Among the ways of presenting companies, goods and services, 3D panoramas and virtual tours are gaining popularity. The user gets the opportunity to "virtually" visit the desired place. See the great canvases and masterpieces of architecture, stroll through the elite shops and streets of distant cities, just visit a hotel room or the cabin of an airplane.

What is a virtual tour? How does it create a sense of presence and in what areas can it be applied?

The essence of the virtual tour
First, a virtual tour is one way of presenting visual information. It allows you to recreate a three-dimensional space with many elements on the screen as realistically as possible. In virtual space, you can travel in a given direction, approach an interesting object, raise your head, look around or under your feet.

Secondly, the virtual tour is a combination of several photo panoramas. Panoramic images outperform conventional photographs with interactive viewing capabilities. The user controls the viewing, moving from one panorama to another, makes a virtual tour.

3D panoramas
Spherical panoramas are usually used to create a virtual tour. 360 ° x 180 ° sphere-shaped image. When viewing, you can "circle" around yourself (360 °) and look around the virtual room from floor to ceiling (180 °). The illusion of presence and the 3D effect are complemented by the fact that you can approach or move away from the selected point. Therefore, spherical photo panoramas are called 3D panoramas, and virtual tours are called 3D tours.

A virtual tour can also include other elements, such as cylindrical panoramas, simple photographs, 3D objects, videos, information windows and explanations. Cylindrical panoramas have a smaller viewing angle than spherical ones. It is easier to create such a photo, but the absence of the highest (zenith) and lowest (nadir) points of view weakens the effect of presence. You can look around only horizontally, "around", and vertical space is limited.

Panoramas are collected from a large number of frames. Distortion due to spherical projection makes it impossible to fully view the panorama in print or as a graphic file. This requires a computer and appropriate software.

The virtual tour can have a map or plan. The user travels from one panorama to another, using links (hotspots) to navigate. Links or anchor points are positioned on the image, taking into account the plan.

The panorama and the entire 3D tour as a whole can be voiced and provided with musical accompaniment. Sounds or melodies that play after clicking are added to links. The use of music, slideshows, videos and many other elements makes the virtual tour interesting and dynamic.

Virtual tours have several positive aspects that are beneficial not only for the company presenting the product or service, but also for the visitor and viewer.

Benefits of virtual 3D tours
availability and time savings;
a more complete and informative perception of a space, product or service than in a photograph;
the ability to consider details and objects from a convenient angle;
moving in an order and pace more comfortable for the viewer;
the effect of immersion, the impression of a real presence at the object remains;
the virtual tour literally "grabs" attention, before the virtual trip and in the process of viewing, the user has interest, aesthetic pleasure and other emotions.
Application possibilities
3D tours are becoming more and more popular and are used in many fields of activity. They are being actively implemented on the websites of many companies. The demand for services for the creation of virtual tours is growing.

Spherical panoramas open up new opportunities in the field of business and marketing, making it possible to show a product or service in a special way. For shopping and entertainment centers, shops, car dealerships, restaurants and other facilities, this is not only a way to convey to the consumer complete information about a product or service, but also an advertising tool.

Virtual tours can be used by healthcare providers, fitness centers, sports clubs and beauty salons. Spherical panoramas are indispensable for showing spaces and rooms. With the help of panoramas, the future guest will see the atmosphere of the institution and the availability of modern equipment.

The creation of virtual tours in the hospitality industry is a very convenient innovation. Those wishing to book a room can make a virtual trip through the hotel halls and rooms.

Before buying a ticket for a plane, airlines offer to view 3D panoramas of airliners' cabins.

In the field of real estate services, a virtual tour makes it possible to view and select real estate online (APARTMENT or HOUSE as examples). The future owner will inspect the house from the outside and from the inside, examine the details of the interior and the area where it is located. The client can get acquainted with the object without visiting it, sitting at home, which significantly saves the time of the buyer and the seller. The process of purchasing houses in other cities is also simplified.

World famous, as well as some Russian real estate firms have already adopted this technology. The high popularity of tours is evidenced by statistics (data from "Realtor.com"). 40% more customers visit sites with 3D tours. 80% of buyers must watch virtual tours before contacting a real estate company.

Cafes and restaurants demonstrate their unique interior and atmosphere with the help of 3D tours. The future visitor gets the opportunity to choose and book a table via the Internet.

For designers, construction and interior decorators, 3D tours are a great way to present their work with a virtual portfolio of 3D panoramas.

There was such a thing as virtual tourism. You can see exotic islands, cultural centers, complexes of ancient monuments and protected corners of the world without leaving your home. Viewing 3D panoramas is very useful when planning a vacation. Spherical panoramas realistically convey the splendor of natural landscapes. Sanatoriums and recreation centers can use the services of creating virtual tours to show the guest houses and the picturesque nature around.

The relevance of virtual tours in the field of culture is due to the growing interest in numerous cultural events. 3D presentations of museums, exhibitions and photo galleries become available to a wide range of connoisseurs. A virtual tour is a great way to present theaters, temples and landmarks.

3D tours can be widely applied in the field of education. They present information in an accessible and interesting way.

Thus, the creation of virtual tours is a very promising direction. Tours can be successfully applied in many areas of activity: from business to cultural sphere.