| VRML, which stands for virtual reality markup | | | | VR components offer many advantages to web |
| language, is a technology for animation and 3D | | | | site designers. They make web sites more |
| modeling that lets you create 3D scenes for | | | | interesting and interactive, provide more detail for |
| websites. A special VRML browser plug in lets you | | | | objects or places than regular flat photos, there is |
| control the viewing of VRML components on web | | | | no need for complex programming to add a VR |
| sites. Panoramas are another type of virtual | | | | component to your web site , and they generally |
| reality component, similar in some ways to VRML | | | | have cross-platform and cross-browser |
| in that the user needs a special plug in to view | | | | compatibility. Some disadvantages include |
| and control the viewing of the panoramic virtual | | | | requirement of a plug in for viewing, (in many |
| reality component. However, unlike VRML | | | | cases), long download time for some web VR |
| panoramas are made up of a series of | | | | components, depending on the file size and type, |
| photographs stitched together to create one | | | | and the needed skills and creativity for quality |
| image that you can view entirely as you move | | | | output. |
| your cursor across the image. | | | | Many software programs, such as Caligari's |
| Web designers add virtual reality (VR) | | | | TrueSpace, Micrografx Simply 3D, Silicon Graphics |
| components to web pages for several reasons, | | | | Internet 3D Space Builder, and Platinum |
| including to make web pages more interesting and | | | | Technology's VRCreator learning edition, |
| interactive, and to display an item in a 3D view. | | | | automatically creat VRML files for you. |
| Some common formats for panoramas include | | | | Some software options for panorama creation |
| Quick Time VR, VRML2, Black Diamond's | | | | include Apple's Quick Time VR Authoring Studio, |
| Surround Video, and Infinite Pictures SmoothMove. | | | | Enroute Imaging's QuickStitch 360, Video Brush |
| VRML offers uses for many types of websites, | | | | Corporation's VideoBrush Panorama, Live Picture's |
| including entertainment, education, computer aided | | | | Photo Vista, Infinite Picture's Smooth Move, |
| design, product marketing, virtual malls, and much | | | | Ulead's Cool 360, and Black Diamond's Surround |
| more. Panoramas are useful for these same | | | | Video. |
| types of websites, as well as real estate and | | | | Now, go forth and CREATE! |
| travel. | | | | |