DIY (Self Service) Virtual Tour Image Processing Guide
The Visual Tours Image Processor Software allows you to create Virtual Tours with partial panoramas and full 360 panoramas.
NB! - Before trying to use the application ensure you have a registered user name and password with Visual Tours. If you do not or if you are not sure please contact us at support@visualtours.co.za.
To download the software - click here
Step 1 - The Login Screen
Open the Visual Tours Image Processing Application.
The first time you run the Visual Tours Image Processing Application, you will be prompted to enter the new user information. You will be presented with the following screen:
• Enter your supplied Username and Password
• Enter your camera make and model, for example Kodak EasyShare 45
• Select your output folder, by clicking on the magnifying glass icon. It is recommended you create the output folder in your “My Documents” folder and call it Visual Tours.
• Once all the information is entered, click the OK button.
Logging into the Software
You will be prompted to enter your username and password. It may be best to select the Save Password option.
• Click the next button to continue.
Entering Tour Information Step-2
Enter the Reference Number (Listing Number). This is for your records; it will be part of the virtual tour's name. The virtual tour will be returned to you with this reference number being quoted. If you’re a real estate agent we suggest using your Internet listing number for the property you are sending E.g. 2071, otherwise list the name of the property E.g. 3 Rose Hill St.
The size can be left as medium, which is the default setting, as this will deliver the best result.
Customer Information = this is not used anymore and may be ignored.
Step 3 - Image Processing
The image processing window is where you add and sort your images.
Remember to select an entire set of images for one panorama E.g. the kitchen, from where you have downloaded them. Follow these points to correctly process the images:
Select your panorama type - Is it a full 360 or a partial panorama? Remember with a 360 panorama you will be able to view all the way around the screen (18 images). If you do shoot partials, ensure you shoot at least 200 degrees (10 images).
Select your panorama description - this is the name you would like to give to the current panorama you are processing. You can either select a name from the drop down list or simply type in an appropriate name in the list box. The name will be added to the drop down list for future use.
Now drag the images that make up your panorama into the image processing window. You can either drag them from windows explorer and drop them onto the image processing window or use the open dialogue box icon (on the top far left hand side). Remember use Ctrl-A in windows explorer to select all images in a folder.
These should only include the images you want to use to make up your panorama. There should not be any duplicates.
The overlay window - if you shoot a set of overlay or dark interior and clear exterior images. They must be dragged in at the same time as your original images and then moved. Place them directly below the equivalent light image. We will overlay the two images producing a clear image of both the interior and exterior.
Remember you can use the following buttons:
Use the green left/right arrow buttons to move a selected image if the images are not in the correct order.
Use the blue arrow button to rotate images that are incorrectly orientated.
Use the purple arrow button to reverse the order of the images
Use the zoom button to zoom in on an image.
Use the red cross button to delete a particular image.
When you are happy with the images you have chosen for your panorama select next.
You will return to the Tour Information screen, here you have the option to add another panorama to your Virtual Tour. You can add panoramas to your Virtual Tour until you have added all the panoramas or still images you would like in your Virtual Tour.
If you shoot two properties for Virtual Tour purposes, each property must be processed separately, E.g. the one property has three 360 views and the other four 360 views. You should process the three for the first property and submit the tour and then the four for the second property and submit the tour.
Step 4 - Submitting your Virtual Tour
• Once you are finished with the last entry and have selected next you will have the option to submit your virtual tour by selecting Process Tour. Select ‘yes’. You will be taken to a tour report that will list the panoramas.
Use the blue up and down arrow buttons (once you have selected a panorama) to move the panoramas into the order that they will appear in the tour. You might want to start your tour with the nicest panorama.
Select OK, the panoramas will now be compressed and the progress displayed. Please be patient as this might take a few minutes.
Once completed successfully select OK. You can now exit the program.
If the file is larger than 1.4MB it suggests that you split the file. If you are on ADSL do not split the file. If you select split file, it splits the file into 1.4MB bits for easy e-mailing. All parts must be e-mailed to Visual Tours before we can process your images. The split files have an extension .1-3, this means file 1 of 3.
Step 5 - E-mail file to Visual Tours for processing
Remember that you still have to email Visual Tours the panoramas. They are now compressed and located in the Output directory that you created. E.g. c:\visual tours. The tour files created have long file names which start with your user name. Do not change or modify any of the file names which you send to Visual Tours as it will create problems when processing your Virtual Tour. Email to images@visualtours.co.za
Remember to only have one attachment (vti file) per e-mail.
The images will be compiled into a Virtual Tour and returned to you within 24-72hrs hours for distribution.
If you require any further help or instructions please email support@visualtours.co.za
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