What is
the technology? 
PanaTour delivers striking, full color, panoramic images that can be viewed with any
Internet browser. The loading speed is remarkable. The Interactive Navigator allows
the visitor to change point of view, moving effortlessly from one spot to any other
spot on the tour.
What is
the Interactive Navigator?
The Interactive Navigator's map or floor plan accompanies the photographic image and
uses a "radar-like" dynamic image. This graphic display orients the visitor
to the direction of view, the proportions of the objects displayed, and the size of
the room or object. In addition, the Interactive Navigator serves as a effortless
navigation tool that allows panning the view or instantly switching to another location
of on the tour. The Interactive Navigator offers orientation, navigation and fascination
at a loading speed that is the same or faster than the ordinary panoramic sites offered
by others.
How does
it work?
Along with the images, a small 14k Java applet is quickly downloaded in the background
and runs in the browser window. The applet displays the image, allowing the user to
pan the view 360 degrees. Another 6k Java applet provides a unique graphical reference
displaying the viewer's location on a map or floor plan that includes the direction
and angle of view. The visitor may use the map or floor plan to navigate through the
image and move to new vantage points.
How does
someone on the Internet see the Virtual Tours?
Both Microsoft Windows and Macintosh users can view our virtual tours on most browsers.
Will
it work with all computers and Internet browsers?
Yes. The PanaTour applet has been tested with Netscape Navigator 3.0 or later, Microsoft
Internet Explorer 3.0 or later and AOL 4.0 or later.
Do I need
a plug-In to see the tours on my browser?
No. PanaTour provides the user's browser with a simple, small Java applet while the
image is downloading. There is no plug in and no noticeable delay. The only requirement
is that the user's browser be set to run Java applets, a default setting on all current
browsers. Some viewers such as QuickTime VR, require the user to leave your site to
download and install a plug-in before displaying any image. Visitors to your site
will stay on your site.
How do
Quick Time VR or the IPIX system differ?
The visitor experience is very similar. All three products deliver a panoramic image
to an Internet browser. The key differences are that QTVR requires a plug-in for the
user to view the image. Neither QTVR nor IPIX have PanaTour's unique Interactive Navigator.
How large
are the tours and how long will it take for the viewer to display them?
A "Tour" is made up of a number of panoramic images. Each image ranges in
size from 30k to 60k requiring approximately 10-15 seconds to load when using a standard
56.6k Internet connection.
How can I
place a tour on my web site?
If you have an existing web site, and would like Virtual Media Providers or one of
our resellers to produce and host your tour in one of two ways.
1. Virtual Media Providers
will provide you with a small icon to place on your site, including the HTML that
will link the icon exclusively to your tour. When a visitor to your site clicks
on the icon, a new window will open displaying your tour. When the tour is complete,
the user closes the PanaTour window and automatically returns to your site.
2. Virtual Media Providers'
skilled designers can build a custom web page to look and feel like your web site,
including your logo and graphics. Your visitor will seamlessly leave your site only
to view the tour and then return.
If you would like to producd and
host your own virtual tours on your web site, click here for more
information.
Do I need
a web site to use PanaTour? What are the costs?
Absolutely not. PanaTour has "Standalone" Tour packages that include an
Easy Web Site with a virtual tour starting at $199.95 for setup and design and hosting
at $12.50/month.
Can PanaTour
design and host my web site?
Yes. Years of experience designing everything from local merchant sites to national
magazine and e-commerce sites enables us to create web sites for any budget and design.
Packages start at $99.95 for setup and design with hosting less than $8.50/month.
Can my
tour be hosted on my site?
The licensing agreement with the software developer allows us to provide you with
a viewer "signed" to your domain name that will serve the virtual tours
from your web site. A small annual fee applies depending on the total number of virtual
tours your site will be serving.
How are
the virtual tours created?
You have two options:
1. Virtual Media Providers will
provide a turn key solution. We will come to your location and take the panoramic
images using our equipment. You then include them on your web site using our options.
Click here for information about including the presentation on your
web site.
2. You can provide Virtual Media
Providers with the images and we will produce the virtual tour from them. You then
include them on your web site using our options. Click here for information
about including the presentation on your web site.
For the virtual tours to have
good quaility, the images must be taken in a certain way. We can provide you or your
photographer with the requirements.
Click here if you would like to recieve a quote.
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Virtual
Tour Frequently Asked Questions
