VIRTUAL reality may have its major thrust in the gaming industry, but one Bega local is among those who can see many more exciting applications.
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Chris Sheedy creates digital content for business websites and organisations through his own business, Reflexe.
Among his photography and videography projects is the creation of virtual tours of businesses via Google Business View – an indoor version of Google Maps and Street View.
Mr Sheedy is a certified “Google Trusted Photographer” and has created some stunning walkthroughs of a handful of local buildings already – the most impressive of which is the Eden Killer Whale Museum.
The project sees the Eden museum join the likes of the Eifel Tower in Paris and the Australian War Memorial in having Google virtual tours.
The virtual tour of the museum allows website visitors to get a feel for the exhibits on display via 360-degree photo panoramas over its three floors – the view from the lighthouse is included.
Mr Sheedy said Google Business View is essentially an extension of Google’s Street View, where certified content producers are paid by businesses to capture their building from the inside and from all angles.
“To become a Google trusted photographer I had to do their online training and then buy special equipment they require,” Mr Sheedy said.
“Then to pass the online test you have to take photos and stitch together panoramas using their software.”
Google liked what they saw and now Mr Sheedy is allowed to market himself as Google certified and upload his work to the internet-dominating platform.
What businesses will see and benefit from is a sponsored link such as is usually seen through the Google search engine, with the link to “See Inside” [Click here and you’ll see an example at the right of your screen].
Clicking on that link takes viewers inside the relevant building for a virtual tour.
Other “Business Views” captured by Mr Sheedy include the Bega Cows Near the Coast digital co-working space, Bilby 3D Printing in Sydney – and hopefully soon, the Bega District News!
“Marketing is not my strong point – I love my geek stuff better,” Mr Sheedy said with a laugh.
Among that “geek stuff” is Google Cardboard – the build-it-yourself cardboard virtual reality headset that can cost as little as $10.
Users can insert their Android phone into the cardboard VR viewer, with certain apps – including Google Inside – able to be manoeuvred through in 3D.
“This takes me back to when I was a kid looking at VR in movies and thinking ‘one day it will happen’.
“There’s always a push with gaming capabilities, but to be honest I think it can work in other exciting ways.
“What’s to stop kids in a classroom all putting on Google Cardboard headsets at $10 apiece and touring the Eden Killer Whale Museum from the other side of the country, the other side of the world?”