Santa Fe Plaza

How do I make use of a panorama, or "virtual tour"?
Under the title, brief description, and above the thumbnail, click a link: "Full Screen", "Med", "Low", "Java" (For a brief explanation of what that jargon means, after this paragraph they are described.)

The panorama will either load in a brand new window you may close when done with it, or it will load in this window. As the panorama is loading you should click the mouse in the photograph and use your hand to push the mouse in the direction you want to see. Push slowly and the photograph pans slowly, push fast and it moves fast, push up and look up, etc... Some panoramas include sound. (In the mp3 format.)

FS is Full screen

Full Screen immersive panoramas open in a new window. These panoramas are the highest quality offered on this site. Typically between 1 and 3 megabytes they load quickly over broadband and offer the best viewing experience from the highest resolution file.

In the site navigation area, full screen panoramas are the default and abbreviated "FS". Close the window with the full screen panorama in it when you are done viewing it. QuickTime format.

Med is Medium

Medium sized panoramas load faster and have less demanding system needs, perfect for smaller monitors with 32 megabytes of video RAM or less. But still enough resolution to stretch the window full screen on high resolution monitors. Close the window when you are done viewing it. QuickTime format.

Low Loads Quickest, Least Demanding

Best trade off for download time versus the quality of the photograph, and the least demanding system requirements. QuickTime format.

Java A Good Backup

The Java Virtual Machine offers Linux and other operating systems an alternative to the need to install QuickTime in order to view the panos. Java.
 
Most of the panoramas are progressive download for your quick viewing pleasure. "Progressive download" means you can watch the panorama as it downloads. The panorama will download in square bits so you can start looking at it as soon as possible.

You do not need to wait for the whole pano to download before navigating it; as the panorama downloads in the browser window you will see it and can push in it.

Please let me know if you have trouble viewing any of these panoramas.

If you don't have QuickTime when you try to view a pano you should automatically be directed to the web site where you may download it for free.

QuickTime is the richest media creation and playback environment there is, on the web and for the past 10+ years. Available in both Free and Pro versions.

Browse the thumbnails below and choose from the various resolutions and file formats available. Average files sizes: Full Screen are 1 to 3 MB, Medium are 300 to 700 KB, Low are 100 to 400 KB, Java are 250 to 400 KB. Enjoy!

The full screen and medium resolution versions require QuickTime and open in a new window. Quite possibly it's already on your computer. Use an iPod or iTunes with your computer? Then QuickTime is installed. Please consider trying the Full Screen or Medium versions first. If you have trouble, then try the Java version. Install QuickTime when you get a chance, you will be glad you did. It's free; read the sidebar for more info.

Santa Fe Plaza, Bandstand/Gazebo Covered with Snow

In February of 2005 I took a couple of panoramas on the plaza. It was very late and very cold.

Bandstand View

On the Plaza

I think this view of the panorama is kind of neat too, with the obelisk-like structure in the center. Since the panorama is 360 degrees I can "cut" it at any point and change what appears at the center or edges. That also explains why there are no links above this thumbnail, the links above show the exact same scene.
SFPb2_500_a