RallyVista, 3D animated maps

For one year now, RallyVista site shares WRC stage maps under a 3D animated form.
You'll find it at http://www.interactiveinfluence.com/techali/rallyvista/

We though that instead static and flat map, a 3D display using all Google Earth applet features, would better show rally roads characteristics, difficulties and athmosphere. On this site you will virtually follow a car on the 3D map and thanks to beacons and distance+elevation indicator you will be able to locate it in the space.

http://i38.servimg.com/u/f38/15/38/23/21/rvpres10.jpg

If you fail to run the application, here are some tips:

First, use the right browser. The application was designed for Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. For technical reasons, we were unable to adapt it to MS Explorer.

On the home page, select "2015 Events" (1) and then the rally you want to explore. You can also directly go to the current event by clicking on the rally plate (2).
http://i38.servimg.com/u/f38/15/38/23/21/rvpres11.jpg

At first, when arriving on the rally page, you will be prompted to download Google Earth applet. Click on the link and possibly restart your browser to complete the installation.
http://i38.servimg.com/u/f38/15/38/23/21/rvpres12.jpg

From the event overview, you can select the stage you want to view from the drop down menu (1) or by clicking on its route (2) (a label appears, you can delete it by clicking anywhere in the window). Click “OK”.
http://i38.servimg.com/u/f38/15/38/23/21/rvpres14.jpg

You are then taken to the start of the special. Wait until the car is on the line. Set your pace (1) (the speed of the car on your computer depends on your Internet connection) and your favourite view (2). Click "Run" (3) and go!
http://i38.servimg.com/u/f38/15/38/23/21/rvpres15.jpg

Here's what you get with the default settings:

http://i38.servimg.com/u/f38/15/38/23/21/rvpres16.jpg

On the dashboard (the stripe under the window) is displayed the following information:
- Left generic data: number and name of the stage, schedule, length, min / max elevation (this information comes from organizer official documents and, for elevations, the most accurate available topographic maps)
- Right the situation of your car: distance already traveled, elevation (data is directly taken from the Google Earth applet and often contains few meters inaccuracies)

To add realism, it is possible to remove the line on the road by unchecking "Info & enable race" cell (1) and / or put the car in scale 1 by checking "Vehicle true scale enable" (2 ).

http://i38.servimg.com/u/f38/15/38/23/21/rvpres17.jpg

You can imagine yourself as a crew member by clicking the inboard view:
http://i38.servimg.com/u/f38/15/38/23/21/rvpres18.jpg

Unfortunately, the show is marred by a very imperfect road relief modelling (it is understood that Google offers for free the entire Earth's surface from satellite pictures and it is already wonderful!). I suggest you rather to use the Street View option when available (we make it available when every stage road is "covered" and point out it to you with an asterisk next to its name).

For this you have to click next to the Street View guy (1) preferably from the stage start. At that time a window appears in the bottom left corner. We suggest you to pair Street View with aerial view (2) that simultaneously provides an overview of road difficulties and helps to better situate your car.
http://i38.servimg.com/u/f38/15/38/23/21/rvpres19.jpg

At any time, help is available clicking “i" icon with the flag corresponding to the preferred language (3).

Wishing you a very good time on RallyVista across World rally stages. Do not hesitate to make your comments or ask questions. For us it is very frustrating to spend as much time to develop this application for each event and stay with so few feedback. So I am relying on you!

http://www.interactiveinfluence.com/techali/rallyvista/

We are currently working on the animation for Rally Sweden. I recently had a surprise using Google Chrome. The navigator locked the window and ask to allow the Google Earth plug in to start :
http://i38.servimg.com/u/f38/15/38/23/21/rvpres20.jpg

Don't worry, if you have the same problem go to the right end of the menu bar and click on the puzzle part icon. Check the first cell to allow plug-ins on interactiveinfluence.com which hosts the RallyVista site.
http://i38.servimg.com/u/f38/15/38/23/21/rvpres21.jpg

This week it's "When Snow White meets the rally". To know what is hidden under the swedish ice go on Rallyvista:
http://i38.servimg.com/u/f38/15/38/23/21/swepre10.jpg

http://www.interactiveinfluence.com/techali/rallyvista/

The application for Rally Mexico should be ready... Unfortunately Google updated Guanajuato's view 2 days ago. We are working hard to check in time.

http://i38.servimg.com/u/f38/15/38/23/21/presme10.jpg

Google did not make our life easy but Rally Mexico is finally online !

http://www.interactiveinfluence.com/techali/rallyvista/

RallyVista is back with the WRC. With a bad news unfortunately: the application isn't currently available with Google Chrome.
Let's go on Mozilla Firefox !
http://i19.servimg.com/u/f19/15/38/23/21/presar10.jpg

http://www.interactiveinfluence.com/techali/rallyvista/

For SS1, we had to innovate to create a chase between 2 contenders. To calculate a gap of "15s" we had to simulate car speed on the track. As result we got a total time of 1min58s for the stge. We will see how good (or bad) was our forecast on Thursday night...
http://i19.servimg.com/u/f19/15/38/23/21/argpre10.jpg

A lot of work to simulate this du Rallye de Portugal and his "brand new" stages. We will think that WRC event organizers agreed this year to make our life complicate!
http://i19.servimg.com/u/f19/15/38/23/21/prespr10.jpg

http://www.interactiveinfluence.com/techali/rallyvista/

So many kilometers to be run in Sardinia... and to be viewed on RallyVista.

http://i18.servimg.com/u/f18/15/38/23/21/pressr11.jpg

http://www.interactiveinfluence.com/techali/rallyvista/

Pikes Peak Hill Climb's course is still available on RallyVista (The race is scheduled this week end with the terrific LMP2 prototype - HPD ARX4 - of Justin Wilson)
http://i18.servimg.com/u/f18/15/38/23/21/pppres10.jpg
http://www.interactiveinfluence.com/techali/rallyvista/

Good news, RallyVista is still available with Google Chrome: You just have to authorize the NPAPI plugins activation (which was previously automatic).

- In your URL bar, enter:
chrome://flags/#enable-npapi
- Click the Enable link for the Enable NPAPI configuration option.
- Click the Relaunch button that now appears at the bottom of the configuration page.

A lot of brand new stages for Rally Poland. It is of course available on RallyVista:
http://i18.servimg.com/u/f18/15/38/23/21/prespo10.jpg

http://www.interactiveinfluence.com/techali/rallyvista/

Let's start to the Finnish one !
http://i18.servimg.com/u/f18/15/38/23/21/presfi10.jpg

http://www.interactiveinfluence.com/techali/rallyvista/

From Eifel Forest to the Saarland countryside including Mosel slopes, Germany welcomes you in its whole diversity.:
http://i18.servimg.com/u/f18/15/38/23/21/presde10.jpg

After Finnishs yumps, let's start kangaroo's jumps:
http://i21.servimg.com/u/f21/15/38/23/21/presau10.jpg

http://www.interactiveinfluence.com/techali/rallyvista/

A lot of sweat but a terrific pleasure to discover the "brand new classical tarmac course" !
http://i21.servimg.com/u/f21/15/38/23/21/prestd10.jpg

http://www.interactiveinfluence.com/techali/rallyvista/

3D animated maps of Rally Catalunya can be viewed with Mozilla Firefox.

http://i21.servimg.com/u/f21/15/38/23/21/presca10.jpg

Thanks very much for all of this work.

I will watch it during Catalunya.

You're welcome Bowler (sorry to be so late) !
How was the experience ?

This week-end a last... Wales.
http://i21.servimg.com/u/f21/15/38/23/21/presgb10.jpg

http://www.interactiveinfluence.com/techali/rallyvista/