When transferring your project to another computer we highly recommend exporting the project first.
By clicking on the “export” button (first icon in the side bar), the Studio packages a ZIP file that includes all assets. Then all media paths of the assets will be kept. You do not have to worry about re-adding them again on the new computer. Please note that as soon as the exported project is unzipped, the direct media paths will be created. This means that, when you move the .vrprj file or the folder to a different location later on, the Studio will again not find the media paths anymore. We therefore recommend un-zipping the Export ZIP in a location, where the project will stay long-term. View this video to know more about exporting a project.
 

If a user wants to move freely in VR, this is only possible in an environment that has been generated by a computer and rendered simultaneously in real time. The current positions of the user are recorded and the moving environment is adjusted based on this. Unfortunately, this is only possible if the VR environment has been modelled in 3D in advance and communicates with a programmed system. The same applies to the action of lifting and rotating any objects from the environment itself.

VRdirect is not a platform that works with such complicated setups. Here, the user is supposed to upload and expand his content himself – without needing a developer or a game engine. The focus is on user-friendliness and simplicity. Accordingly, it is not possible to move freely in a VRdirect project. Instead, users jump from place to place and click on interactive objects to learn more about them.
 

The 360° content is enriched with interactivity via the VRdirect Studio. Unlike 360° videos or images, users can interact with the scenes and acquire knowledge, for example, through small games. In contrast to passive 360° consumption, the active participation of the user is required. The user is thus more immersed in the virtual 360° environments and has a more pronounced immersive feeling.

The resulting virtual projects can be consumed and viewed in different ways – both by "click interaction" via the web, but also by eye control in the VR glasses. In the latter case, the user enters the project in full immersion and is completely immersed in virtual reality. 

The possibility to consume via the VR glasses is possible at any time via all our playout channels: there is a VR mode for smartphones in the web player and in the app. This allows the smartphone to be plugged into a Cardboard or other mobile VR headset. In more professional VR glasses (such as Oculus Quest), the VR project can be opened directly via the web browser.  
 

The length of time a user stays in a VR project depends very much on the type of VR project and the end device. If it is a simple tour of a flat, which is viewed on a laptop, the length of stay can be much shorter than with a complex, interactive storyline. However, experience shows, that consumers/users stay in a VR project for up to 10-15 minutes on average. This duration is further enhanced by interactions.  

This can be due to 2 reasons: 
1. the end device on which the VR project is viewed – older smartphone models can sometimes not play back more than 4K or even HD quality. Other devices (for example, new smartphones or VR glasses) can play much higher quality content.

2. the given internet network (if the project is viewed via the web). There are also streaming differences that can lead to different quality levels.

The VRdirect platform tries to play out the highest content possible at any given time.

After downloading the export ZIP file, please move it to a place where it can be stored long-term (e.g. a special folder on your laptop) and then unzip it. Unzipping creates the media paths for all graphics and assets used in the project, which means that if the files or folder are moved later, the VRdirect Studio can no longer find the file paths of the assets. The Studio then reports "File could not be found". 
Only if it is a ZIP file does the project have indirect media paths and can be moved. It is therefore advisable to first select a suitable storage location and then unpack the file. 

The VRdirect Studio can be downloaded again here: 
https://api.vrdirect.com/get-studio/mac

https://api.vrdirect.com/get-studio/win

Please check the VRdirect Studio for the latest updates immediately after installation. If a new update is available, please update. 

The project is saved in the location that the user selects when saving. This is usually locally on the computer, e.g. desktop).

The so-called nadir refers to the base point opposite the zenit, in this case the position of the camera tripod. Because the entire room is photographed in a 360° panorama, the tripod is also photographed. Thus, in a 360° scene, nadir is the point at the bottom and zenit is the point at the top. 

Resources such as sample material can be found on our support page. Graphic designers can help with the visual design of the scenes or you can simply contact VRdirect via contact@vrdirect.com. 

Graphic designers and media agencies can help with the design of VR projects. VRdirect has a large network of partner agencies that can be contacted if required. Please contact support@vrdirect.com. 

• Use as much natural / artificial light as possible
• Use a stable tripod to ensure the camera is centred and steady
• Set the camera at the eye level of a person (approx. 1.60m)
• Do not position the camera too far or too close to the subject
• Clear the space around the camera and make sure that people in the background are not visible during the shot

For more information please use the "360° Production" One Pager. 

Yes, professional photographers can take single images with SLR and nodal point adapter, but they have to stitch them manually in a software afterwards. This process is very time-consuming. 

One possible camera we recommend is the Ricoh Theta V. It has a 3K video resolution, has a battery life of 80 minutes and can take 24-megapixel pictures. It also has a dual lens and costs around 350-400€. 

Stitching softwares include the following: Mistika VR, PTGui, Adobe After Effects, Autopano Giga (Kolor). 

For more information, please check our "Hardware" One Pager. 

No, at the moment this function does not work and you have to edit the music with audio editing software beforehand. However, we are working on a solution. 

After finishing up the registration process, you will automatically get to a download page. Download the VRdirect Studio and install it on your Mac or Windows. Open the installed VRdirect Studio and login with your account details. After the login, the Studio opens immediately in the „Creation“ environment. 
 

• Use as much lightning as possible 
• Use as much equal lightning as possible (from left, right and top) to reduce shadows 
• Use a stable tripod to make sure the camera is centred and very steady (you will see tilting in 360° very easily) 
• Adjust the height of the camera to a person’s eye-level 
• Position the camera not too far from and not too close to your object of interest  
• Make sure to also take “neutral” 360° images – e.g. in the middle of the room 
  (those images can serve later in the experience as menu background or intro image) 
• Rather take more photos than too few 
• Clean the room around the camera – make sure everything looks symmetrical and tidy
  (as this is a 360° picture you will see every little detail in the room – every trashcan, every paper on the floor, …) 
• Make sure the people in the back are not visible or stage them on purpose 
• You can, for example, take 1 photo of the object without people and 1 photo of the object (same camera position) with people – this way it will look like the object “came to life”
  (same goes not only for people but also for settings/position of the machine)  

For more information please read our "Recommendations for taking 360° photos" One Pager. 
 
 

There are free icons and buttons on the internet (e.g. at Flaticon or Pixabay). You can also download the VRdirect Standard Icon Set from the website .
This blog article shows some free programmes for creating icons.

Another possibility is to create icons in PowerPoint with its integrated icon library or to create them in a graphics programme using a professional designer. 

You can record content with 360° cameras. Here we recommend some cameras for this purpose. 

You can also record 360° content with an SLR camera with a nodal point adapter or use existing stock images on the internet (e.g. Shutterstock, Bigstock, POND 5).