6. October 2010
From the user observation and subsequent interview it is apparent that in real as well as virtual viewpoints a clear comprehension of the orientation in respect to known features is necessary.Real World
In real environments this can be done by referencing known landmarks, comprehending signs or using a map. Other factors could include previous knowledge of the area as in the case of the User Observation. Orientating a map is only possible if:At least one “landmark features” can be recognised in the view and the map, when the current position is known in the real world and map
![](../../../../files/2010/10/Screen-shot-2010-10-07-at-14.08.161-1024x640.jpg)
![](../../../../files/2010/10/Screen-shot-2010-10-07-at-14.11.12-1024x640.jpg)
Virtual Tours
In the virtual examples the user observed, he felt that knowing the location and orientation at any time gave him a feeling of confidence and also helped him make decisions where to navigate to next.![](../../../../files/2010/10/Screen-shot-2010-10-07-at-14.20.18.jpg)
![](../../../../files/2010/10/Screen-shot-2010-10-07-at-14.30.12-1024x569.jpg)
References between viewpoints
In a virtual tour of an unknown surrounding, the starting point of the virtual tour acts as a reference point for exploration. In the Whiteheads Virtual Tour jumping to the next viewpoint loads that viewpoint at a default orientation irregardless of where the user has come from. This turned out to be very confusing for the user, making him jump back and forth between 2 hotspots before finding his way out.![](../../../../files/2010/10/Screen-shot-2010-10-07-at-15.47.55.jpg)
![](../../../../files/2010/10/Screen-shot-2010-10-07-at-15.48.17.jpg)
![](../../../../files/2010/10/Screen-shot-2010-10-07-at-15.48.57.jpg)
![](../../../../files/2010/10/Screen-shot-2010-10-07-at-15.50.47.jpg)
Analysis: Movement between viewpoints
Probably the main limiting factor for orientation in virtual tours based on photographs is the limitation to a single fixed viewpoint, which can be rotated in full 360 degrees, but no direct movement from this spot is possible. The brain builds up a mental model of the surroundings as we walk to and through spaces. Effectively the user is blindfolded in the process of moving from one viewpoint to the next.![](../../../../files/2010/10/Screen-shot-2010-10-07-at-16.08.14.jpg)
![](../../../../files/2010/10/Screen-shot-2010-10-07-at-16.08.23.jpg)