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
- 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, one can rotate in any direction in the panorama at a normal speed and view the room. You just hold down the left mouse button and move in any direction you want. You are also able to determine your location on the map so that you don’t 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. You can zoom in/out the image while the person is static. You just have to scroll the mouse wheel. The good part is that the zooming goes in the direction you want, meaning you have control of the area you want to zoom without the camera changing its view. See Fig 3.
Fig 3. Zoom in / out of the Panorama.
When moving the mouse, the nearby panorama will show up on the floor with an X. You can double click your mouse whenever X shows up to move to your desired place. Be careful that the closer your mouse is to the floor, the easier to get more nearby panoromas show up. In addition, the panoramas behind the walls won't show up, so you should always walk through normal passages. See Fig 4.
Fig 4. Nearest Location of Panorama / Movement between Panorama
As you can see, there are three buttons above the small map. On the left, there's a dropdown list showing different floors. You can choose your desired floor and switch to it just by one click. On the right side, there are floor up and floor down buttons, you can choose to go up or down one floor. Remember, when you are on the highest floor, the floor up button will be disable, and when you are on the lowest floor, the floor down button will be disable! See Fig 5.
Fig 5. Change of Floor
Under the button control, you can see a small map, which contains the plane figure of the current floor. At the top left side, you can use the + and - button to zoom in and out to see the floor structure better. Keep in mind that using your mousewheel to zoom is also possible. Fig 6. shows when you zoom in the small map.
Fig 6. Floor Map.
Next is the Full Screen button in the small map, which allows the user 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 you scroll the mouse and move on the small map, you will see different parts of the plane figure. Fig 7 shows when you use 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 you are looking. You can experience more precise direction on the floor when viewing the panorama.(See Fig 8) The red dot is the panorama that you are currently at, while the black dots are the other panoramas on this floor. You could jump to any place you want on the floor by double clicking the closest 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 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. See Fig 10.
Fig 10. ivPointsLayer™ Overview.
At the top left of Panorama there is a control menu. Click on the first button to call out the settings menu. Click on the second button to toggle full screen. Click on the third button to show or hide the additional information. Click on the fourth button to show or hide the operating instructions. The fifth and sixth buttons are used to import or export json data. The seventh button is used to hide the menu. See Fig 11.
Fig 11. Control Menu.
At the top right of the panorama there is a "liste" button. By clicking on this button a number of predefined viewing points will be displayed and by clicking on them the user will be taken to different locations in the room. 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 12.
Fig 12. List Menu.