Lateral Visions 3D Web Technology - Applications

Lateral Visions 3D Web Technology has as wide a range of applications as the Web itself. Here are some examples:

Virtual Tours

Existing locations can be recreated with high fidelity as attractive, fully interactive 3D websites, allowing Web users to experience a location virtually before (or instead of) actually visiting in the real world.

Virtual tours have many uses in heritage, property, accomodation and tourism. In some cases, users can visit locations virtually that they could not visit in the real world, for example because the location is unsafe or restricted.

Fly-through tours can be added, complete with voice-over commentary, to take users on a tour of the location and illustrate important features. Virtual tour locations can also be repurposed as a 3D website for the property, allowing access to information like opening times, room or venue booking services, location history and so on.

See 3d.linnean.org.uk for an example of a Virtual Tour website.

Education & Training

Serious games, with the proven track record of enhancing learning, can use the 3D Web to provide a superior deployment model. Instead of large downloads or CD-ROM distribution, learners can simply browse to a website.

Because Lateral Visions 3D Web technology has the unique integrated 2D Web browser, 3D locations can embed any 2D content, from videos to web pages, allowing learning content to be accessed directly within the learning environment. Mentors and teachers can give virtual seminars, giving live presentations or demonstrations. Use of live Web forums within such a seminar can allow participants to ask questions or make comments. The entire event can be recorded and archived as a learning resource for others to return to later.

3D communication and collaboration

Virtual locations can be used as a platform for online communication and collaboration. For example, a virtual location can incorporate 'tagging', allowing users to leave notes and messages (which may include photos or rich media content) attached to items and places within the location. These tags and messages can then be searched, filtered and reviewed by other users and the website owners. Message boards and forums can be placed around the location, allowing spatially contextual dialogue. Collaboration can extend to allowing modification and editing of 3D objects or features, allowing multiple users to work together in creating a design or plan.

Retail

The 3D Web provides exciting new opportunities for online retail. Instead of flat pages, online shopppers can explore a virtual retail space, getting a genuine retail experience in the context of a virtual outlet.

With the 3D web, an online store can incorporate the brand experience from a real store. This can be further reinforced with rich media, lighting, audio and interaction, making a lasting connection with consumers.

Ideally, every real-world store would be developed as a 'flagship store'; however, in reality, physical limitations such as space and cost restrict this. A store designed for the 3D web can utilise the knowledge that has proven successful within real-world retail, while side-stepping the practical, physical limitations involved with developing a real store. It is also available to consumers everywhere, so development can concentrate on the one store rather than many.

3D web stores can combine the best merchandising techniques from both real-world and online retail to better cater to the needs of more consumers. Consumers are drawn in with enticing presentation, and can then access detailed information, including specifications, product images or videos, and even user content such as reviews and recommendations. In this way, consumers can be simultaneously presented with attractive and enticing products, and at the same time able to access a wealth of online information, giving them the confidence to buy.

The dynamic nature of 3D websites is a powerful tool for connecting with consumers. The concept of a 'personal store' is not a new one and is used by most major online retail sites. This concept of profiling your customers to personalise their browsing experience can be used particularly effectively within a 3D Web store. For example, by displaying products and promotions appropriate to the tastes and interests of the individual consumer, using visual merchandising locations to introduce them.

Exhibitions, trade shows and galleries

Virtual exhibition stands can be created to promote companies, products, organisations or ideas. Such stands can display web pages, documents, slideshows, videos and product visualisations using 3D models. Scripted events and tours can be set up to demonstrate processes.

See http://lv3dweb.net/edt for an example of a virtual exhibition stand.

Virtual trade shows can be set up, acting as portals to virtual exhibition stands or 3D websites. These can be representations of real-world exhibitions (except they can stay live even after the event finishes), or they can be fully virtual exhibitions. Dynamic exhibitions generated in response to user queries or searches are also possible. Additional features like videos of presentations and speeches, and meeting/networking areas can also be provided.

Galleries of content can be created, whether images, web pages, or portals to 3D websites. It is even possible to allow users to create and edit their own custom galleries.

Events and ticketing

Venues, theatres, arenas and stadiums can benefit from a 3D website presenting a virtual version of the venue. Consumers can explore the location in interactive 3D, and see the view from any seat or location. Because of the technology's close integration with the Web, a live indication of available seats can be given, and consumers can book seats directly through the 3D website. Taken together, these features provide consumers with the confidence to make a purchase.

3D websites and information access

Anything done in flat 2D on the existing Web can be done with a 3D interface using Lateral Visions 3D Web Technology. Whether or not 3D is an advantage is dependent on the situation. 3D typically allows better browsing and navigation of information, but it is a relatively new technology and few developers understand how to apply it in an effective way. Lateral Visions has extensive experience designing 3D websites and user interfaces, and can produce easy to use, engaging, rich 3D websites for any purpose. 3D websites can also take advantage of the other benefits that 3D brings, including an immersive and engaging 3D environment, and integrated rich media content.

Business presentations can become '3D rich pictures'; instead of flat slides, ideas can be communicated visually inside a 3D environment. A fly-through with a voice-over can be used to present the content automatically, or the sequence can be run manually to allow a speaker to present the content.

Advertising

Advertisers can use 3D websites to visualise and preview adverts in context (on a bus or in a subway station, for example).

Advertising can also be integrated into 3D websites themselves; for example using virtual billboards. Virtual product placement is possible too: a can of soft drink on a desk can link through to the manufacturers brand site.

Advertising sites can be created as standalone 3D websites, where they can benefit from an immersive 3D rich media experience, including gaming content if appropriate. Such 3D websites can promote a brand or lifestyle image, and can be especially effective for younger demographics. As an example, the website for a movie release can be a virtual 3D recreation of a scene from the film, incorporating other content such as audio, video, and web pages directly into that environment.

Games

The rise of casual Web games over the last few years has been striking. Now, using Lateral Visions 3D Web Technology, casual games can be produced in 3D and distributed over the Web. Access control and dynamic 3D websites allow player login control, so subscription or purchase models can be enforced. Dynamic, live advertising can easily be integrated directly into the game world. Player forums and score tables can be created as part of a supporting website, but also placed directly into the 3D game world itself. Because all content is browsed from Web servers, changes and updates to game code or content are trivial to deploy. Dynamic or procedural levels and content can be created on the server, or in the client browser. Games can be constructed out of seperate worlds that can then link back together using World Portals.