan formats

• You can also import panorama photos in .jpg format

• In addition, you can use a virtual tour to convert existing panoramas into the .ppan3 format

Importing panoramas into the virtual tour

• Press the “Open” button to import a virtual tour in .ppan3 format

• The “New” button starts a new, empty virtual tour

• The “Add” button adds a panorama in .ppan, .ppan2, .ppan3 or .jpg format to the virtual tour

Editing individual panoramas

• The “Panoramas” list shows the panoramas currently loaded along with a preview bitmap

• When a panorama is selected in the list, the preview window on the right displays the panorama as in Palette Move

• You can move around in the panorama and jump to other panoramas

• You can rename a panorama

• You can define the direction of viewing for a panorama

• The direction of viewing is the orientation of the panorama when it is launched (e.g. by clicking on a jump label)

Saving the virtual tour

• The virtual tour is saved as a file with the extension .ppan3

• Basically, a virtual tour behaves the same way as a “simple” panorama

• For example, a virtual tour can contain a single panorama, in which case it is identical to a “simple” panorama

• You can use the “Create preview” to define which image to show when displaying the file

• This preview bitmap for the virtual tour is displayed, for example, in Palette Move in the selection of loaded panoramas or in the Palette Cloud

• Select a panorama

• When you create a preview, the current setting of this panorama is saved as a preview for the virtual tour

What are jump labels?

• A jump label is a marker (icon) in a panorama

• When the viewer clicks on this jump label, the program loads another panorama

• In Palette Move VR, all you need to do is look at the jump label

• Before loading the panorama, the program performs an animated zoom to the jump label to simulate a movement

• Placing jump labels at appropriate positions in the panoramas creates the impression of a tour

Setting and editing a jump label

• You can set and edit jump labels in the currently active panorama on the “Jump labels” tab

• On the left is list of jump labels in the panorama

• When a jump label is selected, it is displayed blue in the panorama

• New jump label: This button sets a new jump label in the active panorama

• The program displays a list box containing the panoramas available in the virtual tour

• Click on the position in the panorama

• Delete: This button removes the selected jump label

• Link: This button links the selected jump label to another panorama

• The name of the panorama is automatically applied to the jump label 

There you have it, now time to give it a go yourselves, and don't forget to show off on our Facebook page to get some kudos. You can also check out the virtual tour from the pictures above, just visit www.palettecloud.net and enter the pin 83898354. Have fun!

Greetings from Stuttgart

Your Palette CAD Blog Team