VAM2 release notes

v2.4.2

October 12th, 2020
The team of Weiss AG is proud to announce the release of VAM2 in the Version 2.4.2.
We have been working closely with our product managers, researchers, and designers to build what we believe will provide the most value to our users of VAM2.
At Weiss AG, we are continuously integrating new modules and functionalities to help our clients boost their projects.
At present we have more then 200 new functionalities and modules on our wishlist and need to prioritize. Therefore we need the input from you, the real world user. Posting your comments and suggestions, in the VAM2 community is highly appreciated.
For this release, besides bug-fixing and language updates, we implemented the following features:

360° multi-row spin-viewer and image importer

VAM2 now supports multi-row 360° image sets. Based on the image numbering structure, VAM2 combines image sets to one archive suitable for fast display in high resolution inside the spin viewer. These individual sets are available for download as .zip archive also. The image descriptions used in the output of machines like those from Photorobot are implemented for direct import.
The cool feature is that you do not need to use the whole spin view set. If you want to use only some selected views (for example, beauty shots from the front, back, top, bottom, and diagonal), upload the relevant images. It does not affect the viewer’s operation in any way.

Multi-project publishing module with advanced user rights

As we use incremental updates, small changes in massive projects can be published in a fraction of a second.
The procedure of organizing and managing published projects works with one single Publishing Module. Once set up, the user can publish and update any number of projects with a button click.

New database engine for remarkably faster initial opening of projects

The new database engine has a different indication system. For a project with a severe amount of assets, we could achieve a remarkable increase in loading speed of up to times 20 upon the first opening for editing in the back-end.

New upload module now supporting partial file uploads

In the former version, upon temporary loss of internet connection, every file that was not completely uploaded had to be uploaded again from scratch. Now, VAM2 automatically re-connects and proceeds with the upload from the point of interruption.

Copyright flag function for protected content

VAM2 users always work with copyright-protected data. Especially in cultural heritage and art-related projects, the type of copyright of the content must be dominantly visible to prevent content from being falsely published. The copyright indication system allows the administrator to define the individual naming structure as directly compatible with other systems and workflows in use.

Permanent deletion of projects by project creators

One of the basic ideas of VAM2 was that the command “delete” for assets or projects should not erase the data from the database but only make it invisible. This procedure ensures that the administrator can restore falsely deleted data at any time. Permanent deletion to free storage space was only possible for the VAM2 administrator. Upon request, we enhanced the user right management to grant editors the right to delete projects permanently.

Enhanced user management

We integrated the possibilities to define an upload data limit and the number of processing slots available for the individual user. Per standard, VAM2 distributes upload- and processing-slots upon a first-come, first-serve basis. When upload and processing time are limiting factors in collaborating groups, the load balancing can be prioritized for individual users to speed up specific projects.

User upload statistic and upload size summaries

List view with all assigned users, creation date, and project size with search functions.

Incremental backup to external storage devices and cloud storage

Incremental backup on external storage devices had to be manually and individually set up, what was demanding even for experienced system administrators. Now the VAM2administrator can set up event-triggered incremental backups to external storage devices like a NAS or cloud storage space in 1 simple step.

Latest browser communication technologies for even higher security and performance

At Weiss AG, we are continually checking browser updates and their influence on VAM2. We officially support Chrome, Firefox, and Edge and implement the latest technology updates for secure and performant operation.

New Help & Support section with revised User Manual and Video Tutorials

Multi-lingual support and contact channels

Due to our very international client base the VAM2 online documentation is now available in 11 major languages.

Pre VAM2 SaaS Changelog

VAM2 | v2.3.8 – Autoscroll

Automatic scrolling when placing links & measurements close to the screen border makes it easy and convenient.

VAM2 | v2.3.8 – Compass

Compass for 360° spherical images improves orientation in tours.

VAM2 | Changelog v2.3.0 – 2.3.8

Compass for 360° spherical images improves orientation in tours.
  • 2.3.8
    Automatic scrolling, when placing links & measurements close to the screen border. Compass for 360°  sphericals images. Upgrade to Tomcat 8.5
  • 2.3.7
    Hotfix Release
  • 2.3.6
    Hotfix Release
  • 2.3.5
    Publishing
    • Add default-settings for publishing & add functionality to republish projects.
    • Improved pusblished projects loading time & show progress.
    Viewer
    • Option to disable preview-viewer autoload.
  • 2.3.4
    Performance
    • Improved webGL performance in iOS devices
  • 2.3.3
    Minor bug fixes.
  • 2.3.2
    Improved touch-support for all touch devices especially iPad.
    • The new virtual camera models of the viewer allow ultra-smooth movements for more intuitive operation also on touch devices.
      ↳ Smooth operation on all devices
    Audit functions with filtering
    • On project or server base, filtered by user/user-group and period you get a list on all important actions like login, upload or delete and many more.
      ↳ Audit and monitor your VAM2 installation
    Statistics tool
    • Visualise your audit data in statistic diagrams for printout.
      ↳ Monitor and keep track of your VAM2 installation
    Improved measurement workflow
    • Taking measurements in 360° images requires fewer clicks due to intelligent pan and zoom functions.
      ↳ Share details with others at the click of a button
    New camera model
    • New camera model for faster display of super-size images.
      ↳ Share details with others at the click of a button
  • 2.3.1
    Incremental upload
    • When uploading files on unstable connections the upload will pause when the connection is lost and continue once the system got reconnected.
      ↳ Parallel multi-upload and auto-restart after network connection loss.
    New and faster standalone web server
    • Seriously shorter loading times and higher performance for projects especially large ones viewed locally as an exported standalone project.
      ↳ Stable and fast offline-display from an external storage device.
  • 2.3.0
    HTML5 viewer
    • With Version 2.3 we reprogrammed VAM to pure HTML5. That means that VAM2 now works properly on devices that did not support Flash like Apple© IPad, Iphone and others. The application now runs on every device that runs a browser be it PC´s, notebooks, tablets or phones. Furthermore, abandoning Flash improved loading and operating speed and most importantly, VAM2 is no longer affected by Flash security issues. In addition, energy consumption is reduced by up to 75% which makes VAM2 on mobile devices much more efficient.
      ↳ Secure and faster operation on all devices
    360° video viewer
    • The video viewer allows navigating in all directions while playing and even has stereo view support for VR like Occulus rift. Direct switch between 360° and flat display. Timeline with thumbnails to find the right position faster. Possibility to place hotspots in the video timeline, -link everything to everything.
      ↳ Ready for VR applications
    Flat video viewer
    • The new flat video viewer allows the display of up to 4K 60 FPS videos and supports HDR video formats. It has an integrated timeline with thumbnails to find the right position faster. Possibility to place hotspots in the video timeline, -link everything to everything.
      ↳Prepared for the latest formats in highest resolution
    Expert settings for viewer
    • The new viewer provides an expert mode as a drop-down menu, allowing to change all kinds of image representations like white balancing; manually or with a picker, manual color channel modification, inverting, contrast, brightness and saturation. These settings can also be predefined in the back-end and the asset will show up with the pre-defined settings, but can still be changed in the published tour window. So there is no need to manipulate the original, simply upload and change the look on the fly.
      ↳ No need to correct the original asset before uploading.
    VAM2 Toolkit (VAM2 TK)
    • The VAM2TK is a combination of tools for data import-export, backup and security notification settings. The VAM2TK comes in a separate installer as it can be set up by the network administrator, that does not necessarily have to be the VAM2 database administrator.
      ↳ One tool for secure and safe data handling and system monitoring
    Incremental backup tool (VAM2 TK)
    • Define location, frequency and time for the automated incremental backup of the whole VAM2 database.
      ↳ Avoid data loss by automated and secure data backup
    Sophisticated import export tool for single projects (VAM2 TK)
    • Export single projects from one database and import and import somewhere else with ease. You can also export projects to store them on a separate storage device. The VAM2 application itself does not have to be stopped. The integrated test routine indicates if there were any errors in the copying process which you can fix or redo.
      ↳ Prevent data loss through easy and secure data exchange.
    Auto notification tool (VAM2 TK)
    • Widely configurable notification tool. The storage space of a database shall never run full as this leads to data corruption. The auto notification tool allows to define at what remaining disc space an auto notification shall be sent via Email. In the second step you can define at what remaining disc space any further write processed shall be blocked.
      ↳ Automated monitoring with instant notification to react quickly and prevent data loss.
    Hot-spot capability for 3D point clouds and 3D models
    • Allows the user to place an unlimited number of hot-spots and links in your 3D data. The distance control allows to display only those near to your viewing position. 3D point-clouds can also be used as maps, now.
      ↳ Opens up new business models.
    VAM2 now supports 6 languages
    • Allows the user to place an unlimited number of hot-spots and links in your 3D data. The distance control allows to display only those near to your viewing position. 3D point-clouds can also be used as maps, now.
      ↳ Opens up new business models.
    Extended hot-spot editor
    • The hot-spot editor enables more settings with multi-setting and even defines how the linked asset shall be opened. For example, directly jump to the correct page in a user manual or report sheet.
      ↳ Much faster work with hotspot
    Distance between spherical measurement pairs can be freely defined
    • When taking spherical images in an upper and lower position the default distance of 600 mm can now be adjusted freely.
      ↳ Photogrammetry can now also be provided for tiny spaces or with high tripod captures.
    Improved co-working
    • When working in teams on the same project the display of upload and processing queues, remaining processing times, and connection speed are visible to all team members. The adjustable multi thread processing leads to serious processing speed enhancements.
      ↳ Improves the working speed and quality of your team
    Pointclouds and documents can be used as maps
    • Now all assets except videos can be used as maps. For example, pdf´s of CAD drawings, 3D models and especially pointclouds can be used directly to navigate through your projects.
      ↳ 3D navigation to all your assets
    Geo coordinates for all assets
    • It is now possible to add in Lat Long height coordinates in WSG84 format for all assets.
      ↳ Find assets by coordinates, sort assets in 3D space
    Snapshot function for all viewer
    • Snapshots with all markers and measurements, including date, project name and asset name can be produced from any viewer window with one click, ready for email or upload.
      ↳ Share details with others at the click of a button