User Documentation
This document provides supporting information for users 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, users are 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
- 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, users can rotate in any direction in the panorama at a normal speed and view the room. Users just hold down the left mouse button and move in any direction. Users are 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. Users can zoom in and out of the image from where they are standing, by scrolling the mouse wheel. The good part is that the zooming goes in the direction where users want, meaning users have control of the area they want to zoom, without the changing the view of camera. 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. Users can move to their desired loacation where the X shows up, by double clicking the mouse. Be careful that 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 users 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. On the left, there's a dropdown list showing different floors. Users can choose desired floor and switch to it by clicking. On the right side, there are floor up and floor down buttons, Users can go up or down the stairs. Remember, when users are on the highest floor, the floor up button will be disabled, and when users are 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, users can see a small map, which contains the plane figure of the current floor. At the top left side, users can use the + and - button to zoom in and out to see the floor structure better. Keep in mind that using mousewheel to zoom 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 users to view the map in the full screen mode, and close the full screen mode either by clicking the Close Full Screen button or pressing the esc button on the keyboard. In addition, when users scroll the mouse and move on the small map, users will see different parts of the plane figure. 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 users are looking. Users can experience more precise direction on the floor when viewing the panorama.(See Fig 8) The red dot is the panorama where users are currently at, while the black dots are the other panoramas on this floor. Users 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.
ivPointsLayer™ is a plugin, that is developed by Büren & Partner Software-Design for displaying and managing specific items in the room. The 3D Viewer with the plugin already installed 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 showed, 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™.