HotSpots

HotSpot Functions and Settings

HotSpots are used to jump between Locations in the project. While in Editor Mode, it is possible to drag HotSpots anywhere within the 360° view and to define the initial viewing direction when a user jumps with a HotSpot. Use functions on the iMenu to activate and deactivate HotSpots between specific Locations, change the name of existing HotSpots, make HotSpots invisible or visible, and filter for all HotSpots that are linked to a specific Location.

The following settings are stored in the media.xml file.

When a project is first created, two HotSpots are automatically added to most Locations - one that moves forward to the next Location and one that moves back to the previous Location. The first and last Locations have only one HotSpot initially assigned.

How to find the Settings Menu for HotSpots

_images/hotspot-target-view-automation.png

  1. Editor Start Mode

  2. Launch the iMenu

  3. choose the tab HotSpots from the top of the dialog box.

With the HotSpots tab displayed, it is now possible to see what HotSpots are available for a particular Location:

  1. Highlight the name of the Location where you wish to display the active HotSpots.

  2. Select the Arrow in a Circle icon (6) to the right of the name. This causes the selected Location to be displayed.

  3. All the active HotSpots for this Location are shown with a larger, bright white circle icon.

For example, in the figure above, Location02 is displayed as 360° Location in the background. There are active HotSpots to Location 01 and Location 03. Currently we edit the settings for the HotSpot to Location 03.

1. Change Name of an Active HotSpot

How to find the Settings Menu for HotSpots

When a project is created, HotSpots are automatically given the same name as the Location where they lead. In Editor Mode, it is possible to change the name of any active HotSpot from the iMenu. With the HotSpots tab displayed on the iMenu:

  1. Load the desired Location to display its active HotSpots (use the Arrow in a Circle icon).

  2. Select the name of the HotSpot you wish to change. It must be an active HotSpot, as shown by a larger, bright-white circle icon.

  3. Select the pencil icon.

  4. Enter the new name and select the green check mark or, if using non-VR mode, type the name on the keyboard and press Enter.

  5. HotSpot names that have been changed are shown by an orange colored pencil icon.

If you change a HotSpot name, the name on the iMenu list does change. This is because the iMenu shows the name of the Locations, not the HotSpots. To see the HotSpot name, click the pencil icon.

2. Activate or Deactivate a HotSpot

How to find the Settings Menu for HotSpots

It is easy to activate a new HotSpot between the currently displayed Location and any other Location. With the HotSpots tab displayed on the iMenu:

  1. Load the desired Location to display its active HotSpots (use the Arrow in a Circle icon).

  2. Select the HotSpot Circle icon for any other Location to activate a new HotSpot to it.

  3. That Location should now show a larger, bright-white circle icon that signifies an active HotSpot.

  4. Users in Viewer Mode can now use this HotSpot to jump to the new Location.

To deactivate any HotSpot, repeat these steps by selecting the HotSpot Circle for a Location that has a currently active HotSpot.

3. HotSpot Visibility

How to find the Settings Menu for HotSpots

It is often desirable to change how HotSpots are displayed. For example, if a project has a large number of HotSpots, you many not want them all to be visible at once so they do not detract from other items in the project. The visibility settings of HotSpots are controlled on the iMenu using the eye icon.

There are four possible visibility settings:

  • Always visible (the default setting when a new HotSpot is activated)

  • Only visible when nearby

  • Always invisible

  • Visible at the end of a video (only available at 360° Video locations)

Change the visibility:

With the HotSpots tab displayed on the iMenu, follow these steps to change the visibility of an active HotSpot:

  1. Load the desired Location to display its active HotSpots (use the Arrow in a Circle icon).

  2. Select the eye icon to change it to an eye with an arrow in it. This HotSpot will now only become visible when the user is looking near it.

  3. Select the eye icon again to change it to a “Stop at End” icon that signifies the HotSpot is visible at the end of the 360° Video.

  4. Select the eye icon again to change it to a “grayed-out” icon that signifies the HotSpot is now invisible to the user.

Warning

Please note that the end of the video is only paused with an accuracy of 1-2 seconds.

4. Guided Tour HotSpot

How to find the Settings Menu for HotSpots

Icon Circulation

  • The user can find guided tour HotSpots faster, as the green arrow in the middle of the view is pointing to the HotSpot. Therefore, only one Guided Tour HotSpot is possible for each Location.

  • Turn on the green arrow in the settings: Laser & Guided Tour

5. HotSpot Filter

How to find the Settings Menu for HotSpots

If your project has a large number of Locations, it can be difficult to see all the active HotSpots. The HotSpot Filter lets you reduce the display to only show the active HotSpots associated with the selected Location. With the HotSpots tab displayed on the iMenu, apply the HotSpot Filter with these steps:

  1. Load the desired Location to display its active HotSpots (use the Arrow in a Circle icon).

  2. Select the HotSpot Filter icon.

  3. Only the HotSpots that are active for the selected Location are displayed. The HotSpot Filter icon is colored orange to show it is active

  4. Select the Locations icon (in the upper-left of the iMenu) and load a different Location.

  5. Select the HotSpots tab from the top of the dialog box and notice the HotSpot Filter is still active.

  6. Select the HotSpot Filter icon again to disable it and return to a view of all HotSpots in the project.

HotSpot Target View Automation

How to find the Settings Menu for HotSpots

_images/hotspot-automation-close.png

At each 360° location, a start viewing direction can be defined. The location is loaded with this start viewing direction if it is entered directly via the iMenu.

_images/icon-360-startview.png

For each HotSpot, you can manually define the target viewing direction with which the linked location is to be started when it is entered via this HotSpot. For these purposes in the target location will be displayed a corresponding Target View direction symbol that can be switched to manual positioning if the automatic positioning is not optimal.

_images/icon-360-gealview.png

The HotSpot Target View Automation simplifies the configuration of your tour with three basic concepts:

  • All target view directions follow the spatial orientation

  • They all point in the direction of the GuidedTour HotSpots of the location

  • They all point to the start view of the corresponding location.

As default, the automatic mode 180° Orientation is selected and the Target View Symbols are visible.

Target View Modes

How to find the Settings Menu for HotSpots

180° Orientation

Like walking through the site in real life, the viewing direction is always correctly oriented.

This mode is suitable for architecture, security trainings or crime scene inspections, as the spatial orientation is retained.

_images/hotspotautomatic-chart180.png
Guided Tour

The viewing direction is always near the 4. Guided Tour HotSpot (“next Location”)

This mode is suitable for factory tours that are used for marketing purposes. The observer would be guided through the tour in a short time without having to search where to click to get to the next location.

_images/hotspotautomatic-chart-guide.png
Start View

The viewing direction is always near the Start View Symbol which was manual set to the most important viewing direction.

This mode is suitable for marketing or training purposes. Without having to search, the observer immediately sees the most important area of every 360° location.

_images/hotspotautomatic-chart-start.png

Manipulate manually

How to find the Settings Menu for HotSpots

_images/icon-360-gealview.png

  1. Enable Show and Edit Views in 360°

  2. Find the Target View Symbol in the 360° view

  3. Move over the symbol to see more options

  4. Choose manual mode (The Link Symbol is open)

  5. Now the Target View Symbol can be moved by drag & drop: Moving HotSpots and Icons

If you set to automatic mode again, the Target View Symbol will jump to the position defined by the current automatic mode.

Messages and Warnings

“Target view cannot be linked, no HotSpot found.”

The Automation only works if the 360° Locations are linked with bidirectional HotSpots.

Move Hotspots

Like all icons, HotSpots can be moved easily by drag and drop in the 360° view. It is also possible to adjust the depth if stereoscopic 360° locations are used.

Please read the chapter: Moving HotSpots and Icons

Change Icons

To use other Icons for HotSpots please see: Add Custom Icons to a Project and for customization of the complete Interfaces: Skin Customization

Video Tutorials

Visit our Youtube Tutorial Video Channel