As the digital landscape is constantly evolving, coupled with the ongoing advancements from a technological sense – the need to find ways to incorporate these into your brand is a consistent challenge. None is more prevalent than the introduction of 3D virtual tours as well as 360 virtual tours.

Should you be a business that is looking to incorporate these amazing tools into your business (for instance, enhancing your Google My Business or implementing these tours on your website) – it is imperative that you know which is which. For instance, you may have seen a company’s website showcase a full 3D virtual tour of their showroom and are eager to display your company in a similar vein. However, what you didn’t realise is that you have asked for the wrong virtual tour – opting for the 360 tours instead. Resulting in you essentially paying for something that did not match the initial idea that you had in your head.

To rectify this, it is paramount that you liaise with virtual tour specialists first to make sure this mistake doesn’t happen. This is also where our newest article comes into play as we will be providing you with a breakdown of the differences and pros & cons of each virtual tour. Keep reading below to find out more:

What Are 3D Virtual Tours?

In essence, 3D virtual tours are essentially digital copies of existing space (for example a kitchen showroom). This digital space is made possible due to specialist camera equipment which can take 360-degree panoramic photos simultaneously whilst also making infrared 3D scans of a room. Once completed, these will then be laced together in order to create a flawless 3D model of the desired location.

Pros:

A 3D virtual tour allows for a more comprehensive view of the desired location, showing people exactly how a particular space is connected. This is perfect if you are a business that has a showroom. In addition, a 3D virtual tour will come with interactive data points, which means these can contain things such as additional photos, music or even videos.

Should you opt for a dedicated 3D Virtual Tour Service, you can rest easy knowing that this will be easily displayed on your website for traffic to see.

Cons:

Despite not having too many issues, we would be remiss without mentioning the size limitations. Due to each 3D scan position taking up so much data – this will result in the inclusion of a limit regarding the number of scans that can be taken. Some remedies can address this issue, although it’s still worth taking into consideration.

What Are 360 Virtual Tours?

In comparison to 3D Virtual Tours, 360 Virtual Tours still provide an active experience to users – although slightly altered in comparison to the 3D variation. The 360 option moves from position to position, granting viewers an in-depth look at the space itself. This is especially prevalent when you look at Google Maps Street Viewer for instance.
The main reason why the 360 variation is different to the 3D virtual tour is due to the fact that the 360 virtual tours are created while carefully photographing the space whilst using a DSLR camera with wide-angle lenses. More often than not you will also find users use a specialist 360 camera. The images that are taken will once again be woven together to create an immersive and comprehensive 360 tour for viewers to interact with.

Pros:

Opting for the 360 Virtual Tour variation grants you a bountiful array of benefits. Unlike the main issue with the 3D virtual tour, there are no size limitations with the 360 variations. This means this is a great option should you be eager to showcase a larger space such as a warehouse.

In addition, you are also gifted unrivalled image quality due to the use of a DSLR camera. These cameras can capture high-resolution images that will demonstrate a clean and accurate representation of your desired space.

Cons:

One of the main issues can be rectified immediately, although this can only be addressed by who you decide to create your 360 virtual tours for you. For instance, if you choose someone (or even if it is yourself) who has less than a standard camera – your results may not match your initial expectations. Hence, you must source specialists who will grant you your desired results.
It is also worth noting that the final product of a 360 virtual tour will not be as comprehensive compared to the 3D variation. By this, we mean that a fair amount of detail may be lost. This is attributed due to the inability of 360 virtual tours of not being able to capture spatial data – resulting in the removal of interactive floor plans etc.

Conclusion

Both 3D Virtual Tours and 360 Virtual Tours have found themselves in the day-to-day operations of digital landscapes. Proving to be a quirky yet essential component for those eager to show off their spaces to prospective customers. Opting for 3D virtual tours is especially beneficial if you have a small to medium storefront as you do not need to worry about exceeding any size limitations. Coupled with the fact you can make all of your products interactive – what more could you ask for?

In comparison, the 360 Virtual Tours option is great if you have a fairly larger area to showcase. An area with multiple floors perhaps. Regardless if you are eager to implement this for a locational sense or to target nationally – both 3D virtual tours and 360 virtual tours are an excellent way to show off your space.

To get started, speak to our expert photographers at Weignyte today. Alternatively, take a look at our other blog posts to find out other ways to get your marketing off the ground.