Turning the Map, Based on the Location of the Kiosk

January 2, 2019

Lately we developed a wayfinding software for a newly renovated mall in Tartu, Estonia. The solution there is simple with just 2D map with no possibility to rotate or drag the maps on the screen. Users get to choose their point of interest on the menu and a route pops up on the map leading the way. In case the location is on another floor, the software simply switches around to show the route on the correct floor.

As 3D Wayfinder is a web-based application, then each kiosk is using web browser with kiosk specific URL for the wayfinding project. The URL specifies kiosk ID, so that wayfinding software can identify which kiosk is being used and count usage statistics. Also URL parameter can specify the rotation of 2D map.

How it´s work?

To make it easier how it works we bring you an example of changing the URL:

1)Let’s say that you have a kiosk with ID number 1. Normally the URL for that kiosk would look something like this: http://clients.3dwayfinder.com/NameOfYourProject/?kiosk=1#!/

2) To rotate that you just need to add “&map2DRotation=90#!” after the kiosk ID number. Here’s an example: http://clients.3dwayfinder.com/NameOfYourProject/?kiosk=1&map2DRotation=90#!/

Here is an example of how the map looks on the kiosk inside the main entrance:

Screenshot 2019-01-02 at 13.55.53

The red “You Are Here” icons make the map universal. Below is an example of the same map being used next to another entrance, the picture is just simply turned toward the user of the kiosk and the “You Are Here” icon placed in front of that particular entrance. This additional solution makes the user experience a lot more straightforward.

Screenshot 2019-01-02 at 13.41.09

It is also possible to use different kind of arrows for the ”You are here” icon. This way it is simple for the users to understand which way they are standing and how the kiosk is placed in the mall.

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Our WebGL Rendering Engine Supports Now Full Screen Mode

August 7, 2015

We have added full screen mode to FRAK WebGL engine. Now it is possible to create 3D Wayfinder templates that can open 3D floor plans in full screen.

Full screen with browsers is being used for watching videos, using map application, playing games etc. Usually wayfinding applications are configured to run in full screen by default. So there will be no need for separate full screen mode from browser. When embedding 3D Wayfinder in web-pages or web based applications, going full screen can be really useful. This gives the possibility to experience 3D content through the whole screen when needed. Also in normal state 3D canvas can be mixed with other HTML content keeping the 3D area smaller and it needs less performance.

To use full screen mode with FRAK engine you have to make following API call:
Engine.requestFullscreen(useUpscaling)

Exiting full screen:
Engine.exitFullscreen()

Engine.requestFullscreen() has to be called by a user interaction (i.e. click on a button), as browser need user action for going full screen.
If “useUpscaling” is set to true the canvas is resized to screen dimensions, but rendering will continue at the original resolution. This allows for faster rendering, but the image quality will suffer.

Full screen is required for stereoscopic rendering, this we will also add to 3D Wayfinder soon to provide real-time 3D experience with 3D Wayfinder. Stay tuned!

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