Documentation and Internet Presentation of Cultural
Heritage Using Panoramic Image Technology
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Methods |
Segmented Panoramas |
Stitching |
Publication |
References ]
4 Web Publishing of Panoramas
Panoramic images are 360 degree views of a scene from a particular viewpoint. Interactive viewing of a panorama is provided by panning and rotating. Panoramas can be linked together by clicking the hotspots. Panoramas are suited for a client-server environment . The client only executes the viewing program, while the server transfers the data upon request. VRML is the description for 3D objects on the web, therefore a panorama is described as a new node type in VRML. For displaying VRML models a browser needs a plug-in. Here we focus on the LivePicture Viewer which is available as a plug-in Version or a Java version. While stitching panoramas together with Photovista, the final result is stored as JPG or FPX image and a second file type IVR is generated as well. This second file is a description according to VRML how to display the image file. The description of complex 3D scenes can be done by editing the IVR file. Since this is a time consuming job, use of an authoring tool is highly recommended.An alternative solution is the use of a Java applet. In this case the client has not to install the viewer but the resolution for a JPEG panorama is limited to 50000 pixel. While using the hierarchical Flashpix format a smaller size of the viewer window increases download speed, the resolution is not limited in this case. The image server software must be running on the server to enable support of FPX file formats.
Examples that follow demonstrate the use of Janorama, a Java applet, and Poor Man`s Virtual Reality. One can verify the HTML code to see how to embed the panoramas. Description of Applet use is available on the Web site of the provider. Janorama is available for free, PMVR requires registration.
