What is QTVR?
QT stands for QuickTime, which probably some of you will recognize as a sort of media standard in computers. VR stands for Virtual Reality and that might be a bit misleading in this case. QTVR is handling interactive images which the user can navigate inside using the computer mouse. To be able to do that, you need to have the QuickTime VR plug-in installed in your computer. You can download it for free from Apple's website. You need to have version 5 or higher in order to fully experience QTVR.

Important After downloading QuickTime to your computer, you need to make sure the installation is initiated, so that all the files are placed in the proper places. Then restart the computer.

What is QTVR really all about?
Below you will see a few animations to give you an idea of the function. If you already have QuickTime VR installed, you can then click on the example buttons and give it a try.
QTVR is divided into two main areas: "Panorama" and "Object".
In "Panorama" a view is shown where the user can pan around 360° (a full circle). To pan with the mouse might correspond to being on the location and turning one's head around.
"Object" allows the user to rotate single objects in the computer.
For both "Panorama" and "Object" there is a simple version and one a little more advanced version.

How do I "navigate" in the images?
Click on one of the example buttons below on the right. Wait until the image is fully loaded. Then click anywhere in the image, keep the mousebutton pressed down and move the mouse slightly to the side. The image should then start to pan.
 

Cubic QTVR A modern development of the panorama above. Apart from the 360° sideways, this advanced version also features 180° from top to bottom. This means that the viewer can not only pan around and see the four walls of a room, but also look straight up and straight down (ceiling and floor). In other words; it is a complete view from one distinct point.

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QTVR Object This simple version shows a coffee grinder which can be rotated 360° around its axis.

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QTVR Object This advanced version allows the viewer to both rotate and tilt the coffee grinder, so that it also can be seen from top and/or the bottom.

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What is a Flat Panorama?
A bi-product from a QuickTime VR Panorama is the whole view presented in one long image. All four walls in a room or the four cardinal points outdoors can normally not be shown in one single picture, but with the help of QuickTime VR it might look something like this:

Would you like to see more flat panoramas? Then please visit the panorama page. Those pictures are viewable even if your computer doesn't have the QuickTime VR-plugin installed.
Would you rather see more examples of moving QTVRs? Then you are more than welcome to visit our QTVR Gallery. Cubic QTVR can't be described - you need to experience it first hand.
If you are curious of some of the technical aspects of QTVR photography, then perhaps the technical page may be your next choice? Hopefully that page will present some answers to your possible questions. If not, then you are most welcome to contact us and we will see how we can help you.

To re-evaluate an old saying:

A picture may be worth a thousand words
but a Cubic QTVR leaves you speachless