VR Objects - Formats Comparison: Animated GIF vs Flash


Vacuum Cleaner VR Image    
Format: Animated GIF
Non-interactive Image
Settings: Continous Rotation		 Format: Adobe Flash
Interactive Image
Use buttons or click-drag over image

Basic Info: A full-scale product was placed on a calibrated turntable and photographed at 15° intervals. A total of 24 images (15 x 24 = 360°) were captured.
GIF, Pros: It is a well-known format and easy to insert in a web page, Powerpoint presentation or multimedia production; no need for a plug-in. Can also be inserted in a printable document. Relatively small file size compared to other formats. Options include speed, direction and number of rotations. Texts, logos and graphics can be added.
GIF, Cons: Limited to 256 colours (picked from a palette of 16.7 million). The animation cannot be stoped, nor restarted if it was designed to stop (except by reloading the page) and the speed is also fixed. This format is not interactive.
Flash, Pros: Flash is designed and optimized for web delivery; files are very small. Its main advantage is interactivity. Options include rotation speed & direction, zoom-in/out, hotspots with links, control buttons, pop-ups, logo & graphics overlay, sound, and more.
Flash, Cons: Flash requires a plug-in (Adobe Flash Player); luckily, it is free and widely available. Inserting into a Powerpoint presentation is a multi-step process. Inserting in other types of media scan be difficult or impossible.
Copyright, Jean Berthélémé, Moncton, NB, Canada