First Step to Augmented Reality: Combining VRML and Pano-Photos 
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3. COMBINING VRML AND PANORAMA-TECHNIQUES 
We tried to combine both: digital panoramas (first we used panoramas, „stitched“ by Quicktime VR, then we used Realer, later 
labeled as Livepicture's IVR), which are compatible to VRML 2.0. VRML also enables creators to use a background, formed by six 
sides of a cube. Normally those sides are made from colored backgrounds. When using photographs (made by a panorama-camera), 
those 6 sides are totally melted together and creating a totally realistic interactive background (figure 3). 
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Figure 3: One of the earliest and best examples for a spherical pano is the interior view of Sydney’s powerhouse. 
This enabled us to realize different sceneries: 
- creating a virtual building on an unbuild site, looking at the virtual building and also seeing the naturally „textured“ 
surrounding. 
- going inside a virtual building, simulating the view to the site (when turning around, you can have a „natural“ view into the 
garden 
We had to develop the integration of panoramas in VRML and the cad-model in VRML - a step towards „augmented reality“. But 
there is one point, which restricts the movement inside a VR-model: the point of view, either in a static photograph or in a panorama- 
photograph, limitâtes the movement of the user in a VR-world. While it is possible in VR-worlds without a photographic- 
background, to move around and look at the VR-scenery from different points, the usage of a photographed background sets limits: it 
is only possible to move around for a few meters. We defined an invisible VR-Box, which allows the movement and the turn around 
to see the panorama from different sides. 
4. INTERACTION INSIDE VRML 
The next step is interaction inside of VRML-sceneries - made with VRML and EAI. We already have some prototypes of VRML- 
EAI and are developing the next generation of navigation inside augmented reality. We have developed an interactive toolbox, 
creating geometric elements directly inside of VRML-worlds. 
At the moment we work on combining digital-panorama-surroundings with interactive EAI-generated virtual objects for interior 
design as well as for architectural planning in the cities together with „normal“ people (citizens, neighbors, non-architects) - 
simulating alternatives, developed by specialists like architects, town-planners etc. There is a real success and more confidence in the 
planning by this kind of VR-simulation instead of only working with maquettes. 
5. INTERACTION FOR NON-ARCHITECTS 
The fields of using these techniques reach from professional design to design with non-architects, with users („laymen“) of any kind 
of architectural object - e.g. a museum. We are just designing an exhibition in a museum, using all those techniques: photographing