2.1 Do I need a plugin to view panoramas?
A plugin is not necessary to view the panoramas because there is a java version
available if you do not wish to use a plugin. However, the plugin is recommended for several reasons:
1. The plugin is faster and more stable
2. The java applet does not use memory efficiently.
This is particularly the case with Netscape, which does not allow applets to use over a certain amount of memory. For use in Netscape, you will need to change the amount of memory that Java can use.
2.2 Where do I download the plugin?
The original LivePicture plugin is available from download.com.
After LivePicture was taken over by MGI Soft, MGI released a number of viewers for this type of panorama as well. Download a ZOOM Viewer at mgisoft.com
2.3 Which plugin should I get?
You should get the Multimedia ZOOM Plugin Viewer from http://mgisoft.com/web/viewers/multimeda.asp
2.4 A dialogue box asks what program to open the file with
This happens when you try to open a file for which your browser does not have that mime-type matched up with a plugin. This may also occur when you try to open a panorama straight from its .ivr file instead of from a webpage which has the panorama embedded.
Make sure you have restarted the browser after installing the plugin. If you are still getting a dialogue box that asks what program to use to open it with, email pans@ag.arizona.edu with a description of your problem or fill out the form at the bottom of this page. Be sure to include your browser type, which plugin you have installed, and what url is causing this problem.
2.5 My browser crashes when I try to open panoramas
Some configurations of the plugins and browsers do not seem compatible with each other. If your browser is crashing when panoramas are loading, try using a different browser. That is, switch between Internet Explorer and Netscape. Also try switching between the java version and the plugin version of the panorama pages.
If you are having this kind of problem, please email pans@ag.arizona.edu with a detailed description of the problem or fill out the form at the bottom of this page. Be sure to include the browser name and version (e.g., Netscape 4.06), your operating system, and your RAM.
2.6 The plugin loads, but no panorama...
This problem may be related to memory or it may be that the panorama was not made correctly. This has been known to happen, but first, test your browser on this small panorama:
Test Panorama
If that works, it may be related to memory. Close some applications and try again. Reboot if necessary.
2.7 Nothing happens when I click on the button to bring up a panorama
If you have javascript disabled, you will not be able to view the panoramas by clicking on the button. Use this alternate page instead.
This may also indicate your browser has crashed. One indicator I have that Netscape has crashed is that links and buttons no longer work, although typing in URLs does work. This is typical after using the ArcIMS pages in Netscape.
2.8 How do I make my own panoramas?
There are a couple commercial packages that cost around $50 that are very easy to use to create panoramas. We use PhotoVista 1.0 and have created a Tutorial for creating Panoramas with Photovista.
There is a free package called panotools, available from http://www.fh-furtwangen.de/~dersch that is just as powerful as the commercial software, although its learning curve is much steeper. It has the added advantage of coming with source code and binaries for most major operating systems.
2.9 How can I add my own panoramas to the database?
The panorama database is still in its design phase, although once it is up, you will be able to register your panoramas so that they will be available from the GIS Ed maps and panoramas pages. If you are still interested, email pans@ag.arizona.edu and we would love to talk about the panorama database.
4.6 How do I move the sculptures across the campus?
Once you find the sculptures in the Science Mall, move your mouse cursor over the object. You should see the cursor change shape. This indicates that the object has an action associated with it. Click the mouse button down and hold it. While holding the mouse button down, move the mouse across the screen. The object will do one of two things; either it will move across the virtual world (even through buildings!) or else it will spin in one place. If you click at the bottom of the object you should be able to change its position. Clicking higher up on the object will allow you to spin it.
The object will probably NOT go the same direction that you move the mouse, so be careful and don't let go of the mouse unless you know where the object is. If the object disappears, move your mouse slowly back to where it was.
4.7 A dialogue box asks me what program to open the file with
This indicates that you have not installed the plugin correctly, you have an old version installed, or do not have one installed at all. In this case, I recommend installing Cortona, a browser available from http://www.parallelgraphics.com/products/cortona. Cortona will actually install while your browser is running and you will not need to restart.
If you are still having problems after installing a VRML browser and restarting your web browser, please email vrml@ag.arizona.edu with a detailed description of your problem. Be sure to include the url, the browser version and plugin type, as well as some vital statistics about your computer itself, including the memory and the Operating System.
4.8 Nothing happens when I press a button on the SRER menu
This problem is still under diagnosis. If you experience this problem, please send the following information to vrml@ag.arizona.edu or fill out the form at the bottom of this page:
What plugin are you using?
What browser are you using (Netscape, IE, etc)?
What OS are you using (Windows 95, 98, Mac 0S8,9, etc)?
What renderer are you using (OpenGL, Direct3D, software, etc)?
Does it happen all the time or only when looking certain directions?
Are there other problems ocurring in the VRML?
4.9 Objects disappear and reappear for no reason
This is also a problem under current diagnosis, but we do know of a few things to try. Try changing the rendering engine from OpenGL to Direct3D and vice versa. Try changing your VRML preferences that relate to graphics; switch image quality from high to low and back, and turn on software rendering.
If these do not fix the problem, please send email to vrml@ag.arizona.edu with a description of the problem or fill out the form at the bottom of this page. Please be sure to include the information listed in section 4.8 of this document.
