User Documentation
This document provides supporting information for user on how to use the 3D Panorama viewer. It illustrates the various components and their relationships with each other. With the help of this document, user is able to understand how to access and apply this web application.
The 3D Panorama Viewer Web Application applies technology-based solution with primary functions that enables:
- Access 3D Viewer directly through browser
- Rotation of the Panorama
- Zoom-in / out of the Panorama
- Nearest Location of Panorama / Movement between Panorama
- Change of floor
- Floor Map
- Navigation via Keyboard
- A Plugin Example - ivPointsLayer™
This 3D Viewer web application can be easily accessed via https://50-jahre-informatik.cs.fau.de.
Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended for accessing this web application. The data (model) to be displayed by the Panorama viewer is stored in the web server and transmitted to the web browser. Fig. 1 shows the start page of the 3D Viewer.
Fig. 1: Start Page of the 3D Viewer
With the mouse or touch-pad, user can rotate in any direction in the panorama at a normal speed and view the room. User needs to just hold down the left mouse button and move in any direction. User is also able to view the location on the map in case they get lost. See Fig. 2.
Fig. 2: Rotation of the Panorama
The function of zooming and viewing an image from a distance is also present. User can zoom-in and -out of the image from where they are standing by scrolling the mouse wheel, See Fig. 3.
Fig. 3: Zoom in / out of the Panorama
When moving the mouse, the position of the panorama, which has the nearest distance to the mouse, is marked with an X. User can move to their desired loacation where the X shows up by double clicking the left mouse button. If the cursor is too far from the ground to the ceiling, the mesh will disapper. In addition, the panoramas behind the walls won't show up, so user should always walk through normal passages. See Fig. 4.
Fig. 4: Nearest Location of Panorama / Movement between Panorama
There are three buttons above the small map, which help with the user navigation. On the left, there's a dropdown menu showing different floors. User can choose desired floor and switch to it by clicking on it. On the right side, there are floor up and floor down buttons. User can go up or down the stairs. If the user is already on the highest floor, the floor up button will be disabled, and when the user is on the lowest floor, the floor down button will be disabled. Both buttons are disabled if there is only one floor from the dataset. See Fig. 5.
Fig. 5: Change of Floor
Under the button control, user can see a small map, which contains the plane figure of the current floor. At the top left side, user can use the + and - button to zoom-in and -out to see the floor structure better. Using mousewheel to zoom-in and -out is also possible. Fig. 6 shows when you zoom in the small map.
Fig. 6: Floor Map
The next is the Full Screen button in the small map, which allows user to view the map in the full screen mode. The user can close the full screen mode either by clicking the Close Full Screen button or pressing the ESC button on the keyboard. In addition, when user scrolls the mouse on the small map, different parts of the plane figure will be shown. Fig. 7 shows the map with full screen mode.
Fig. 7: Full Screen Mode of the Map.
The last part of the small map is the red triangle and the dots. The red triangle shows which direction user is looking at. User can experience more precise direction on the floor when viewing the panorama. (See Fig. 8) The red dot is the panorama, where user is currently at, while the black dots are the other panoramas on this floor. User could jump to any place on the same floor by double clicking the black dot. (See Fig. 9)
Fig. 8: Viewing Direction of the User
Fig. 9: User Standing Location and Fast Movement by Map
The 3D panorama viewer can also be navigated by users' keyboard. By pressing ↑ or ↓, users can step forward or backward to another panorama. By pressing ← or →, users can turn the viewing direction to left or right. By pressing U or D, users can go up or down the stairs. By pressing + or -, users can zoom in or out the panorama.
ivPointsLayer™ is a plug-in, that is developed by Büren & Partner Software-Design for displaying and managing specific items in the room.
The 3D Viewer with the installed plug-in can be accessed via https://50-jahre-informatik.cs.fau.de/FAU_POIs/.
Different functions are available to the user by controlling the menu located on the top of the Panorama.
By clicking on "liste" button on the top right corner, a number of predefined viewing points are shown and corresponding panoramas with items will be displayed by clicking on them. A description of the items placed in these locations is shown in the menu in the bottom left corner of the panorama. From this menu, the user can change the items' status, which includes: "In operation", "Malfunction" and "Under repair". (See Fig. 10)
Fig. 10: ivPointsLayer™