QTVR Flattener Read Me

QuickTime VR (Virtual Reality) is a compelling technology for delivering
interactive object and panorama movies.  QTVR has always been well-suited
for web delivery because of its compact size.  But over low-bandwidth 
connections such as 14.4 and 28.8K modems, large movies take time to 
download.  A Streaming VR movie compensates for slow-bandwidth connections
in one of two ways:  either by first rapidly downloading a low-resolution 
preview of the VR movie, or by resequencing the data so that the panorama 
data loads in and displays a tile at a time.  Either way, users on slow-
bandwidth connections are quickly presented with data they can use to 
determine if they want to continue the download. 

This document tells you how to create Streaming QuickTime VR object and 
panorama movies using either the low-res preview or re-sequencing methods.  
If you need more information about QuickTime VR in general, please visit 
the QuickTime VR web site at:						
<http://www.apple.com/quicktime/qtvr>


How is the QTVR Flattener extension installed?
Simply drag the QTVR Flattener file into the system directory folder.

How does QuickTime VR Fast Start Playback Work? 
Fast Start playback can be used on both QTVR 1.0 and 2.0 movies. There are 
two options: 
1. Create a Low-resolution Preview Track:A low-resolution preview can be 
either automatically generated or specified by the webmaster.  On slow 
connections, this preview track will be displayed first, complete with 
all hotspot information.  As the movie continues to download, the preview 
track data is replaced by the original panorama data. 
2. Resequence the VR Data: For panoramic movies over slow connections, a 
black background with a grey grid will be displayed first.  As each tile 
of the movie is downloaded, it replaces the part of the black background 
it occupies.  Hotspots are not available until the movie has been fully 
downloaded. 

For object movies, the data is reorganized so that over slow connections, 
the default row is displayed first.  The rest of the movie data is 
displayed as it downloads.  This does not affect the appearance of the 
movie in any way.

How do I create Streaming VR movies?
Follow these steps to create a Streaming VR Movie:
1.  Using QuickTime Player, open a QuickTime VR single-node panorama or 
object movie.  (Note:  At this time, the Streaming feature is not available 
for Multi-node panoramas.) 
2.  From the File Menu, choose Export... 
3.  Choose 'Movie to Streaming QuickTime VR' from the pop-up. 
4.  Click on the Options... button to bring up the options dialog for 
Streaming VR movies. 

The Options dialog has several options: 
Create Preview: This option creates a low-resolution preview for panoramas.  
If you do not check it, or the movie is an object movie, none of the 
other options will be available. 

If you export the movie without a preview, it will be resequenced. 
Compression Settings: If you are creating a low-resolution preview, this 
option allows you to choose which compressor you wish to use when creating 
the preview data for panoramas.  All of the compressors will be available, 
but you must select from one of the following supported VR compressors:
Component Graphics
Motion JPEG (A or B) 
None 
Photo 
JPEG (recommended)
Planar RGB Video

The recommended compressor for preview images is Photo JPEG due to its 
small file size.

Size: This specifies whether to create the preview at one-half or 
one-quarter the resolution of the original image.  Choosing one-quarter 
will produce a smaller, more pixelated preview image than one-half. 

Blur: This option will blur the preview track for Panoramas and the 
Preview data for Object movies.  This helps reduce the pixelated 
appearance of the preview data and is especially effective when you 
are creating a 1/4-resolution preview.

Import Preview Image: You can choose to specify a preview image rather 
than have it automatically generated.  If you choose this option, when 
you export the movie you will be prompted for a preview image.  You may 
select any Still Image file that QuickTime 3.0 supports to use as the 
preview.  Important: You must have rotated the preview image 90 degrees 
clockwise beforehand.  It is also recommended that in order to avoid 
preview image scaling, your preview image size should be the same size 
as your panorama.
5.  Once you've chosen your settings, click the OK button. Enter the a 
filename for the Streaming QuickTime VR movie and click Save.  If you 
have chosen the "Import  Preview Image" option, an additional dialog 
will be presented for you to choose the preview file for the movie.

Enjoy