2012 SURF: Web-based Virtual Tours

Web-based Virtual Tours: An Investigation into Practicality and Best Practices with Google Maps

With the release of version 2 of the Google Maps Application Programming Interface (API)1, Google introduced a new feature that allowed programmers to use custom panoramas with Google's API to render 360 degree horizontal panoramas in a web page. We decided to attempt to create a web-based virtual tour application using our own panoramas and custom code interfacing with the Maps API.

The pilot building for the project was the John Mitchell Center at the University of Southern Maine's Gorham campus, home to the Engineering and Technology Departments.

Start Slideshow

Virtual Tours 1: Photography Panoramic photos were taken using a Gigapan robotic tripod mount and Canon T12. View Full-Size	Virtual Tours 2: Creating Panoramas A script was developed using Hugin software to stitch the photos in 360 degrees. View Full-Size
Virtual Tours 3: Database Schema A database schema was developed to supply the web application with required data View Full-Size	Virtual Tours 4: Web Site A web site was developed including administration functionality and user access. View Full-Size
Virtual Tours 5: Page Layout Page layout includes: Map, Photos, Location, Links; map view is most visible. View Full-Size	Virtual Tours 6: JMC Tour JMC labs and classrooms can be virtually toured by users anywhere in the world. View Full-Size