spinControl:VR

OK, so by popular demand spinControl:VR now has 3 flavors to choose from!

* Linguist (dynamic color, fade-in text, 9 languages; uses Flash internally)
* Harmony (simple black-and-white delivery, plays nicely with with QT 7.1.3)
* DIY (like Harmony, but colors are custom)

Read all about it at the spinControl:VR site..., where there are free downloads and example HTML/JavaScript files too!

Enjoy!

I created an HTML template for use with Pano2QTVR, in response to several recent requests. spinControl:Linguist users who also use Pano2QTVR can drop this HTML template file into Pano2QTVR's HTML folder, and then choose it when outputting QTVR & HTML from Pano2QTVR.

Read on for the download, and explanation!

There are many new things in the works for spinControl:VR and spinControl:Linguist, some of which I'll outline below, but first and foremost...

Microsoft/ActiveX workarounds
If you aren't using a Javascript embedding technique for your QTVR and QuickTime media, you should be.

This is an update to my earlier post regarding the sudden decision by Apple to disable by default any Flash content/tracks embedded in a QuickTime movie.

It turns out that Apple's decision is because of "critical vulnerabilities" identified in Flash Player versions 8.0.24.0 and earlier

QuickTime 7.1.3 by default will disable any Flash media embedded in a QuickTime movie. spinControl:VR is an interactive QT movie, and relies heavily on embedded Flash media. So, it appears broken when viewed using the latest QT update. Apple has blindsided potentially thousands of content developers out there who might use Flash media inside their QT movies.

See update at end of post...

I've had several inquiries recently into Web site/page validation (a la the W3C online validator) in general, and the spinControl:VR QTVR controller specifically.

Sadly, the arbitrary set of parameters which is used to power spinControl:VR will not validate through the online validator, as embedded using Apple's Javascript embedding technique. This does not mean that spinControl is functioning improperly nor does it mean people won't be able to view your QTVR content and spinControl controller.

IVRPA member Philip Silver of think interactive has put together a really nice looking QTVR tour. I think it shows how easily spinControl:VR can be incorporated into a full-on site design (rather than just being used with full screen QTVR display).

Like any software, Stitcher has its quirks and bugs and these are of course most apparent (and annoying) to heavy users (of which I'll consider myself one). The Stitcher team has, over time, addressed many of these quirks/bugs -- but of course new ones always crop up. This isn't surprising for Stitcher or for any piece of software being developed. I develop my own interactive QuickTime 'widget' which is used by many in our VR development community, and constantly have to address its quirks and issues.

People who want to offer an alternative to the limited, standard QuickTime VR controller can now do so -- without having to design one, & then spend hours coding it for themselves.

spinControl:VR is a custom QuickTime movie which, when embedded in a Web page with a QuickTime VR, can control the QTVR's pan, tilt and zoom ...and more! New: AutoTilt , AutoSpin and AUDIO CONTROL!