WHTour.org is a stunning 360-degree virtual tour of World Heritage sites from across the globe.
Press Release
REALVIZ®, a leader in image processing software development, is delighted to lend their support for the re-launch of WHTour.org, a stunning 360-degree virtual tour of World Heritage sites from across the globe. WHTour.org is an independent non-profit organization documenting the UNESCO World Heritage List with a series of remarkable panographies. The site is the work of Belgian
photographer, Tito Dupret.
During the 7 years already committed to this valuable project, Dupret has helped produce some of the most impressive panographies ever seen of some of the most historic, rare and often unreachable sites from across the planet in full-color, full-screen splendor. From China, Tanzania, Indonesia, Iran and India to Egypt and now the Middle East, each of Dupret’s panographies is produced with the aid of REALVIZ’ panorama assembling software, Stitcher® Unlimited.
REALVIZ Stitcher is a photo stitching and image assembling software for the creation of professional-level panoramas and 360° virtual tours. Starting from digital images, the software’s powerful central automatic stitching engine enables a diverse range of users to create high-quality panoramas, large-format prints, matte paintings, reflection maps and textures for film & television, as well as dynamic virtual tours for the real estate and
tourism industries
“For the last 15 months I have not published a single image,” explains Dupret. “Around 8 of these were spent shooting 80 new World Heritage sites. An additional 7 months were needed to build the new site and to post-produce the ‘panographies’ – 360 degree imaging. The site now includes significant new areas, including the Middle East and East Africa. These are regions, which currently attract a lot interest in the news, but unfortunately often not for the right reasons. What we want to present is a peaceful message on the rich heritage and natural beauty of these regions.”
“I have been using REALVIZ Stitcher since 2001,” says Dupret “and it has always been a pleasure for me to discover the latest versions of the software, as each one has helped me to reduce the time spent in post-production when producing my panographies. In this way, I can capture as many locations as possible within a limited time frame, and maximize our documentation of the World Heritage sites. We are very proud to have REALVIZ on board as an official sponsor of the World Heritage Tour.”
“We are delighted to continue our support of Tito and the World Heritage Tour project,” adds Dominique Pouliquen, REALVIZ CEO. “We have seen the site grow gradually over the last 7 years, and are proud to be part of such an important contribution to the documentation of such rare and significant sites. “
In addition, the site is now available in French as well as English. There is also a powerful new search engine, different viewing formats, including QuickTime® & Adobe Flash Player, plus a Print mode.
“There are also cubes that you can print, cut, fold and put together with your kids on your knee,” explains Dupret. “This is a fabulous way to help them learn about what World Heritage is.”
For further details on the World Heritage Tour, visit: www.world-heritage-tour.org.
For further details on REALVIZ Stitcher, please visit: http://stitcher.realviz.com, or contact sales@realviz.com.
About REALVIZ
REALVIZ is a leading developer of image based creation software headquartered in Sophia Antipolis, France, with satellite sales offices in Los Angeles, London and Paris. REALVIZ develops a suite of image-based content creation solutions for the film, broadcast, gaming, digital imaging, architecture and Internet communities. Derived from years of research efforts at the renowned INRIA Lab in France, the Company’s applications enable 2D and 3D artists to easily and cost-effectively tackle complex digital imaging projects. REALVIZ’ award-winning products are used by thousands of professional photographers, as well as leading production and effects houses, web design, game development and architectural companies worldwide, including Toyota, Boeing, Daimler Chrysler, The Orphanage, Inc, Cinesite, Framestore CFC, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Warner Brothers Animation, Electronic Arts, Duran Duboi and many others.
REALVIZ technology has been used to create stunning visual effects in many recent major movies, including: 2008 Oscar Winner ‘The Golden Compass’, ‘The Mist’, ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’, ‘Live Free or Die Hard’, ‘Fantastic Four – Rise of the Silver Surfer’, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’, ‘Night at the Museum’, ‘The Last Mimzy’, ‘Grindhouse’, ‘Underdog’, ‘Blades of Glory’, ‘Zodiac’, ‘Goal! 2: Living the Dream’, ‘The Host’, ‘Children of Men’, and ‘Superman Returns’. www.realviz.com
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