Horizontal Only is Best

[Panorado]

Well, this is my opinion and opinion of ALL the clients I've had so far (few that may be). I feel (and of course this is just my opinion) that Horizontal Only Panoramas are the best (ie no up/down). 1.) A normal person looking at somthing or looking around does not look up, look down... that person looks eye level (unless they are specifically looking for somthing) 2.) "normal" users (and not pros like us) start panning and the full 360 gets off wack they find themsleves up or down or lost and can't figure out the mouse with the direction... blah blah... confusing... 3.) Saves dowload time by utilizing only 4 pictures instead of 6 (I just put 'dummy' white pictures on top and bottom and zoom to the point you can't see them when horizontal panning). I have also asked some clients, freinds and family members and they ALL say... they don't need nor want to look up or down. Just grab the mouse and easily pan left or right. Anyways... just wanted to put in my opinion. Of Course... is some pano really needed the up/down picture (like interior of car or somthing like that) that would be a different case, I just saying in general.

[Jareish]

My personal opinion is that up and down (the earh and the sky) don't have a function persй, but they help with the emotional experience of viewing 360. Especially viewing in fullscreen. The user has the feeling he is at that location and not just viewing a picture.

[Aki]

I also think that a "just horizontal" pano cuts the emotional experience of a pano – especialy in fullscreen mode.

It is not nativ to have to stop at a certain point of "view-degree" unless you have some"illness" in the neck! :D

Often it is a task for the author and not a task for the customer to find the best solution – even if it looks the differend way. "Future will tell"!

Just my 2 Cents
Aki

[allSaints]

In my opinion it depends very much on the scene you are trying to capture.

The following pano would be ridiculous if you could turn only horisontally:

http://wirestam.com/panos/Flash/eniro/eniro6.html

Regards,
Tommy

[Trausti Hraunfjord]

In my opinion it depends very much on the scene you are trying to capture.

The following pano would be ridiculous if you could turn only horisontally:

http://wirestam.com/panos/Flash/eniro/eniro6.html

Regards,
Tommy

Understatement of the year! :)

[Panorado]

I knew I was going to get "a little flack" on this... ha ha... and of course everyone is right in "it depends on the situation". Like the Pano above or beauty shots etc., the full 360 is called for. I'm just saying in general it's somthing to consider as there are benifits to just horizontal (-2 pictures, simplicity for users, no "getting turned around/lost" for the general net surfer). If your just standing on a street or in a park or well, those kind of situations... the only thing down is concrete and the only thing up is blue sky... no reason to over complex the viewing. I do disagree with the the fellows above that you "lose the sensation"... hmmm... I really don't fell that... you can still look all the way around. I don't know... just somthing to think over and maybe give another option (with the advantages/disatvantages) to your clients.

[izoneguy]

I do about 10 of these per month.
I don't think they would be as effective H only.

http://www.cuial.com/mhsrv_panos/2009_Beaver_Patriot_Thunder/2009_Beaver_Patriot_Thunder.html

[LepLep]

if we look at bike, first we had only one wheel
than 2,3,4...
of course we could say that anything whats above one have excessive wheels

or maybe its just metter of taste

i absolutely agree with allSaints
and would like to support it with opposite side example (my last pano, just three days old, probably i spend the longest time ever to make it)

northern lights over Tromsш 360 panorama picture (http://www.virtualtromso.no/northern-lights-360-panorama-picture-tromso.html) (its not the one from signature)

[gordee]

Can't you just set maximum values for tilt, effectively turning it off?

[Trausti Hraunfjord]

One might actually make a test to confirm what people want. All that is needed, is to use Paulo's FFP analytics (http://flashpanos.com/plugins/paulogogo/fppanalytics) put a couple of choices for the visitors:

1. Limit my field of view.
2. Do not limit my field of view.

... or a less obtrusive approach:

1. Horizontal only
2. Fully spherical

The statistics would tell the truth about people's choices... and we wouldn't have this discussion.

Of course the individual actions of visitors are based on taste, interest and knowledge of how the panos work.... and we won't ever know if we don't get some related statistics to tell us.

Asking people may give one answer (a limited scale answer) while automatically gathering the info through the behaviour of the users will give the correct answer.

[DMCDigital]

That is like arguing which film format is best, or print size...it all depends on the subject. I do interiors nearly Every Day with Balconys, Vaulted ceilings, Marble Floors, Exotic Inlay in floors etc. Limiting the field of view to Horizontal only would be a silly choice...and my customers would agree ! If there is just a white ceiling or neutral carpet then sure...horizontal only is fine. Of course photography is subjective and many times competitive...so go ahead and limit yourself to horizontal only panos....more work for me to get ! lol

It all is a matter of taste !

Happy Shooting !

[3rw1n]

I can't imagine this tour (http://www.bluephotographie.com/richmedia/360/aerien/montauban/) being Horizontal only.

Of course, there are other subjects where Horizontal would be enough.

[discocandy]

I can't imagine this tour (http://www.bluephotographie.com/richmedia/360/aerien/montauban/) being Horizontal only.



Hi 3rw1n!.
just wanted to day I love this tour.. I had seen it already but never told you :p

GOED WERK WEER!!
;)

[Panorado]

3rw1n Those are beautiful panoramas and I enjoyed looking at them!! However... I have to disagree... There is no reason to look up. If the pano was set just above the horizon and went around 360, you can virtually see everything with out the extra possibility of getting dizzy. No no! I sat down two other (non professionals) and I told them nothing of my opinions... then I asked them after and they agreed with me (really!)... no reason to look up and way... down... one said they got a little seasick. However, Tuddi is right. The only "official" way to find out is by user surfing habits with separate links. Anyways... as I... mentioned... of course in some situations where the floor and or ceiling is important, it is a good idea to include them... However, I see A LOT of panoramas with just blue sky or white cieling 'up' and plain brown carpet or dirt 'down'... is it important to include this? Anyways... with Flash 10 and the new flashpanorama version the "Twinkle" is gone!!!!!!!!! Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!! now (in my opinion) the flashpanos are better than any other type (and always were except for that little twinkle that got on my nerves).