Explanation
A hotspot is a designated interactive area within a 360° scene or VR environment that triggers an action when the user clicks, taps, or gazes at it. Actions can include navigation, displaying information, playing media, or launching animations.
Real-world example
In a 360° virtual tour of a hotel, clicking on a glowing icon above a door teleports you to the next room. Clicking on a bed displays its description and price.
Practical applications
- Virtual tours: navigation points between rooms, floors, or viewpoints
- Interactive learning: clickable elements that reveal explanations, quizzes, or videos
- Product showcases: hotspots on a 3D product showing features and specifications
- Storytelling: triggering narrative sequences or branching choices in immersive stories
Types of hotspots
Navigation hotspots
- Teleport the user to another scene or viewpoint
- Usually represented as arrows, doors, or glowing markers
- The backbone of 360° virtual tour navigation
- Can include transition animations or mini-maps
Example: An arrow on the floor in a virtual museum that teleports you to the next exhibit hall
Information hotspots
- Display text, images, video, or audio when activated
- Used for annotations, descriptions, and educational content
- Can be always-visible or revealed on proximity/gaze
- Essential for enriching 360° content with context
Example: A glowing "i" icon on a machine in a virtual factory that shows maintenance instructions when clicked
VR scenario
In an easystory360 virtual tour of a training facility, hotspots serve multiple purposes: arrow markers guide navigation between rooms, info icons reveal safety procedures, video hotspots play instructor demonstrations, and quiz hotspots test the learner's understanding — all without leaving the immersive experience.
Why it matters in professional VR
- Hotspots are the fundamental building block of interactivity in 360° and VR experiences
- They transform passive 360° content into active, engaging learning and exploration tools
- Good hotspot design (placement, visibility, feedback) is key to intuitive VR navigation