Create 360° Media for ThingLink

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Getting Started with 360° Content for ThingLink

Campus Locations for Access to Equipment

ThingLink and Virtual Reality

Getting Started with 360° Content for ThingLink

ThingLink allows instructors and students to create interactive learning experiences using images, videos, and immersive 360 content. While a simple smartphone is enough to get started, additional equipment can help create higher-quality and more immersive experiences.

There are two ways to capture 360° images to use with ThingLink.

  1. Using 360° cameras to capture immersive environments that users can explore interactively within ThingLink.
  2. Taking a panorama on your phone and converting it is the easiest and most accessible way to begin creating ThingLink content. Use ThingLink’s converter tool to convert the panorama into a spherical image. Learn more through ThingLink’s help article: Convert Panoramas to 360° Images (opens in a new tab).

Campus Locations for Access to Equipment

The University of Arizona Libraries Tech Lending Program (opens in a new tab) allows students, faculty, and staff to borrow technology equipment for free from the Rhonda G. Tubbs Tech Toolshed in the Main Library. Available equipment includes cameras, 360 cameras, microphones, lighting kits, tripods, projectors, VR headsets, and more, with many items reservable online using a CatCard. Most equipment can be borrowed for 21 days, though some items have different loan periods, and users are responsible for returning items on time and in good condition.

The UCATT Digital Makerspaces (opens in a new tab) provide U of A students, faculty, and staff access to multimedia equipment. To borrow equipment, users can schedule equipment pick-up appointments, reserve spaces, or request tours through the UCATT pages for the Honors College, Lundgren Consumer Science Lab, or School of Journalism makerspaces. Equipment must be picked up and returned to the designated makerspace location, and users should review the associated equipment checkout terms and conditions before borrowing.

ThingLink and Virtual Reality

All ThingLink content can be viewed in Virtual Reality mode. ThingLink offers a standalone application for major VR headsets and for mobile devices with similar capabilities.