What is a VR Tour?

Controls and functions

A VR, or virtual reality, tour uses photography and computer software to give the viewer a sense that they are in the center of the picture.

By enabling the viewer to navigate inside an image, a more immersive experience is created. The viewer has a better understanding of the actual site. Perhaps the viewer is even inspired to visit it to see it in person. (No matter how good VR technology gets, nothing tops a real visit.)

The illustration above explains how to use the VR windows that will open as you tour VirtualHudsonValley.

 • When the viewer window opens and the image becomes clear you click on the image with your mouse (or track pad). maneuvering your mouse in any direction, forward, back, right or left, you will be able to navigate through the image. In some programs the tour spins automatically. To stop it spinning, click on the viewer window.

• The minus button zooms in. You can also press the shift button on your keyboard to zoom in.

 • The plus button zooms out. You can also press the control button on your keyboard to zoom out.

 • Some of our VR tours are “connected tours.” The website will always let you know when that is the case. In these tours, when your curser turns into an arrow you can click to explore another area of the tour. A new image will load and you will see the tour you are visiting from a different perspective.