Information tags in a Pro3D tour: how to guide viewers without cluttering the space
Laser scanning is a modern technology for creating accurate digital copies of real objects and spaces. One possible output is an interactive 3D tour that lets viewers move virtually through a space, explore it from every angle and access additional information. To make the tour as useful as possible without overwhelming users, it is important to use information tags effectively.
Pro3D develops software for creating these 3D tours and managing their content effectively, including information tags. These tags are more than decorative elements: they are a powerful way to communicate important information, from descriptions and close-up details to contact information.
Why use information tags in a 3D tour?
Information tags, also known as interactive hotspots, are elements you can place within a 3D tour. They add context, details or additional information to specific objects or areas. For example, a tag in a museum might describe an exhibit, one in a shop might provide product information, and one at an industrial facility might show equipment specifications.
The main purpose of tags is to enrich the viewing experience by providing access to additional information without leaving the virtual space. This helps hold users’ attention, increases engagement and makes the tour more useful. Without tags, a 3D tour may simply be an attractive visual presentation; with them, it becomes a versatile tool for a range of tasks.
Pro3D lets you add photo and video tags, media screens, menus and client-specific branding to tours https://pro3d.pro/pleer-3d-turov. This makes it easy to tailor the content to the tour’s objectives.
Types of information tags and how to use them
There are several types of information tags, each suited to particular tasks:
- Text tags: The simplest and most common type. Used for short descriptions, object names, directions or explanations. In a property tour, for example, a tag might describe a room or state its floor area.
- Photo tags: Let you attach one or more photos to a tag. This is useful for highlighting details that may be difficult to see in the 3D tour or showing an object from another angle.
- Video tags: Let you embed a video, such as a promotional clip, equipment instructions, historical background or a video testimonial.
- Link tags: Link to an external resource, such as a website, product page, contact form or social media page. They offer a convenient way to connect the tour with other online resources.
- PDF document tags: Useful for giving users access to catalogues, brochures, technical data sheets or price lists. According to Pro3D’s documentation, tags can contain text, photos, PDFs and links https://pro3d.pro/dokumentaciya.
- Media screens: A special type of tag that lets you place videos or photos directly on walls or other surfaces within the tour. This creates a sense of presence and integrates multimedia content directly into the space.
The right tag type depends on the information you want to communicate and the format that will work best for viewers. For example, video is better suited to demonstrating an industrial process, while text and photos work well for describing architectural features.
Avoiding clutter: balancing information and visuals
Overloading a space with tags is a common mistake that can put users off. Too many pop-ups, too much text or distracting elements can make a tour frustrating rather than informative. The key is to balance the amount of information with how easily users can take it in.
Here are a few recommendations:
- Keep it simple: Place tags only where they are needed and provide valuable information. Avoid repetition and unnecessary detail.
- Keep tags relevant: Each tag should relate clearly to the object or area beside it.
- Be concise: Text tags should be brief and informative. If you have a lot of information to share, use a link to an external resource or a PDF document.
- Create a visual hierarchy: Use different tag sizes or colours to highlight the most important ones.
- Reveal information gradually: Instead of showing all the content at once, start with a short description and invite users to explore the details, for example by clicking a “Read more” button.
- Use media screens: For visual content such as videos or large photos, media screens may work better than pop-up tags because they fit into the space without blocking the view.
- Test the tour: Before publishing the tour, ask a few people to test it and give feedback on how easy the tags are to use.
Pro3D software lets owners edit their tours themselves, adding and updating photo, video and link tags, media screens, tour menus, the starting point, logo and description https://pro3d.pro/platforma. This provides flexible content management and allows quick updates without rebuilding the entire tour.
Comparing ways to use laser scanning data
Laser scanning produces a wealth of data that can be presented in various formats. The right format depends on the intended purpose and the audience’s needs.
The table below outlines the main options and their characteristics:
| Output format | Description | Benefits | Limitations | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photos/Videos | Conventional images and videos captured during scanning or separately. | Familiar format, easy to share, no specialist software required. | No interactivity; does not convey spatial depth. | Advertising, presentations, overviews. |
| Panoramic tour | A sequence of linked 360-degree panoramas that lets viewers move between capture points. | Immersive, easy to use, no powerful hardware required. | Limited freedom of movement; no precise measurements. | Virtual visits, exploring a site. |
| Interactive model (Pro3D 3D tour) | A three-dimensional model of a site with freedom of movement, a dollhouse view, a floor plan and interactive tags. | Highly interactive, easy to understand visually, supports multimedia content. | Requires more computing resources to display; does not always include precise measurements. | Property presentations, museums, educational projects, marketing. |
| Point cloud (E57) | Raw laser scanning data: millions of points with spatial coordinates. | High measurement accuracy; a foundation for design and modelling. | Requires specialist software for viewing and processing; difficult for general users to interpret. | Architecture, construction, engineering, restoration, quality control. |
| BIM model (DWG) | A building information model containing both geometry and data about individual elements, such as materials and specifications. | Comprehensive information for designers; supports analysis and calculations. | Complex to create; requires extensive expertise and expensive software. | Design, construction, building operations, facilities management. |
Pro3D supports data export in E57 and DWG formats or as BIM deliverables, allowing scan results to be used for both visualisation and design work https://pro3d.pro/platforma.
Checklist for creating effective information tags
Follow this checklist to make information tags work for you:
- Define the purpose: Clearly define what each tag should achieve. Its purpose might be to inform, support sales, guide users or provide training.
- Choose the tag type: Choose the most suitable format (text, photo, video, link, PDF or media screen) for each piece of information.
- Prepare your content: Make sure the text is clear and concise, photos are high quality, videos are optimised for the web, and links lead to up-to-date pages.
- Place tags strategically: Place tags in logical locations where they will be most useful without obscuring important interior features.
- Keep the visual style consistent: Where possible, use a consistent tag design that matches the overall style of the tour and your brand.
- Check the interactive features: Make sure all tags open, links work, videos play, and photos display correctly.
- Optimise for mobile devices: Remember that many visitors will view the tour on their phones. Tags should be easy to read and interact with on small screens.
- Make sure tags can be edited: Make sure you can quickly edit tags through your Pro3D account whenever information needs updating.
Questions and Answers
How often can information in 3D tour tags be updated?
The owner of a tour created using Pro3D software can edit tags containing photos, videos and links through their account. This makes it easy to update information, such as prices or contact details, or add new content without reshooting or rebuilding the entire tour. https://pro3d.pro/platforma.
Can tags help visitors navigate a large property?
Yes, tags can be an effective navigation tool. For example, you can add tags with directions to specific areas, departments or exhibits. While visitors mainly navigate the tour by moving between capture points, using the floor plan or exploring the dollhouse view, tags can complement these features by highlighting key locations or routes. https://pro3d.pro/pleer-3d-turov.
Which file formats can be embedded in tags?
Information tags in Pro3D 3D tours can contain text, photos, videos and links. PDF documents can also be attached. For videos and photos, we recommend common web formats to ensure they display correctly across devices and browsers.
Will tags be available when viewing the tour offline?
Yes. If the tour is packaged as a standalone application for offline viewing (available for Windows, macOS or Linux), all added tags, including photos and videos, will be available without an internet connection. This makes the offline tour a fully functional presentation tool in settings without network access, such as exhibitions or isolated networks. https://pro3d.pro/pleer-3d-turov.
Next step
To find out the price of creating a 3D tour for your property and choose the right set of interactive tags, use the pricing calculator on the Pro3D website or contact the company's specialists for advice.
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