Virtual tours using 360º photos and 3D models

Abstract

There are different technologies and approaches for taking 3D virtual tours of spaces that exist in reality. On the one hand, virtual tours can be based on spherical photos (360º photos) and on the other; the virtual tour can be based on 3D models of both the environment and the components that exist in that environment. In addition, the visualization of the virtual tours can be done in low immersion environments (for example, computer or mobile screens) or high immersion environments (for example, virtual reality glasses such as Oculus Quest).These display environments have advantages and disadvantages:In 360º photos, all the detail of the environment is captured, so the feeling of immersion is high. However, being a photo, first person movements cannot be made through the environment. The user can jump from one 360º photo to the next, but cannot move the controller around an object or around it to view it from different viewpoints. In addition, the files do not weigh much and can be viewed on mobile devices or virtual reality glasses without losing detail.With 3D models it is difficult to get a realistic representation of space and all the objects that compose it. It is necessary to work a lot on the textures and lights to achieve a positive effect. However, the controller can move freely and it is possible to observe an object from different points of view. The files, unlike in the case of 360º photos, become heavier as details are added to the scene, making it difficult to reproduce them on mobile devices or virtual reality glasses.This paper shows the results of user experience using the Questionnaire on User eXperience in Immersive Virtual Environments, comparing three forms of representation of a 3D environment: 360º Images on PC, 360º Images using Oculus Quest virtual reality glasses and 3D models on PC.