Karting1.co.uk

[ireman]

It's taken a bit longer than I had hoped but here is the first version of a virtual tour of last weekends meeting at Lydd.

http://www.bhphoto.biz/aixro/index.html click and drag to move the view or use the buttons at the bottom of the page. Click on the hotspots on the map to load up another pano. Please be patient as these are big files and I haven't had time to optimize the pre loader yet. I want to add some fly out still images and movie clips with sound but have a feeling that it might bloat the project beyond anyones willingness to wait for the download - we will see, check it again in a couple of days to see what progress I have made.

[SK]

Gorgeous.

What camera and software did you use?

[sirace1974]

Any video for event?

[ireman]

Thank you - tech specs:- Canon Eos 5D with a Nikon 10.5mm fisheye lens mounted via an adaptor. Mounted with a BoBracket lens clamp on a Manfrotto monopod. Images processed with Camera Raw and stitched in PTGUI for Mac, little bit of Photoshop retouching and made into the Virtual Tour with Flashificator - all a bit off topic for a karting forum but if anyone is interested in the process and wants to know more please feel free to pm me and I'll try and answer all questions.

I did shoot some short video clips, but only on a Lumix compact so the quality isn't that good - also could hardly hold it still as it was blowing so hard. The video was intended to be embedded in the panoramas so are only very short clips. I'm aiming to get an update done in the next couple of days and add the extras. The sound in the video clips should also add something of the general atmosphere that is missing at the moment.

Having been lucky enough to have had a drive in an Aixro ( thank you Kai) I can only add to what everyone else says - after that you are forever spoilt and don't want to go back to driving anything else

[Nick]

Excellent and impressive stuff Bruce, well done
_________________
Nick

[kai]

Indeed! You should do this for a living…

[ireman]

Thanks guys, hopefully the next additions will be even more impressive. I've just updated the swf file that runs behind it all so it will now be compatible with Flash 10 which should improve performance a lot.

Kai, if you want to be my agent I might be able to hire a kart for some of the races - I'm probably too old and slow though

[alexp]

Very cool!

Thats brilliant!

Alex

[ireman]

Just updated with some added fly out images and one video clip - in the jump pano you will see a big play button in the sky - hit that and it plays a short video clip.

I think I might be close to overload with the amount of data in this so some more tinkering to do under the hood.

Also should add - when the cursor changes from an arrow to a hand it is over an interactive element - click and it will trigger an action - like a picture flying out or over the spots on the map to change the view.

[jc123rules]

Great stuff Bruce, the whole virtual tour thing is very cool !

[ireman]

I've just updated the link and added some more video - unfortunately it is now a large download and will take a little while to load.

I'd be very interested to hear how others are viewing it - on a a pretty fast connection I think that it is acceptable but would like to hear others experiences - ie how long does it take to load?

thanks

Bruce

[alexp]

Hi,

after deleting all saved int and cache etc, it takes about 4 seconds with a 10Mb (optic) line.

cheers
Alex

[ireman]

Hi Alex

Thank you for the test - if only we could all be on that kind of connection! Still, I suppose if you have the a superfast kart you ought to have a superfast connection as well

Thanks again

Bruce

[kai]

Once more, impressive stuff, Bruce. Sure, I’ll be your agent: 50% OK?

As for loading speed: At home my broadband is above average at 5-6Mb, whereas in the office it’s well below average – a downright feeble 0.5. So at home it still loads very quickly and runs well, but in the office it’s now a ridiculous 2.30 mins and the video is rather staccato for several more minutes. Serves me right for trying to view this when I’m supposed to be working…

So, err, in that case I don’t know how fast a kart I’m supposed to have. Maybe I already have the solution: fast kart, but fat/slow driver.

[jc123rules]

My internet connection is around 5-6.5mb and the tour/videos/photo's load within 25 seconds.