Change of Software ...

[spindoctor]

Dear Fellow Members,

Like many 'panographers', I am confident with my artistic and technical capabilities, but always looking to improve my output. I arrived at Flashplayer.com via a 3rd party and have been reading through this site's info etc.

Those within the panorama fraternity will agree that the constant Flash/Quicktime argument goes on - with those who are Flash fans convinced that their system is the way to go, and vice versa. I do not wish to start yet another discussion on this topic, but was merely using it as an example.

Since I began making spherical images, I have been using PTGui, Cubic Converter and Quicktime, discovering for myself, the pitfalls and processes. Now, however, I think it's time that I gave Flash a chance.

What I cannot abide, however, is manufacturers jargon and they way they construct 'help' files - some use technical explanations which can only be deciphered by those with an expert knowledge of computers and systems.

Before I make the leap into Flashplayer, would those with experience of the programme be so kind as to tell me what to expect? Is this system the answer we Quicktime devotees should be changing to? Is it easy to convert one's medium-sized brain from Quicktime to Flashplayer without getting lost in reams of technical jargon? Does the one-off payment include everything or is there more to pay for in the future?

Thanks for your time,

SD
(confimed MAC user)

[popunonkok]

Hi.

Im almost in the same situation as you exept I have just bougth the flashpanorama player... So I will try to shortly tell my side of the story.

I find it quite easy to uppload a pano without any "custom settings". Just a folder with the six sides (with the right name) and then the flashfile named the same as the pics... Done

When starting to customise the the pano I have a little troubble because of the fact that its only code based. But I am quite convinced that once you get a grip of it it wount be a problem... Once you got you "standard" .xml that you are pleased with Im convinced that one will use that 90% of the time.

For me, quicktime has worked great exept when you meet someone that dosent have quicktime installed, and frankly, that happens to often for me.

Im hoping that flash panorama player will help me to reduce the number of people that cant see my panoramas...

[spindoctor]

Many thanks popunonkok.

This is what I was expecting - the worst thing: code.

I am waiting to see what others say before buying Flashplayer ...

[jaaaab]

Dear Spindoctor,

What you say can be a serious topic of debate.

To me, making virtual tours needs capabilitys from two worlds: photography and programming, since we talk about interactivity.

So if you're looking for the easiest way to produce simple VRs, then Qucktime is the way. Although FPP is very simple to produce simple tours, you'll only have to learn how to manipulate image files, no programming.

If you want to get into serious interactivity (hotspots, video, movements..), then you'll certainly have to learn necessary programming skills to do that!

Cheers.

[spindoctor]

jaaaab,

Well, yes ... I am under the impression that by using Flashplayer there are on-screen options open to the viewer which are not in Quicktime. It's all about being in-touch with the audience. A simple full-screen QT is one thing, but something a little more interactive is certainly the way to go.

I am sure that there are places on the internet which list simple tutorials about making hotspots ... although I have no wish to run before I can walk with a new programme.

It's also a question of giving the viewer a choice between QT and Flash.

Thanks again.

SD

[Aifos]

spindoctor:
i bought this program... i payed the price published, nothing more. With that payment are included all the upgrades in the future.

When i bougth it, i had never in my life heard about programing, xml files, and never used Flash.
so, y decided to start learning... the first weeks it was very dificult, itґs like learning a new lenguage... actually it is.
All the information you need to make Virtual Tours with music, videos, hotspots, zoom, fullscreen, multiple functionalities buttons, etc... youґll find it at the Tutorial folder of the program, at the blog and at this forum, of course.
3 months since i bouth it, i doing things i never imagine i could do.
I think now, the limit of this program is my imagination.

[spindoctor]

Aifos,

Many thanks for your reply - it was just want I wanted to hear. Positive, enthusiastic and honest.

Regards,

SD

[jaaaab]

yeahhhh you can get high with FPP ;) lol

[Aifos]

yeahhhh you can get high with FPP ;) lol

FPP http://www.egelforum.net/forum/images/smilies/bongsmi.gif

[VCUK]

Well it's much harder than it needs to be.

For simple stuff I have started using Pano2VR & Pleinpot. Pano2VR has a nice simple way to create hotspots & the movies pop into an html doc without the need to cut & paste snippets of code. Pleinpot creates the necessary html for a number of panorama players, though unfortunately not flashpanorama (yet).

Obviously Flashpanorama can do much more than can be done with the tools above, but not everyone has the necessary time or aptitude.

I'm very impressed with what flashpanorama can do, but so far have had very little success with it in its current raw state.

As had been said so many times before on this forum flashpanorama is a developers tool more than a photographers.

[jaaaab]

That's why i think if photographers that don't have the time/knowledge to create high interactive virtual tours, they have to work in association with developpers.

So i'm opened to any job propositions ;)

++

[WideEyes]

spindoctor:
i bought this program... i payed the price published, nothing more. With that payment are included all the upgrades in the future.

When i bougth it, i had never in my life heard about programing, xml files, and never used Flash.
so, y decided to start learning... the first weeks it was very dificult, itґs like learning a new lenguage... actually it is.
All the information you need to make Virtual Tours with music, videos, hotspots, zoom, fullscreen, multiple functionalities buttons, etc... youґll find it at the Tutorial folder of the program, at the blog and at this forum, of course.
3 months since i bouth it, i doing things i never imagine i could do.
I think now, the limit of this program is my imagination.


Hi Aifos
I am in the same situation as you. Before I bought Flashpanoramas I knew nothing about coding. Absolutely nothing. You are right. It is a whole new language that I have to start learning. But OMG it is hard.

Would you mind sharing how you got to learn it? I have read the documentation. I didn't understand much about it.
How did you aproach it?

Thanks in advance.
Best regards
Morten

[WideEyes]

That's why i think if photographers that don't have the time/knowledge to create high interactive virtual tours, they have to work in association with developpers.

So i'm opened to any job propositions ;)

++
Hi Jaaaab

I believe you are right. You need to combine the skills of both a photographer and a developer to get the most out of this player. Unfortunately I am not much of a developer. So I know that if you can produce some slick templates - with different features and a tutorial that explain how to make adjustments I would happily buy them from you.

That is how I was able to do this tour: http://www.wideeyes.dk/tours/fullscreen/park/park.html

I would really like a template so I can include a floorplan in the top left corner like this example:
http://bells.uk-virtualtours.co.uk/

Let us know if you can help us. I am sure that I am not the only one who will be interested in buying this.

Best regards
Morten

[jaaaab]

Hello

Well i have to say it was not my aim at all to work in association with other members in intend to do their developpement or doing templates for them.

But i have to say building templates for you guys could be a good way to make your skills improve faster and you could save a lot of time ;)

So i'll be happy to see what we can do as common projects.

You can write me in private ++

[Aifos]

Wideeye!

well... i must tell you that the way i learned was staying nights and nights till 5 or 6 am typing and clickng... reading xml codes, trying to understand this lenguage...
first of all, start reading the xml at the example folder... so if you copy the codes to your proyect, you will learn zooming and fullscreen... that is easy.
then, when you learn the basic, the hotspot plugin tutorial, will be very helpful...
and when you are shure you can read and understand what the codes do.. you can ask for templates, or search the xml codes from other websites... and there are many xml examples shared at this forum... Denis shared the "add some life to panoramas" xml code somewhere at the forum.

so... i think that's the only way to learn...

You can post your questions at the forum.. i'll try to help you

[WideEyes]

Wideeye!

well... i must tell you that the way i learned was staying nights and nights till 5 or 6 am typing and clickng... reading xml codes, trying to understand this lenguage...
first of all, start reading the xml at the example folder... so if you copy the codes to your proyect, you will learn zooming and fullscreen... that is easy.
then, when you learn the basic, the hotspot plugin tutorial, will be very helpful...
and when you are shure you can read and understand what the codes do.. you can ask for templates, or search the xml codes from other websites... and there are many xml examples shared at this forum... Denis shared the "add some life to panoramas" xml code somewhere at the forum.

so... i think that's the only way to learn...

You can post your questions at the forum.. i'll try to help you

Thank you for your comments.
I too think it will be a hard long struggle to learn to fully utilize all the features of this program.
I will keep struggeling - but first of all I will have to start selling some more so I can make a living of producing panoramas.

Best regards
Morten

[WideEyes]

Hello

Well i have to say it was not my aim at all to work in association with other members in intend to do their developpement or doing templates for them.

But i have to say building templates for you guys could be a good way to make your skills improve faster and you could save a lot of time ;)

So i'll be happy to see what we can do as common projects.

You can write me in private ++

I Jaaaab
I wrote you a private message last week. Did you recieve it?
Best regards
Morten