Virtual Tours, Digital Twins, 360 Video & Tour Video. What’s the difference?
When it comes to virtual tours, there are lots of terms around that seem to describe the same thing… Or do they?
We have no doubt that when people do their searches in Google there will be a wide variety of phrases they use.
Do a Google search on Interactive Tour, Virtual Walkthrough, 3D Walkthrough, 3D Tour, 360 Tour, Digital Tour, Video Tour, and the results will be mostly similar… all variations of virtual tours.
What will provide a different result is searches on Virtual Reality, Tour Video, Interactive Walkthrough, 360 Video, 3D Video etc. That’s because they are distinctly different, and yet they are descriptions sometimes used to describe a virtual tour.
As a lot of these terms are in our vocabulary these days It’s understandable that there is some confusion around.
The phrase Digital Twin has also emerged in recent times and whilst it is associated with virtual tours its origin has a much wider definition.
Virtual Tours
A virtual tour is typically a collection of images that allow users to explore a space or building in a 360-degree view. Virtual tours can be created using panoramic photography, photogrammetry, 3D modelling, and other techniques. They are often used in real estate, hospitality, tourism, and other industries to visualise properties or locations.
360 Video
This is a type of video that captures a full spherical view of a scene, allowing the viewer to look in any direction as the video is played. The video is typically recorded using a special camera that captures multiple angles at once and then stitches them together to create the full spherical view. Some platforms like YouTube, Facebook and Vimeo support 360 video playback.
Tour Video
This is typically conventional video footage of a location, as well as information about what the viewer can expect to see or do there. This can include views of the surrounding area, with commentary or music, and footage of activities or attractions. It is typically shot to give the viewer an idea of what to expect if they visit the location or attend the event. They can be used for travel promotion, event promotion, real estate, and many other purposes. Tour videos can be recorded using a variety of techniques, such as a traditional camera, a drone and these days a phone camera.
3D Digital Twins
As the words suggest, it can be taken as being simply a digital copy of a location or physical object.
A virtual tour and a 3D digital twin are similar in that they both allow users to explore a space or building in a virtual environment. However, there are some key differences between the two.
A virtual tour is simply a visual 360 degree navigable representation of a building or location. A 3D digital twin, on the other hand, is an interactive 3D model of a physical space or building. It can include not only the visualisation, but also information. The digital twin is dimensionally accurate and can be measured. A digital twin can be enhanced with additional information about the building or space. 3D digital twins can therefore be used for a variety of purposes, including building design and construction, facility management, emergency planning and much more.
In summary, a virtual tour allows users to explore a space or building in a 360-degree view while a 3D digital twin is a highly detailed, interactive 3D model of a physical space or building that can be used for a variety of purposes.
We’ll be talking further about the wider definition of digital twins in another blog soon.
Our 3D Capture Service
Throughout our website, you’ll see reference to both Virtual Tours, and 3D digital Twins. That’s because our 3D capture service satisfies both virtual tours and digital twin creation. As a virtual tour provider, we know it’s are great for marketing and you’ll find many virtual tour companies in the UK that satisfy this need.We also know that there is a growing need for providing a solution that supports digital innovation for business.
Utilising Matterport & Leica capture devices, which employ infrared and LiDAR technology, allows us to create a 3D copy of both interior and exterior spaces that can be used purely as an immersive walk through environment, or can be enhanced with tags to add information in the form of text, documents, images, video & links to additional sources.
The fact that the space is captured in 3D also allows a full the 3D dolls house view which can be invaluable for user navigation compared to many virtual tour solutions.
The data captured can be used to provide floor plan schematics and 3D point cloud data… all from the a single capture of a space, and helps to make our service cost effective.
So, whether the application is for marketing, property management, industrial, or for construction and BIM processes we’re able to tailor to suit.
Get in Touch
just a few steps away
- tailor package The first step is a discussion about the project and aspects of your business you want to capture.
- plan We'll work with you to plan a date and find the best time to carry out the scan.
- scan The specialist equipment we use captures both 3D & image data at the same time.
- deliver In as little as 48 hours you'll have a link to your digital twin. We'll set everything up to your spec, along with any additional digital assets.
- support We give the support you need to start reaping the benefit, including communicating with your website provider or social media teams as needed.
schedule a call
Call us on 07798 584 583.
Email info@c9vt.co.uk
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