Virtual Tour for the Charles Dickens Museum

This report, prepared for the Charles Dickens Museum, details the development and implementation of a virtual tour of the museum in order to allow more complete access for those with disabilities. Our team conducted research about different media used in virtual tours, and then created prototypes using them. Using the feedback we received about them, along with visitor surveys about aspects of the actual museum visit, we created a virtual tour which the Museum then made available through the internet

Virtual reality learning resources in building pathology

Building surveying students must be capable of analysing the condition of buildings and their components and, where this falls below an agreed standard, make recommendations for their repair. Hence university courses must provide opportunities for students to learn about the main causes of deterioration. Fieldwork exercises are essential but there are often problems locating appropriate buildings, programming visits to satisfy course timetables and complying with health and safety requirements. Whilst virtual surveys of existing buildings are not considered to be a substitute for real-life educational visits, this paper critically examines the development of a novel building pathology educational resource. Alternative technologies for creating digital panoramas are examined, prior to the development of an interactive case study, which enables students to conduct an on-line survey of a Grade 1 listed 16th Century hunting lodge. 360 degree panoramic scenes are linked with hot spots to create an interactive virtual tour of the building. The paper considers how virtual resources can be embedded within the curriculum, gauges tutor reaction to case study materials and identifies opportunities for the development of a suite of building pathology educational media-rich learning materials

Exploring Campus through Web-Based Immersive Adventures Using Virtual Reality Photography: A Low-Cost Virtual Tour Experience

This study aims to assess the incorporation of virtual reality (VR) photography into the web-based immersive application “virtual interactive campus tour (VICT).” This application offers users an immersive experience, allowing them to virtually explore university campuses and access information about the facilities and services available. The VICT application offers a cost-effective, attractive, and sustainable alternative for universities to display their resources and interact with potential students. Through black box testing, we conducted user acceptance testing (UAT) and functionality testing, confirming the application’s readiness for deployment and its capability to meet institutional and end-user requirements. This study also examined the potential for universities to use VR to meet the expectations of prospective students. The application is compatible with both desktop and mobile devices. The results indicated that the overall average validity score was 0.88, suggesting that the measure is valid. The validation results were thoroughly tested and reliable. This study emphasizes the potential of immersive web-based tours in higher education and aims to bridge the divide between virtual exploration and physical visits. By offering an immersive virtual campus experience, this innovative tool has the potential to revolutionize university marketing strategies, increase student engagement, and transform campus visit approaches

Maple Farm Sanctuary Virtual Tour

The purpose of this project was to create a virtual tour for Maple Farm Sanctuary (MFS), a non-profit organization who provides care/shelter to abused/neglected farm animals. We worked with MFS leadership to produce a virtual tour with the most realistic representation of the sanctuary. The tour design and content was influenced by survey/focus group feedback as well as our research on other sanctuaires outreach efforts. An interactive map with videos and educational content was the final product

Caracterización geométrica y visualización interactiva 3d del patrimonio histórico y artístico en la provincia de Cáceres (España)

[EN] The three-dimensional (3D) visualization of historical and cultural heritage in the province of Cáceres is essential for tourism promotion. This study uses panoramic spherical photography and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) for the geometric characterization and cataloguing of sites of cultural interest, according to the principles of the Charter of Krakow. The benefits of this project include improved knowledge dissemination of the cultural heritage of Cáceres in a society that demands state-of-the-art tourist information. In this sense, this study has three specific aims: to develop a highly reliable methodology for modeling heritage based on a combination of non-destructive geomatics methods; to design and develop software modules for interactive 3D visualization of models; and to promote knowledge of the historical and cultural heritage of Cáceres by creating a hypermedia atlas accessible via the Internet. Through this free-of-charge hypermedia atlas, the tourist accesses 3D photographic and interactive scenes, videos created by 3D point clouds obtained from laser scanning and 3D models available for downloading in ASCII format, and thus acquire a greater knowledge of the touristic attractions in the province of Cáceres.[ES] La visualización tridimensional (3D) del patrimonio histórico-cultural en la provincia de Cáceres es una herramienta vital para su promoción turística. Este trabajo emplea la fotografía panorámica esférica y el uso del escáner láser terrestre para la caracterización geométrica de los bienes de interés cultural, así como su catalogación, de acuerdo a los principios de la Carta de Cracovia. El beneficio de este proyecto es alcanzar un mayor conocimiento del patrimonio cultural de Cáceres para una sociedad que demanda información turística actualizada. En este sentido, hay tres objetivos específicos en el trabajo: desarrollar una metodología de alto grado de fiabilidad para la modelización del patrimonio basado en la combinación de diferentes métodos geomáticos no destructivos; diseñar y desarrollar módulos de software para la visualización interactiva de modelos 3D; y promover el conocimiento del patrimonio histórico de Cáceres mediante la creación de un atlas hipermedia accesible en Internet. A través del atlas hipermedia, el turista accede gratuitamente a los escenarios fotográficos tridimensionales e interactivos, los videos a partir de las nubes de puntos 3D adquiridas con láser escáner y a la descarga de los modelos 3D en formato ASCII, adquiriendo un mayor conocimiento de los atractivos turísticos de la provincia de Cáceres.The article has been possible thanks to the funding granted by the Junta de Extremadura and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), through the reference aid GR15069 for the research groups NEXUS and DESOSTE. In addition, the present work was developed under the 2013 Plan of Initiation to Research of the University of Extremadura within the Program Orientated at Projects of Initiation to Research called Action VII, financed by the Provincial Government in Cáceres. We also thank the Regional Government of Extremadura for providing aerial images. The authors would like to thank Alan D.J. Atkinson Gordo, José Antonio Gutiérrez Gallego, Juan Antonio Pérez Alvárez, Mercedes Jiménez Muñoz, Manuel Sánchez Fernández and David Díaz Paredes for the guidance received. Likewise, thanks are also extended to Mr. Fergus Crystal and Mr. Giles Petty for help with revising the English version of this text.Naranjo, JM.; Parrilla, Á.; De Sanjosé, JJ. (2018). Geometric characterization and interactive 3D visualization of historical and cultural heritage in the province of Cáceres (Spain). Virtual Archaeology Review. 9(18):1-11. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2018.601011191

The specification and design of an interactive virtual environment for use in teacher training

In this paper, we examine the rationale behind the specification and design of an interactive, virtual environment, optimized for particular task-based learning activities and the dissemination of information. The software we describe represents a typical British primary school, for use in training Information and Communications Technology (ICT)co-ordinators at primary level. By documenting our ongoing evaluation of both this resource and the technologies used in its implementation, we provide a detailed description of the production process of a prototype piece of software. This highlights the importance of pedagogy, new technologies and project management, and should be of particular interest to multimedia designers and academics preparing to develop innovative learning applications

Bar Harbor Project Center Trail View: Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is home to over 125 miles of highly visited trails in coastal Maine. A pressing goal of the park is nature preservation and public outreach. The goal of the Trail View project was to document and make these trails more accessible using 360-degree panoramic photos. These photos were compiled and geotagged to be assembled online in virtual tours. This allows potential hikers and people with disabilities to view the trails. Previous WPI Trail View teams have demonstrated proof of concept, completing 7.2 miles of trails. Building on their foundation, this year’s team used cameras that captured 360-degree photos. Using this method, 64.6 miles of trails were recorded. These trail views will be made available on the Acadia National Park website