Tour Tracker Live 3D Tracking and Animated 3D Route Previews

Not one to leave well enough alone, I've been busy learning about 3D rendering after watching the Tour each day to finally realize two things I've always wanted to add to my Tour Tracker Pro Cycling mobile app. And while I was at it, I've added them to the free Tour Tracker Live desktop I announced last week!

First, a Tour de France quality stage preview video - you know, the one with the dramatic music and glowing yellow line racing across the country side. But instead of a pre-recorded video, a fully interactive experience so you can control the speed and the perspective of the preview. There are 5 preset camera angles ranging from high in the sky so you can see the entire route down to as if you were in the peloton - definitely have to slow down for that one or you might get sick. Or, grab the map and create whatever view is best for you. You can also use the profile to scrub through the route as you wish.

Second, applying that experience to live 3D race tracking. I've been using it over the past few stages, and it literally provides a new perspective on the race in real time. Same camera options described above are available during live tracking, so you can pull back to see the action from helicopter 3km away or zoom in to get a drone view behind the leaders.

But once I had that view of the race I didn't want to close it. So, I added some key elements of our live coverage on top as optional transparent overlays inspired by the data that the Tour overlays on top of live race video. That includes basic race statistics (e.g. grade of the road), a listing of the rider groups on the road and our live commentary feed. Profile is still there for reference as well.

Here is a shot of Pogi's devastating attack the other day.

On Tour Tracker Live you can find the new 3D maps in three places. On the LIVE page there is a new glowing yellow button in the bottom right corner of the existing map. That button will present the live tracking version. On the STAGES page the same yellow button is available. That one will present the route preview versions. And there is an entirely new "3D-ROUTES" tab that provides easy access to all the previews.

On Tour Tracker Pro Cycling for iOS and Android, you can see the 3D route preview from the Home or Stages tab. You can see the live 3D tracking on the new 3D tab at the top of the live page. Note that it does not work in Time Machine right now but will soon...

Eager to get feedback! Allan