Panoramas and VRML are two technologies web designers use to



add virtual worlds to websites. VRML, which stands for virtual

reality markup language, is a technology for animation and 3D

modeling that lets you create 3D scenes for websites. A special

VRML browser plug in lets you control the viewing of VRML

components on web sites. Panoramas are another type of virtual

reality component, similar in some ways to VRML in that

the user needs a special plug in to view and control the

viewing of the panoramic virtual reality component. However,

unlike VRML panoramas are made up of a series of photographs

stitched together to create one image that you can view

entirely as you move your cursor across the image.

Web designers add virtual reality (VR) components to web pages

for several reasons, including to make web pages more

interesting and interactive, and to display an item in a 3D

view.Some common formats for panoramas include Quick Time VR,

VRML2, Black Diamond's Surround Video, and Infinite Pictures

SmoothMove VRML offers uses for many types of websites,

including entertainment, education, computer aided design,

product marketing, virtual malls, and much more. Panoramas are

useful for these same types of websites, as well as real estate

and travel.

VR components offer many advantages to web site designers.

They make web sites more interesting and interactive, provide

more detail for objects or places than regular flat photos,

there is no need for complex programming to add a VR component

to your web site , and they generally have cross-platform and

cross-browser compatibility. Some disadvantages include

requirement of a plug in for viewing, (in many cases), long

download time for some web VR components, depending on the

file size and type, and the needed skills and creativity for

quality output.

Many software programs, such as Caligari's TrueSpace,

Micrografx Simply 3D, Silicon Graphics Internet 3D Space

Builder, and Platinum Technology's VRCreator learning edition,

automatically creat VRML files for you.

Some software options for panorama creation include Apple's

Quick Time VR Authoring Studio, Enroute Imaging's QuickStitch

360, Video Brush Corporation's VideoBrush Panorama, Live

Picture's Photo Vista, Infinite Picture's Smooth Move, Ulead's

Cool 360, and Black Diamond's Surround Video.

Now, go forth and CREATE!

Article written by M Adley.