| Virtual Reality page The vrml worlds use the Cortona browser plug-in, which supports vrml animation, and you can wander around the worlds. Most of these vrml worlds link to each other, but in case you have difficulty, separate urls are listed below. A page of 3d JPG dials you may easily see, using just your eyes (based on the old antique stereoscope system). |
| STUFF ABOUT BUILDING VIRTUAL WORLDS These worlds can be browsed with any VRML browser, i.e. Mozilla, Netscape, and Internet Explorer with the Cortona vrml plugin, Browsing online works, but double clicking a saved vrml file on disk does not. The standalone vrml viewers below work on Vista win64 however while they support vrml models, they do not support vrml worlds such as Jaipur:- On Windows Vista win64, using the Cortona plugin, may sometimes crash. Mostly it works. It does work with my Jaipur world of sundials, and it also works for my individual dials. BUT for standalone viewing offline, and not all models work so persevere, use a standalone viewer such as:- These worlds were created with the ISB product from Parallel Graphics using the PUBLISH function. These worlds are also on the CD that goes with the book. The animation was added after the basic worlds were created using ISA from Parallel Graphics also, and they use the PUBLISH function, and also require the SAVE function. The ISB and ISA programs have trial download versions. Use ISB to first build the main world, and to establish viewports, and only when happy with it, then and only then use ISA to animate it. The ISB builder user may wish this BASIC program to cross check urls of a published .wrl world, written using Just BASIC which is free here. |
| Other vrml files are here as links on the main web page. |
| VIRTUAL REALITY WORLDS OF SUNDIALS ~ you can walk around them. VRML and later X3D is to 3d virtual reality what HTTP is to text and simple graphics. With VRML you may maneuver around 3d objects. Illustrating Shadows brings virtual reality to both web users as well as to stand alone computers when it comes to sundials. Web browsers (Netscape, Mozilla, Internet Explorer) do not support VRML or X3D directly, they need a plugin. There are many plugins, for XP and Vista win64 the Cortona plug-in is fully usable. BOTTOM LINE: for internet stored worlds, use the Cortona Plugin. File browsers for large virtual worlds: if the virtual worlds are on your computer and not on the internet, then you may use Instant Player on Windows Vista, or you may use Internet Explorer with the Cortona plugin if you are using Windows XP. BOTTOM LINE: for worlds stored on your computer use INSTANT PLAYER for late XP serivce packs or Vista, and Cortona for early XP systems. NOTE: If you get file associations right, Cortona enabled, and answer YES to all sorts of ActiveX messages, the Internet Explorer+Cortona works on Vista, if any problems then use Instant Player. File Browsers for small sundial models: the Cortona Browser plugin works if internet based, for computer based it also works for old XP systems. For later XP systems or Vista use SWIRL. NOTE: If you get file associations right, Cortona enabled, and answer YES to all sorts of ActiveX messages, the Internet Explorer+Cortona works on Vista, if any problems then use Instant Player. CAUTIONS: Using a web browser with a plugin for computer (as opposed to internet) files may get you into a circle of the computer asking permission to open the vrml (.wrl and .wrz) file which never ends, so, use INSTANT PLAYER instead. Cortona may crash your Vista win64 computer once or twice, however persevere and it will work very well. Useful links: cic.nist.gov/vrml/vbdetect.html a useful set of links for misc operating systems and computers www.cortona3d.com/cortona the plugin for most browsers, for internet based worlds and models. www.instantreality.org INSTANT PLAYER works standalone and lets Windows Vista users view computer stored worlds in vrml which is helpful since Vista and later XP service packs prohibit a web browser with a plugin from viewing local files which they allow if from the internet. For small computer based models use SWIRL. www.pinecoast.com SWIRL is a good viewer for small models stored on the computer (for worlds use INSTANT PLAYER) WINDOWS: Browser plugin: Cortona Navigation uses the mouse and SHIFT or CTRL speeds it up. Hyperlinks to other worlds may or may not work depending on how Windows feels that day. Works for large worlds and small models if internet based, and for computer based files if an earlier XP system. If later XP or Vista and computer based then use INSTANT PLAYER for large worlds such as Jaipur, or Swirl for small models. Standalone browser Instant Player Works for full scale worlds stored on your computer, worlds such as Jaipur Observatory, not as good for small models. Standalone small model viewer The Swirl Viewer from Pine Coast works very well for small models of sundials, not usable on large worlds. Another standalone viewer An alternative to Pine Coast's Swirl viewer. INSTANT PLAYER and SWIRL are all free, as is CORTONA. Navigation using Instant Reality is best done with NAVIGATE and FLY then use the mouse or arrow, and to speed it up do +++++, and if you hit an object you must back up. Read these notes here for details on enabling the Cortona plugin, problems, navigation, and other helpful clues. |
| The Sundial Primer's virtual dial web site |
| THE FINE PRINT STUFF ~ IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE READ THIS Internet Explorer MAY block the VRML as a pop-up, let it proceed. Consider the TOOLS, INTERNET OPTIONS, ADVANCED, ACTIVE CONTENT feature in IE. Internet Explorer may need you to tell it to check the cache versus the web site. Consider TOOLS, INTERNET OPTIONS, GENERAL, TEMPORARY INTERNET SETTINGS, EVERY VISIT TO THE PAGE or AUTOMATIC. CORTONA FIT helps if the vrml model seems tiny, but only with models, avoid using it on full worlds.. STUDY lets you manipulate the object Mouse and arrow keys allow navigation. RIGHT CLICK brings up options, including other viewports. In CORTONA, SHIFT key speeds movement. Right click get good things, especially viewports. In INSTANT PLAYER use the + or - numeric pad key to control navigation speed. The main world is simon.wrl, it links to simonHA (hour angle dials), simonJAIPUR, and other worlds, and those worlds have links back to the main world. Some have links to detailed vrml dial models you can manipulate. These web urls ARE CASE SENSITIVE. Some models are not in the link, so separate urls are available below. PLEASE report any failed links to illustratingshadows at yahoo dot com These notes in pdf form. |
| Also, check out some pictures of other virtual sundials here at the Sundial Primer web site. The Parallel Graphics repositary or virtual worlds is here (not sundial related, but excellent). |
| Models you can manipulate and study Windows XP service pack 1 or 2 - Cortona plugin works if using the internet link to my Jaipur world, or, if on the CD you get with Illustrating Shadows. Windows Vista and late model Windows XP - Cortona plugin works if using the internet link to my Jaipur world, but, if using files on the CD you get with Illustrating Shadows do not use the internet browser, use Instant Player. Cortona may crash the first time or two, so reboot and persevere, the experience is well worth it. Here are a few models |
ANIMATIONS: The main world has the moon, earth, and sun in orbit, and
the sun orbiting the earth at the solstices and equinox. Jaipur has an earth,
moon, sun orbit system. The sundial garden has the moon, earth, and sun
in orbit, and polaris together with cassiopeia and ursa minor rotating.
Above are a few hot links, the worlds link to many vr models you can
explore, walk around or manipulate and see how they are made.
the sun orbiting the earth at the solstices and equinox. Jaipur has an earth,
moon, sun orbit system. The sundial garden has the moon, earth, and sun
in orbit, and polaris together with cassiopeia and ursa minor rotating.
Above are a few hot links, the worlds link to many vr models you can
explore, walk around or manipulate and see how they are made.
| Jaipur and other full worlds you can walk around this world, click on dials to explore them, and so on. Windows XP service pack 1 or 2 - Cortona plugin works if using the internet link to my Jaipur world, or, if on the CD you get with Illustrating Shadows. Windows Vista and late model Windows XP - Cortona plugin works if using the internet link to my Jaipur world, but, if using files on the CD you get with Illustrating Shadows, use Instant Player. Cortona may crash the first time or two, so reboot and persevere, the experience is well worth it. There are other worlds also, such as |
"*" means animation in the model
| The entire solar system is about 2mb so don't even think of using dial up |
| A house and the dials that are discussed in the CASE STUDIES part of this site |
| August 29, 2010 |
| SIMPLE GUIDE TO NEEDED SOFTWARE Windows XP sp 1 and 2 Use Cortona plugin for internet worlds and models, and for worlds and models on your local hard drive. Windows XP sp 2, or if Cortona fails for you Use Cortona plugin for internet worlds and models. Use Instant Reality for worlds on your local hard drive. Use Swirl (Pine Coast) for models on your local hard drive. Windows Vista up to win64 Use Cortona plugin for internet worlds and models. Use Instant Reality for worlds on your local hard drive. Use Swirl (Pine Coast) for models on your local hard drive. |
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| Read these pdf notes for how to use Cortona, Instant Reality, and Swirl, and how to navigate the worlds and models. Covers enabling the Cortona plugin, file associations, and problems. |
| Read these pdf notes for how to use Cortona, Instant Reality, and Swirl, and how to navigate the worlds and models. Covers enabling the Cortona plugin, file associations, and problems. |
| works on Vista win64 and Windows XP but vrml in Windows 7 needs the latest Cortona plugin, see this web site |
| Bobbin armillary gnomon 8/1 |