• a panorama, in which the user feels as if she is in the center of an image looking around, or 
• an object, where the user is able to 'grab' the object and spin it around looking at the sides, top and bottom.

In addition to providing views of an area or object, 'hot spots' can be programmed into the movie, allowing the user to enter a door and view another movie, click on an object to see it, or review a close up detailed view.

Present more realistic images for exploration or analysis. Because a QuickTime VR allows all views of an object to be presented, it can be more efficient than showing several still images. One disadvantages is that single movies can be large, requiring excessive download time. In an effort to reduce this download, many web developers choose smaller images, sacrificing detail of the image.

Nakasato Virtual Museum Homalocephale calathocercosskull

http://www.dino-nakasato.org/en/vm/Homa-sk-e.html

The Nakasato Dinosaur Kingdom provides a few panoramas of medium quality. This is an excellent example of specific learning with object exploration. Companion text explains specific features of the specimen, encouraging the user to follow along.
 

4Directions Virtual Museum

http://www.edb.utexas.edu/teachnet/QTVR/4DVMuse.htm

The 4Directions project encourages students to explore artifacts of their modern culture, presenting these tools with interpretation. Two of the 4Directions schools also worked with Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian on their Conexus online exhibit. It is a good example of the role QTVR could play in a museum education project.
 

Mayan Archeology

http://www.maya-art-books.org/Jhtml/ballplayer.html

It's difficult to tell if this is a museum site, or a tribute to new technologies. Though the site design prevents easy navigation, several interesting objects are available for review. Detailed interpretation is given on most objects. This site is a good example of QTVR that is not used to its fullest potential. Often, the images are of such poor quality, the QTVR technology does not present any benefits over other modes of presentation.

Exploratorium's Inside Panoramas

http://www.exploratorium.edu/vr/4.html

Here, the Exploratorium allows several opportunities to view the building, exhibit space, even the view from the roof. Unfortunately, these views aren't linked to any learning opportunities. Additionally, the poor lighting detracts from the Exploratorium's presentation.
 

Deutsches Museum

http://www.deutsches-museum.de/mum/panorama/big/e_scher1.htm

Though these panoramas are not interactive, the photographic vantage point, from inside the exhibit, allows the user a better feel for what the exhibit is like. Detailed exhibit descriptions complement the image. Exploring other exhibits on this site, such as the walk-in cell really present a nice view of the exhibits, with images that are large and detailed enough to be of use.
 

4Directions Virtual Tour

http://www.conexus.si.edu/VRTour/TourMaps.htm

Though navigation through this exhibit at the National Museum of the American Indian is slow and difficult, they have the right idea. All panoramas include hot spots with detail images, and nodes for clicking and viewing objects. They also provide a map of the panorama sites which is helpful in navigation.
 

Field Museum of Natural History's Entering Underground Adventure

http://www.fmnh.org/ua/default.htm

This site is an ideal use of QTVR for existing exhibits. Panoramas allow the user to self-select which parts of the exhibit they are interested in. Each panorama has hot spots, where the user can choose to learn more, or enter a different panorama. The exhibit is well explained and backed up with images and movies.

Science Museum of Minnesota Exhibit: Mysteries of Çatalhöyük

http://www.smm.org/catal/

This excellent, inquiry based site weaves QTVR into a complete exhibit highlighting work at a dig in  turkey. The viewer can visit the site, viewing the tents, underground caves and excavated items. All QTVR work is well documented and supplemented with interesting material.

QTVR Use in Museums

This proposal details the use of QTVR in rendering images of 25 artifacts for use in the Conexus Exhibit at Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian. The exhibit is online at http://www.conexus.si.edu.

Details seven uses of QTVR in Museums with examples from the Illinois State Museum Website. Also available from this museum is the Museum in the Classroom project, detailing use of QTVR in museum education projects and technical recommendations.

QTVR Development Tools

Chock full of links, this site reviews the technology, tools, tricks and recommendations for using QTVR.

Provides examples of panoramas and objects, with links to professional developers of QTVR movies.