Project status: completed Nov 2022.
Project duration: 4.5 months, from concept to completion and delivery.

Revolutionizing Campus Tours: University Canada West Unveils Virtual Tour of Iconic Vancouver House Campus

360Pros helped UCW and GUS Canada showcase the grandiose Vancouver House Campus, nearby amenities, and the incredible downtown setting to international students through immersive VR, desktop and mobile experiences. 

University Canada West (UCW), a part of Global University Systems Canada (GUS), recently inaugurated its new campus in the renowned Vancouver House development by the Bjarke Ingels Group and developed by Westbank Projects Corp. This campus, located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, symbolizes a new chapter for UCW, especially as it coincides with the transition from remote learning to in-person classes post-COVID.

The challenge was to effectively showcase the campus, uniquely positioned amidst three elevated bridge onramps and featuring distinctive architecture. This was crucial, particularly for attracting international students, a key demographic for UCW. The virtual tour needed to transcend mere architectural showcasing; it aimed to capture the vibrant student culture and the human essence of the educational experience.

Recognizing the importance of a localized approach, UCW opted for a domestic virtual tour provider over their usual international collaborators. This led to the selection of 360Pros, known for their adept handling of virtual campus tours and deep understanding of educational marketing. Their approach was not just about displaying the campus but illuminating the entire student experience, from the dynamic Vancouver locality to the unique, 80s-themed neon arcade room on campus.

The end result was an immersive web virtual tour and separate VR experience consisting of:

  • A 360 virtual tour with a total of 55 high-resolution 360-degree images inside and out, plus 4 high-resolution 360-degree drone images
  • Client branded user interface with interactive hotspots, menus, labels and more
  • Oculus Quest and Google Cardboard VR apps with stereoscopic “3D” 360s
  • 20 of the 360 images to feature animated video elements such as tour guides and background activities

Technical Details and Production Process

Camera and Audio Equipment:

  • 360 Panoramic and Video Capture: Utilized Manfrotto tripod, Nodal Ninja NN4 panohead, Sony a7S iii body, and Canon EF 8-15mm f/4 fisheye lens with e-mount adaptor.
  • Audio Recording: Employed Rode Go lav wireless system and Zoom PodTrak 4-channel XLR recorder.
  • Panoramic Capture Method: Executed -3, 0, +3 bracketed shots, with 6 shots across at a -15° horizon and an additional zenith shot.
  • Miscellaneous: Included iPad teleprompter and lightstand for enhanced video production.

Software Utilized:

  • Virtual Tour Design & Development: 3DVista Virtual Tour Pro.
  • Panoramic Stitching: PTGui Pro.
  • Post Production: Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop for panoramic images; Adobe After Effects, and Pro Tools for audio, video, and compositing.

Production Process:

  • Conducted UX & UI consulting and ideation, including interactive design prototyping and storyboarding.
  • Scoped facilities both virtually and in-person for optimal user flow and shot list.
  • Completed on-site 360 photography and videography using specialized equipment.
  • Engaged in extensive photo and video postproduction.
  • Developed the tour in 3DVista VTP.
  • Custom app development for Meta Quest 2, iOS, and Android.
  • Hosted and maintained on 360Pros’s virtual private servers, with web analytics integrated via Google Analytics and Looker Studio.

Special Technical Details:

  • Carefully captured 360 panoramic imagery with background actors in still positions, immediately followed by on-location filming of a video presenter, not using greenscreen.
  • Composited video and 360 panoramas in After Effects to blend the elements seamlessly.
  • Initially planned for stereoscopic capture, but due to time constraints, created stereo pairs from monoscopic panoramas through manual depth-map generation.

Multimedia Elements and Key Features

  • VR Capabilities: Compatible with Google Cardboard and Meta Quest 2, featuring stereoscopic panoramas for an immersive experience.
  • Video Hotspots & Guided Tour: Integrated a school spokesperson into 20 different 360 panoramas, acting as a virtual tour guide.
  • Special Effects: Audio and visual elements, including background characters interacting with campus elements and ambient sound effects for immersion.
  • Drone 360 Panoramas: Provides neighborhood context and an impressive view of the location and campus.
  • Interactive Floor Plan: Custom-designed with building and floor selector tools, clickable 360 scenes, and orientation radar.
  • Accessibility Features: Intro voiceover and subtitles.
  • Onboarding Tooltips: Utilizes 3DVista’s autopilot features for enhanced user guidance.

Links and Company Information

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