Flash 8 Cookbook

5.9. Creating a 3D Product View from Multiple Angles

Problem

You want to create an interactive 3D product view (360° with multiple camera angles).

Solution

Use Swift 3D’s cameras and render files for use in Flash.

Discussion

The use of 360° product views have become a common feature of many product-centered sites, as they can provide the user with the next best thing to being able to view the product in person. However, they can be difficult to produce and develop. Although photographic solutions can provide the most realistic results, this method requires specialized photographic equipment or outsourcing to a professional photographer. There can also be added difficulties with large objects or those that are difficult to photograph. Finally, at times it is simply not possible to obtain the object to photograph, such as when it is not yet through production.

Although Swift 3D/Flash-based tours cannot provide the flexibility of real-time 3D product viewers, they are free of the high price of licensing normally associated with such solutions. Also, because the viewing is Flash-based, the user has no need to install additional plug-ins, and there is also the benefit of being able to include additional content, such as interactive hotspots, external product data, linked video, and so on.

The following product view example introduces the library of models found within the Gallery Toolbar. Here you will find “out-of-the-box” lathe and extrusion objects, as well as full 3D models. You can also ...