Table of Contents. 1 Panotour Installation and registration INSTALLATION REGISTRATION...1

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2 Table of Contents 1 Panotour Installation and registration INSTALLATION REGISTRATION Panotour Prerequisites FLASH CONFIGURATION Panotour Interface PRESENTATION OF THE INTERFACE CUSTOMIZING THE INTERFACE Panotour Interface - Toolbar Open project Panotour Interface - Main Window NAVIGATION SELECTION EDITING Panotour Interface - Hotspot Editor PRINCIPLE HOTSPOT EDITOR INTERFACE Panotour Interface - 3D Editor PRINCIPLE D EDITOR INTERFACE Panotour Interface - Tour Properties Set as default parameters Panotour Interface - Quick Export Panotour Interface - History Panotour Project Properties Panotour Project Properties - Appearance Panotour Project Properties - Behaviour Panotour Project Properties - Extra THUMBNAILS LOGO PANORAMA LIST Panotour Project Properties - Tour Build Panotour Panorama Properties Panotour Panorama Properties - Pictures SPHERICAL PANORAMA (360 x180 ) PARTIAL PANORAMA (< 360 x180 ) Panotour Panorama Properties - Projection Panotour Panorama Properties - View Panotour Hotspot Properties Panotour Hotspot Properties - Link Panotour Hotspot Properties - Display HOTSPOT POINT POLYGON HOTSPOT RECTANGLE HOTSPOT Panotour Preferences Panotour Preferences - Performances Panotour Preferences - Global Panotour Glossary FLASH SWF Hotspot XML...33 i

3 1 Panotour Installation and registration 1.1 INSTALLATION 1. If you have already downloaded the software corresponding to your operating system, go directly to step Go to the link below to download the version corresponding to your operating system: Download Panotour 3. Installation: Installation on Windows Open the downloaded file (file.exe) and launch the installation. Installation on Mac The downloaded file (file.dmg) will automatically open on a virtual disk on your desktop. 2 icons are shown: The software icon and the Applications shortcut icon. Drag the software icon into the Applications shortcut. Installation on Linux Open the downloaded file (file.deb or.tar.gz) and launch the installation. At this point, the installed version is the trial version of the software. This version is not limited in time and all its features are available. The virtual tours created will show a "demo version" logo; you will not be able to publish them on internet. 1.2 REGISTRATION You can only register your license if you have already purchased the software. To buy a Kolor software visit our online store. After purchasing a Kolor software, you will receive an confirmation with your invoice in PDF format. This invoice contains your license (username and registration key). These 2 elements are needed to register your software and to unlock the complete version: 1. Launch your software. 2. A welcome window containing information relating to the trial version appears. 3. Click on Register, a new window opens. 4. Enter your username and registration key in the required fields. You will find this information on your invoice or client account. 5. Click on OK, a message will warn you that your registration was successful. 1

4 2 Panotour Prerequisites 2.1 FLASH CONFIGURATION Flash Player / Compatibility Panotour allows users to create virtual tours in Flash format. In order to read the tours generated, your computer needs the Flash player. Normally, it is already installed on your computer. If this is not the case or if you want to download the latest version for free, you can get it at this page: Download the Flash reader. Version 9 (minimum) of the Flash reader is needed for viewing the virtual tours. We still recommended that you use version 10 (onwards). The management of 3D elements has greatly improved between the 2 versions, distortion effects may appear (slightly wavy straight lines) if version 9 is used Display locally (from your computer) The Flash items (file.swf) are primarily intended for use on the internet, you need to configure the secured files to execute them locally, or from your computer and not from the internet. Indeed, some elements can be loaded only if you set one (or several) trusted folder, ie, allow to the folder(s) where you export your tours to load content items to completely visualize the tour, to open URL links... etc. The secured files can be configured from the web interface Global security settings panel. Set one or several trusted folders Select Toujours autoriser. Then click on Modifier... on the drop-down list and select Ajouter... then Rechercher un dossier. A file browser window will appear. In the browser, select the folder to which you grant trust to the flash player (the folder where you export your tours). The selected folder is then added to the list of the interface in the white box (you can renew the process if you want to set other trusted folders). 2

5 3 Panotour Interface 3.1 PRESENTATION OF THE INTERFACE The Panotour Pro interface is divided into 5 areas by default: The Toolbar groups all of the Panotour essential functions. The Main window lets you quickly visualize the entire project and select the various elements to edit. The hotspot Editor lets you edit the graphics of the selected panorama. It also lets you add and change the hotspots. The 3D Editor authorizes the setting of 3D navigation parameters in the final rendering. The Tour properties, divided in 3 tabs, allow for the manual changing of selected properties or elements. 2 other windows are optional, the Quick export window and the History window. You can see them from the Display menu, which is explained later on this page. 3.2 CUSTOMIZING THE INTERFACE You can organize the workspace as you wish. To do this, you have to click on the title bar of a window and drag it out of its original location: If you release your window while a gray box appears in the interface, the window that you have selected will be lodged in place of the grey area. A window fixed to the main interface is called docked. If on the contrary, no gray area appears when you release your window, it will be rendered floating, which means that it will no longer be geographically connected to the rest of the interface. To render a window floating, click on the icon on the title bar of each window. You can also choose which windows will be visible / invisible in the View menu. Checked windows are visible; the unchecked windows are not visible. Thus, checking or unchecking a window will either make it visible or invisible in the interface. By default, the following windows are visible in the interface: Note that the customization of the interface does not affect the proper functioning of tools. 3

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7 4 Panotour Interface - Toolbar 4.1 Open project Lets you open a file project (.kpt) Save project The virtual tour project files have the ".kpt" extension. The following choices can be accessed by clicking on the small arrow on the right of the icon: Save the project Save the project in the same place as the last update. If this is the first time it is saved, Panotour launches "Save the project as...". Save the project as... Opens a folder browser so that you can give the project a name and indicate where it will be saved. Save the project (extended) as... Same function as "Save the project as...". Panotour also creates a file with the same name as the project and puts all the elements used to create the project here. This is useful when you want to transfer your completed project on a third party support (USB key, hard disk, CD, etc.) so that you can open it on another machine Close project Lets you close a project (.kpt) Undo/Redo Lets you undo/redo editing actions Add panorama Lets you add one or more panoramas to the current project. Panotour will display this panorama (or these panoramas) in the center window Build tour Lets you export the virtual tour in flash format (.swf). Clicking on the small arrow to the right of the icon gives access to the following choices: Build tour Saves the virtual tour at the same location as the last backup. If this is the first time it is saved, Panotour launches "Build tour as...". Build tour as... Opening a folder browser lets you select the location to save the virtual tour View last built tour Lets you see the last imported project Contextual help Click on this icon to activate the tool. Click on the desired icon to view information regarding its use. 5

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9 5 Panotour Interface - Main Window The central window lets you see the all elements of a project (panoramas, hotspots, links, etc.) and select them so that they can be edited. The panoramas are represented as thumbnails, the hotspots as circles, triangles or squares (according to type) and the links between the panoramas as arrows. 5.1 NAVIGATION The mouse wheel zooms in/out to change the size of items displayed. When the scene is not fully visible, it is possible to move in it with: the scroll boxes. the arrow keys. the mouse (left click on the bottom of the scene to move with the mouse). The name of the picture appears when you hover over it with the mouse. 5.2 SELECTION Each selected item is squared in white (the hotspots are filled with gray to enhance visual contrast). Select an element by clicking on it. Hold down the "Ctrl" key (PC)/"Command"(Mac) key to select multiple items. "Ctrl+A" (PC)/"Cmd+A"(Mac) selects all panoramas and hotspots. 5.3 EDITING Panoramas can be moved with a simple drag and drop. To connect a hotspot to a panorama, select the hotspot and slide it towards the desired panorama: This link is symbolized by an arrow (the arrow is only visible when the hotspot is selected). All links exiting a Panorama appear when selected. A panorama can be deleted via the contextual menu (right click on the panorama in question) or by using the "Delete" key. Hotspots can only be deleted through the contextual menu in the center window (right click on the spot). 7

10 6 Panotour Interface - Hotspot Editor 6.1 PRINCIPLE The hotspot editor is the workspace that allows you to add hotspots and to adjust the field of view of the different panoramas. A panorama is viewed in the hotspot editor when it is selected in the central window. 6.2 HOTSPOT EDITOR INTERFACE Toolbar Select Click and drag the panorama to move the view of the preview. This lets you select the hotspots (but they cannot be moved). You can obtain a full screen by double clicking. When the "space" key is held, the Select tool is automatically activated no matter what tool is currently being used Fullscreen Displays the full screen preview: If the window is floating, it will use the screen to which it belongs. If the window is docked, it uses a different screen from where the application is located (if possible) Add polygon Traces a hotspot defined by several points (3 minimum). Each click adds a point to the polygon being traced. When the last point is close to first, the polygon is automatically closed and added as a hotspot to the panorama. The traced lines automatically adapt to the deformations applied in the panorama. The outlines of objects distorted by the spherical projection will then be easily drawn Add rectangle Same principle as the polygonal hotspot, limited to 4 points. The tracing of the 4th point is automatically oriented so that the polygon drawn is a perfect rectangle in the virtual tour. It has different properties from other hotspots and lets you display video content. 8

11 Add point Each click adds a point type hotspot to the position indicated by the mouse Add Lens flare Each click will add a lens reflection effect to the position indicated by the mouse Crop Limits the visible area of the panorama to the final rendering Previous Lets you select the previous panorama (according to the order in which the panoramas were added to a project) Next Lets you select the next panorama (according to the order in which the panoramas were added to a project) Display and edition area Display The panorama selected in the center window displays here. It is possible to zoom into the window via the mouse wheel and move in the edit box using the arrow keys. These actions are also available when editing an item Edition To edit an element, the corresponding tool must be selected (from the toolbar). When the elements can be edited they are yellow, when the can not be edited they are black. When an element is editable, you can: Adjust the position of a point by dragging and dropping. Delete it via the contextual menu (right click) or with the "delete" key. 9

12 7 Panotour Interface - 3D Editor 7.1 PRINCIPLE Any item selected in the main window is displayed in the 3D editor. The 3D editor displays a preview of the final scene so that you can edit its visual settings D EDITOR INTERFACE Toolbar Fullscreen Lets you use a full screen. If the window is floating, it will use the screen to which it belongs. If the window is docked, it will use a screen different from that in which the application is found (if possible) Set as default view (or Set as hotspot view) Sets the default view for the selected item (panorama or hotspot): Panorama default view will be used as a starting point for this panorama when viewing the tour. Hotspot default view will be used to create dynamic transitions between the panoramas. This option is only available when only one hotpot (connected to an image) is selected in the main window. Position the desired point of view in the preview and then click the icon with the mouse to apply the setting. Right click in the preview to select "Set as default view" (or "Set as hotspot view") in the contextual menu to apply. The saved setting appears in the View tab of the panorama Properties Set as zoom max Sets the desired maximum zoom level. Position the desired maximum zoom level with the preview and the mouse wheel and then click on the icon to apply the setting. A right click in the preview lets you choose "Set as zoom max" in the contextual menu so that you can apply it. The saved setting can be seen in the View tab of the panorama Properties. If the icon is dimmed, the "Limit the zoom to the image resolution" option is checked in the Zoom limits tab of the View tab Set as zoom min Sets the desired minimum zoom level. Position the desired minimum zoom level with the preview and the mouse wheel and then click on the icon to apply the setting. A right click in the preview lets you choose "Set as zoom min" in the contextual menu so that you can apply it. 10

13 The saved setting can be seen in the View Panorama properties tab Previous Allows you to select: The previous panorama (according to the order in which the panoramas were added to the project) The view of the previous hotspot (if the view is that of a hotspot) Next This lets you select: the previous panorama (according to the order in which the panoramas were added to the project) the view of the next hotspot (if the view is that of a hotspot) Quality Lets you adjust the preview resolution quality level. The following choices are available when clicking on the small arrow beside the icon: Low quality Medium quality High quality Preview The 3D editor window allows for a preview of each element of the final tour. However, the hotspots are not visible and their zoom level limitations are not taken into account. Only the effect of the cropping tool is visible (set in the hotspot editor). 11

14 8 Panotour Interface - Tour Properties The property windows affect all items selected from the central window. Some fields can be directly changed via the graphical tools previously presented. If nothing is selected, these windows are inactive. When numerous elements are selected, the properties that differ are displayed in gray but can still be edited. The tour properties are divided into 3 tabs, documented in 3 different parts: The Project properties The Panorama properties The Hotspot properties All of the tour property tabs contain tools that let you save or reset certain previously defined settings. Not all of the settings can be saved. This includes the image size or angular fields because these parameters differ for each image. 8.1 Set as default parameters Lets you save certain property settings so that they can be used again for future projects Restore default parameters Returns to the last saved state. At the first use, the parameters are set at the application's default settings. 12

15 The Quick Export window lets you directly export a panorama in flash format (.swf). This results in a simple tour, without menus, that only lets you navigate a panorama. 9 Panotour Interface - Quick Export Drag one or more images from the file browser into the quick export window. The number of flash files (.swf) created corresponds to the number of source images provided. The created file(s) have the same name as the source image without the extension and are saved in the same file. 13

16 The History lets you revisit any stage of your work regardless of the changes. 10 Panotour Interface - History Clicking on a step will let you return to the step in which your work was found just after having implemented this step. The and buttons let you navigate in the history. Return to an earlier stage through the history. When you implement an action you will no longer have access to the previously available steps. 14

17 11 Panotour Project Properties The Project properties in this window are applied to the whole project and are thus separate from the current selection. The project properties window consists of the following 4 tabs: The Appearance tab lets you set the tour's viewing options. The Behavior tab lets you set everything related to the tour's animation. The Extra tab lets you set the tour's graphics (map, logo, etc.). The Tour Build tab lets you set the tour's export options. 15

18 12 Panotour Project Properties - Appearance Theme Lets you select a graphic theme for the virtual tour. It defines a set of graphical resources (buttons, hotspots, menu elements, etc.), an overall default colour, a default font and a colour for this font. Color Lets you change the theme colour (if the theme's author authorizes this type of change). Clicking on the color thumbnail will open a color palette so that you can change the theme color. The theme colour will be used to colour the tour's hotspots and control elements. Margin The margin is the space (in pixels) that will be inserted between the edge of the tour window and the elements making up the tour (map, buttons, etc.). Controls bar Template: Defines the elements displayed in the tour so that they can be checked (navigation, zoom, full screen, self-rotation, help). Lets you choose a control bar template. Select a template to view a preview of it. The color of the control elements is the same as the theme color. Help images are proposed for the "help button"of the control models. To select a personalized image, click on "Others...". Text Contains the settings relative to the texts that may appear in your virtual tour, such as the Info bubbles texts. Progress bar Selects the type of animation seen when loading the tour. 16

19 13 Panotour Project Properties - Behaviour First displayed panorama Lets you define which panorama will be displayed when a tour is launched. Auto rotation Check or uncheck the box to enable or disable the auto-rotation Delay: Defines the waiting time (in seconds) between when the user is detected to be inactive and the start of auto-rotation. Speed: Defines the rotation speed (in degrees/second). Splash screen Lets you choose an image that will be displayed while the tour is loading. If a control template with a help button is selected in the Appearance tab, you can choose the help image as the introduction image. Duration: Defines how long the introduction image will be displayed (in seconds). A duration of 0 seconds forces the displayed image to the first click of the mouse when viewing. 17

20 14 Panotour Project Properties - Extra The Extra tab contains a list of configurable elements that can be added to the tour. If no parameters are set in an item's options, the tab will not be shown in the tour THUMBNAILS This lets you enable a bar containing thumbnail previews of each of the tour's panoramas. The bar can be reduced or enlarged with a tab visible in the visit. Each thumbnail is connected to the corresponding panorama. Enable Check or uncheck this box to enable or disable the thumbnails. Position The small box prompts you to select one of the window's sides. This is where the thumbnail bar will be placed. The green dot indicates the position of the bar in the tour's window. Click on one of the other 3 dots to change the position. Start open If this box is checked, the bar will be opened with the tour is launched. If this box is unchecked, the bar will be closed when the tour is launched. The bar opens when the tab is clicked. Close on actions If this box is checked, the bar will shrink when a hotspot interacts with a thumbnail. If this box is unchecked, the bar will close when clicking on the tab. Rows Lets you specify the number of thumbnail rows included on the bar. Keep in mind that each of the tour's panoramas will have its own thumbnail. This setting works in combination with the selected position. Width This lets you define the width and the height (according to the selected position) of the thumbnail bar in pixels (fixed size forced) or in percentage (the size of the display area of the virtual tour). Panorama order This lets you define the order of the panoramas in the thumbnail bar. This setting also affects the order of the panoramas on the panorama list. Click on the name of the panorama and use the "Up" or "Down" buttons to change the order of the panoramas LOGO This lets you add a logo that will be seen throughout the virtual tour. File Use the icon to open a folder browser. Here you can choose the image that you want to use as your logo. The icon lets you delete the selection if it is not suitable. This does not influence the source file in any way. Link This lets you add an active link to an internet address. The address has to be complete: Position The small frame lets you choose a corner of the screen. The logo will be placed here. The green dot indicates the position of the logo in the tour's window. Click on one of the 3 other points to change the position. 18

21 Width/height These boxes are used to resize the image used as a logo. If the 2 values are null, the image will keep its original resolution. If one of the 2 values is not null, the fixed value will be used as a base to calculate the null value in accordance with the image's ratio. If you add 2 values, Panotour Pro will force the values with the risk of distorting the image. You can add these values in pixels (fixed size forced) or in percentages (the size of the display area of the virtual tour) PANORAMA LIST This lets you add a list of panoramas that make up the tour. This list will be visible and accessible throughout the tour. Enable Check or uncheck this box to enable or disable the list of panoramas. Position The small box lets you choose on which side of the window you want to place the list of panoramas. The green dot indicates the position of the list in the tour's window. Click on one of the other points to change the position. Panorama order This lets you define the order of the panoramas on the panorama list. This setting also influences the order of the panoramas on the thumbnail bar. Click on a panorama name and use the "Up" or "Down" buttons to change the order of the panoramas. 19

22 15 Panotour Project Properties - Tour Build The export parameters lets you set the way the visit will be generated and to also restrict its use to certain areas. Pictures export Always: Force the calculation of the images at each export. Automatic: (default) Calculates the images automatically. At the first export, the "always" function is used. Following the changes, Pantour may not calculate the images. Never: Forces Panotour to never calculate the images. Embed all data Lets you choose if the flash file includes different tour elements (graphic elements, images, etc.) or not. However, videos and sounds can never be included. Use the button for more details on how to use this option. If the option is checked: all the data is embedded in the exported flash file. The flash file is exported as name_of_project.swf. The weight of the flash file is consequential to the elements included. When viewing, all of the elements must be uploaded before you can browse the tour (the upload is quite slow). If the option is unchecked: all of the data is dissociated from the exported flash file. The export is composed of a name_of_project.swf flash file and a name_of_projectdata data file. These two elements are closely related and should not be separated. When viewing, the flash file will upload the elements it needs for the tour from the data file; the tour will upload quickly. HTML Template This lets you export a HTML file including the virtual tour. You can create your own template and integrate it into the software. For more information see the Template page. 20

23 16 Panotour Panorama Properties The Panorama properties are accessible when one ore more panoramas are selected. Changed parameters are applied to all selected panoramas. The panorama properties window is made up of the following 4 tabs: The Pictures tab lets you adjust the resolution of the exported pictures. The Projection tab lets you set the Panorama's imported angular information and its output projection. The View tab lets you set the panorama view in the tour. The Name field defines the name under which the selected picture will appear in the virtual tour. You can change the name of the panorama here. This will not influence the source file in any way. 21

24 17 Panotour Panorama Properties - Pictures This tab contains settings used to adjust the quality of the pictures used to view the selected panorama in the virtual tour. Depending on the panorama's fields of view, two scenarios are possible : 17.1 SPHERICAL PANORAMA (360 x180 ) Compute optimal size Automatically calculates a size that will use the input image's resolution best. Cube face size Defines the size of the cube faces used to build a 3D cubic panorama. Max. preview size The preview is a low quality version of the panorama that is viewed when the virtual tour is launched. This version is viewed until the image is completely uploaded. You can adjust the quality here. Cutting size When an image exceeds the value specified in one of the sizes, a multi-resolution pyramid is automatically generated to facilitate the progressive loading of the data. This lets you specify a cutting size for the multi-resolution pyramid. The 0 value will deactivate the multi-resolution. Jpeg quality Lets you define the Jpeg quality factor applied to the images when the tour is exported. The bigger it is, the less visible the compression effects are. This will play a role on the weight of the tour. Nadir patch This inserts an image on the nadir to overcome the shortcomings of the panorama (to hide the tripod for example). Use the icon to open a folder browser. Here you can choose the image that you want to use as the nadir patch. The icon lets you delete the selection if it is not suitable. This does not influence the source file in any way. Scale: This lets you define the size of the image inserted on the nadir. This is proportional to the face of a cube PARTIAL PANORAMA (< 360 x180 ) Compute optimal size Automatically calculates a size that will use the input image's resolution the best. Partial panorama width Determines the width of the panorama in pixels. Max. preview size The preview is a low quality version of the panorama that is viewed when the virtual tour is launched. This version is viewed until the image is completely uploaded. You can adjust the quality here. Cutting size When an image exceeds the value specified in one of the sizes, a multi-resolution pyramid is automatically generated to facilitate the progressive loading of the data. This lets you specify a cutting size for the multi-resolution pyramid. The 0 value will deactivate the multi-resolution. Jpeg quality Lets you define the Jpeg quality factor applied to the images when the tour is exported. The bigger it is, the less visible the compression effects are. This will play a role on the weight of the tour. 22

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26 18 Panotour Panorama Properties - Projection Input field of view Specifies the selected panorama's angular view and to change it if needed. The 3D lets you see the changes to these values. Horizontal: Sets the horizontal angular surface surrounded by the panorama. This value can be changed. Vertical: Sets the vertical angular surface surrounded by the panorama. This value can be changed. Vertical offset: Sets the panorama's horizon. Shifts the panorama up or down the sphere based on the respective positive and negative values. An Autopano panorama (Pro or Giga) contains EXIF data in its assembly. This data sets the angular fields and is reinterpreted by Panotour Pro. So, the angular fields are kept (they are identical to those of the original panorama). When a panorama does not contain EXIF data, the angular fields are calculated based on one of 2 values (horizontal or vertical, depending on the image's ratio). This calculation is applied to the following cases: If the panorama uses an assembly software that is different from Autopano. If the panorama has been changed between when it was created with Autopano and imported into Panotour. If the panorama was exported with Autopano in a format that does not issue EXIF data (i.e..png). In these cases, a [!] icon (beside the horizontal and vertical fields) indicates that no EXIF data was found. The panorama viewed in the center window also has a icon showing the same information. This quickly lets us know what angular fields need to be verified and/or changed. Changes to these fields will erase the indication icons. Output projection This lets us choose the type of projection used to display the panorama in the tour. Display a spherical projection: (default) The panorama is shown in a sphere. This creates the feeling of 3D immersion. Display a planar projection: The panorama is projected onto a plan. This type of projection is particularly suitable for panoramas with small fields of view. 24

27 19 Panotour Panorama Properties - View This tab lets you determine the conditions of the user's navigation of the tour for the selected panorama. Default view Lets you set the panorama's default view These values can also be changed with the help of the Set as default view option in the 3D editor. Fov: Panorama zoom level. Yaw: Horizontal offset in degrees from the panorama's center point. Pitch: Vertical offset in degrees from the panorama's center point. Zoom limits This lets you limit the accessible zoom level during the viewing of the virtual tour. These values can also be changed with the help of the Set as zoom max and Set as zoom min options in the 3D editor. These settings are not taken into account in the 3D editor. Max: Maximum zoom level expressed as a percentage relative to a 90 angular field. This box will be dimmed when you check "Limit the zoom to the image's resolution". Min: Minimum zoom level expressed as a percentage relative to a 90 angular field. Limit zoom to image resolution: Limits the zoom level to the panorama's resolution during the viewing of the tour. If this option is checked, the Set as zoom max option in the 3D editor will be deactivated. 25

28 The hotspot properties window lets you give specific features to selected hotspots. 20 Panotour Hotspot Properties This window is divided into 2 parts: The Link part, which lets you define what is connected to a hotspot when it is clicked. The Display part, which lets you define what is displayed at the hotspot in the tour. 26

29 The "Link" group links the hotspot to an event that is triggered when clicking on it. Assigning a link to a hotspot will not change its appearance. Only one type of link can be specified per hotspot. 21 Panotour Hotspot Properties - Link Panorama This lets you connect a hotspot to one of the tour's panoramas. This function has the same affect as when a hotspot is connected to a panorama in the center window. This link can be seen in the central window (an arrow links a hotspot to the panorama). If the link has already been made in the center window, the name of the connected panorama shows here. Transition: This lets you assign an animated transition to a link. Clicking on the list to select one of the proposed transitions allows for different combinations according to the panorama or hotspot default view parameters defined in the 3D editor. The Yaw, Pitch and Fov define the default view of the connected panorama. These are the same settings found in the Default view part of the View tab. URL This lets you connect a hotspot to an internet address. The address must be complete: The URL link will open in a separate window. You can open the URL link in the same window as the tour by adding ','_self at the end of the URL field: Object This lets you connect a hotspot to an object (image, video, sound, etc.). Use the icon to open a file browser. Here you can choose the file that you want to use as the object. The icon lets you delete the selection if it is not suitable. This will not influence the source file in any way. The types of supported objects are: Images Flash, animations (*.swf) Position: This lets you place an object in the tour window. The green dot indicates the position of the object in the tour window. Click on one of the other 4 points to change the position. Width/Height: This lets you change the size of the html page. If the two values are null, the HTML page will take a third of the tour's size (in width and height). If one of the 2 values is not null, the fixed value will be used as a base to calculate the null value in accordance with the image's ratio. If you complete these 2 values, Panotour Pro will force these values but this could distort the image. These values can be added as pixels (fixed size forced) or as a percentage (the size of the virtual tour's display area). 27

30 22 Panotour Hotspot Properties - Display The Display sub-site lets you replace a hotspot with an object of your choice. The dialogue box changes based on the type of hotspot HOTSPOT POINT For a hotspot point, the theme defined in the project properties proposes different types of hotspots. These hotspots can be fixed or animated (a sequence of images). By default, these hotspots are the color of the theme but you can change their color regardless of the theme. Object This lets you choose an object to be displayed instead of the hotspot point. By default, the hotspot displayed is the neutral hotspot of the selected theme. Map/neutral/info/direction/image: hotspots relative to a theme. By default, the list contains 9 types of hotspots. These are 4 types available in 2 models: fixed and animated (sequence). You can create your own hotspots and integrate them into a software. For more information see the Template page. Other files: The type of objects supported are: Images Flash, animations (*.swf) Custom color Check this option to activate the color option and to change the color of the hotspot. If this box is unchecked, the hotspot will keep the color defined by the theme. This option is unavailable if the type of hotspot is not part of a theme (Other files). Color This lets you change the color of the hotspot (if the author authorizes it). When you click on the color thumbnail, a color palette opens so that you can change the color of the hotspot. Width/Height This lets you resize the object. If both values are null, the object will keep its original size. If one of the 2 values is not null, the fixed value will be used as a base to calculate the null value in accordance with the image's ratio. If you add these 2 values, Panotour Pro will force these images. There is a risk that the image will be distorted. You can add these two values in pixels (fixed size forced) or as a percentage (the size of the virtual tour's display area). Info bubble Sets a text that will appear in a bubble when hovering the hotspot with the mouse POLYGON HOTSPOT Only visible on over Checking this option will make the hotspot only visible when hovering with the mouse. If this option is unchecked, the hotspot will always be visible during the viewing of the tour. Color Lets you define the contour color of the polygon. Fill Color Lets you define the color that fills the polygon. Info bubble Lets you define a text that will appear in a bubble when hovering the hotspot with the mouse RECTANGLE HOTSPOT The rectangle hotspot is a special polygon hotspot. All images or videos associated with this hotspot will automatically be resized and directed so that it can be included in the rectangle. This is an interesting feature that gives the illusion that the screen is a picture that is horizontally placed on a table. The rectangle hotspot also lets you create a Flying hotspot: To do this, define an identical image in the Object field of the display and link frame for the same rectangular hotspot. When you click on a hotspot, the oject will move from its initial position towards the center of the screen in a fluid animation, instead of directly being shown on the screen. 28

31 Object Use the icon to open a file browser. Here you can choose the file that you want to display as an object. The icon lets you delete the selction if it is not suitable. This does not influence the source file in any way. The type of supported objects are: Images Flash, animations (*.swf) Only visible on over Clicking this option will make the hotspot visible only when hovering with the mouse. If this option is not checked, the hotspot will always be visible during the tour. Color Lets you define the contour color of the rectangle. Fill color Lets you define the color that fills the rectangle. Info bubble Lets you define the text that will appear in the bubble when hovering the hotspot with the mouse. 29

32 23 Panotour Preferences The Preferences window is found under the Edit/Preferences/... menu when using Windows and Linux systems. For Mac users, go to the Panotour/Preferences/... menu. This window is divided into 2 tabs: The Performances tab contains the settings relative to the use of system resources by Panotour. The Global tab defines the internal software functioning options. 30

33 24 Panotour Preferences - Performances Temporary folders Determines the folder in which Panotour will save temporary files. You can designate as many temporary files as you want. The use of a file or other is dynamically based on the space available on the partitions involved and the number of temporary files to generate. Memory used Defines the quantity of RAM will be available for the application. The maximum is calculated based on the memory available when the application is launched. The software must leave enough memory available to the system and other applications so that it can continue to function properly. The more memory available, the better the software will work. Number of CPU Defined by the computer used (default). These settings can be changed. Language Used to force a different language than the language the software system. 31

34 25 Panotour Preferences - Global Export settings Automatically replaces the last exported file: When this option is checked, you will no longer be asked to specify an output file during the exporting of your tours. The last exported project will be crushed. Viewing settings Always export the current project before viewing: Checking this option will let you re-export the project when clicking on the "View" button of the interface's toolbar. Quick export settings Automatic launch after export: Checking this option will let you automatically view the tour in the flash reader by default. This is done after the export. 32

35 26 Panotour Glossary 26.1 FLASH Adobe technology that lets you create and display animated content, such as virtual tours SWF Flash file extension. The virtual tours generated with Panotour are also called: my-virtual-tour.swf 26.3 Hotspot An interaction area or point in the virtual tour that lets you: display another view included in the tour, open a web page, display an image, etc. The hotspots are very important when creating complete virtual tours because they let you connect different views included in the virtual tour XML Configuration file extension that defines the options selected for the virtual tour. 33