Production in 360°
Our studio specialises in creating Insites.
We can offer a full service including developing information content or collaborate with our clients by providing the professional visual elements and allowing them to build their own content.
How is an Insite created?
There are three stages to creating an Insite.
Step 1
Capture the space accurately using 360º photography
Step 2
Build the 3-D navigation so that it can be explored online
Step 3
Embed media & information into the space
Are Insites DIY?
At the moment stages 1+2 reqire professional techniques and equipment and are done by our expert technicians. Stage 3 is done using our authoring tools and CMS and can be undertaken by any user.
Production Workflow
The process of building an insite usually begins with 360º photography, video & stills photography on location. Then the 3-D site is constructed using the panoramic images and measurements taken on site. The user interface is then styled with fonts and colours. Then the media and text content is added. The site is then prepared for delivery and tested and then released via a series range of different delivery methods and devices.
Visual Capture & Creation
The creation of this space as a 360° panorama tour can be achieved using photography or 3D computer graphics or a combination of the two. Animations are overlaid in the 360° space in stop motion sequences. Avatars are video sequences which are also overlaid within the space. All of this is generated and post produced at this stage of the process so that the visual material is available for building the three-dimensional site.
3D site construction
The 3-D simulation is generated by connecting a series of 360° panoramic points of view in a three-dimensional space so that each view is visible from the other and you can move between them as if you were moving in space.The simulation is built in a 3D software called Blender which outputs code which is recognised by the insites platform.
The result of this is a 360º tour website with navigation points at eye level, floor level and some in the form of arrows. At this stage we normally also add a map which represents the position of these navigation points in 2D and also as a floating three-dimensional map.The final stage of this process is the addition of animations, alternate views and avatars where required.
Interface Design
The experience of navigating through the three-dimensional space and accessing information is achieved using the user interface.
Insites has developed a minimal and stylish UI which can be adapted to fit with the corporate identity of our clients across a full range of platforms including VR, touch devices and desktop browsers.
The interface can be customised through the styling and design of the map, the design of the icons, the placement of ab branded logo and the fonts and colours of the text elements of the user interface.
A video sequence can also be placed as an introduction to the site. It plays when the site is first loaded and before the 360 tour begins.
Text and media content
One of the fundamental concepts of insites is to present text and media in context with a space. Our aim is to make the handling and creation of media and text as simple as possible and accessible both to our clients and our team. This also includes the ability to revise an edit the content over the lifetime of the insite.
The essential core of this process is our CMS. It allows for complex text editing and organising of data and links. Our goal is to give immediate feedback for any changes made within the same house which then makes the process of approval and editing quicker and allows for more creativity.
The options for adding content is in what we cool products which are triggered from hotspots placed in the three-dimensional space.They contain normally a panel of text and images or videos in a panel above. They can however be designed to show just one of either or even a PDF or link. It is also possible to add text in the info panel which is below the menu bar at the bottom of the site and can contain large amount of text and images.
Delivery and Accesss devices
Multiplattform
Many VR providers will claim multi platform compatibility. Usually they favour one platform over the others and much of the functionality is restricted or buggy in secondary platforms.
Insites is specifically optimised for the platform on which it’s being delivered to take advantage of each device’s unique capabilities
VR Headsets
Insites play with native web browsers found on Oculus, Pico and Vive headsets. The functionality available is equivalent to that found on the desktop and mobile versions of insites. Access to these can be monetised using a learning management system.
Desktop PCs
In business to business communication the PC is still n essential tool. Insites utilises the ease of access and control that desktop browsers provide while ensuring that all available browsers are checked and compatible.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones open the possibility to the immersive experience using a cardboard style holder for the mobile phone. This is very simple to set up and can be distributed to users and a very low cost. The limitation of cardboard VR is that there is no separate control so all clicking and selecting is done using a single floating cursor which works by waiting for a click to take place.
Tablets and other Touch Devices
Tablets offer the huge advantage of touch control combined with a larger screen and gyroscopic control. Insites utilises this to provide a less clicky and more smooth – low energy user experience.
No need to move your finger around the screen but simply to hover the “Puck” over the object you wish to access keeping your hands on either side of the device like a steering wheel.