Yapsody supports interactive 2D seating charts that allow ticket buyers to view a venue layout and select their preferred seats while purchasing tickets. With the integration of 3D Seating Chart functionality, presenters can now enhance the ticket-buying experience by converting an existing 2D seating chart into an interactive 3D view.

The 3D seating chart allows customers to explore the venue from different angles, zoom in and out, view the seating arrangement in three dimensions, and use the View From Seat functionality to understand the viewing perspective from their selected seats.

Presenters can configure the 3D representation of their venue directly through the existing seating chart configuration workflow in the Event Wizard.

Step-by-Step Guide

Before proceeding with creating the 3D seating chart, make sure you've completed the following prerequisites:

• Configure Seat Category: If you haven't configured the seat category yet, you can learn how to do it by clicking here.
• Create Reserved Seating Sections: If you haven't created reserved seating sections, you can follow the steps by clicking here.
• Add Seats to Reserved Seating Sections: If you haven't created reserved seating sections, you can follow the steps by clicking here.

Once you've successfully completed the above requirements, you can proceed with the instructions in this article to create a 3D seating chart.

Part A: Enabling the 3D View

i) Start the 3D Configuration

1. In the seating chart designer, locate the 3D View option.
2. Click 3D View.

1. Select Get Started to begin configuring the 3D representation.

A set of additional tools will become available to help you configure the 3D seating chart.

These include:

• Spectator Target Tool: Defines the point toward which the seats and View From Seat perspective are oriented.
• Foundation Tool: Helps create the foundations that give the seating sections their height, slope, and three-dimensional appearance. 

Important: The seating chart will not display the intended 3D representation until the required configuration has been completed and saved.

Part B: Configuring the Spectator Target and Foundations

i) Configure the Spectator Target

The spectator target identifies the point that spectators are expected to look toward. It also determines the target used by the View From Seat experience.

To configure it:

1. Select the Spectator Target Tool.
2. Position the target at the appropriate location in the venue, generally around the center of the stage, field, or main viewing area.
3. Review its position to ensure that it represents the actual venue layout accurately.

Example: For a theatre, position the spectator target around the stage area. For a stadium, position it toward the playing field.

Note: A correctly positioned spectator target helps provide an appropriate viewing perspective and reduces obstructions when customers explore the venue in 3D.

ii) Configure the Foundations

Foundations are required to transform the flat 2D seating layout into a 3D representation. They provide the seating sections with height, depth, and slope.

To create foundations:

1. Select the Foundation Tool.

1. Draw a boundary around the relevant seating section or group of sections.
2. Configure a foundation for each section or group of sections, as appropriate for the venue layout.
3. Repeat the process for the remaining seating sections.
4. Configure a foundation for the stage or other relevant venue areas where required by the layout.

iii) Define Lowest Side and Adjust Foundation Properties.

To define the lowest side of the foundation;

1. Select the foundation to view the settings.
2. Click on the 'Edit' option for Lowest Side.

3. Mark the lowest side by clicking and dragging over the sides that are closest to the ground.
4. Click on Confirm.

After creating a foundation, you can adjust its properties to improve the accuracy of the 3D representation.

Depending on the available configuration options, you can adjust:

• Slope: Changes the steepness of the foundation.
• Thickness: Adjusts the foundation's vertical thickness.
• Height and Depth: Helps represent the elevation and depth of the seating structure.
• Foundation Color: Allows you to customize the appearance of the foundation where the option is available.

To adjust these properties:

1. Select the foundation you want to modify.
2. Open its available properties.
3. Adjust the required values according to the actual venue layout.
4. Use the 3D preview to review the changes.
5. Repeat the process for other foundations as required.

Example: For a stadium with elevated seating tiers, adjust the foundations to reflect the height and slope of each tier. This helps create a more realistic representation of the venue.

iv) Enable the 3D Seat-Picking Option

After configuring the 3D seating chart, ensure that the relevant seat-picking setting is enabled.

1. Locate the Allow 3D seat picking checkbox.
2. Enable the checkbox.
3. Click 'Save & Proceed' to save the configuration.

Important: If the 3D view has been configured but the Allow 3D seat picking option is not enabled, customers may not be able to select seats directly from the 3D chart.

Once the event is published you can verify the 3D seating chart set up at your online store.

Current Limitations;

Booths Are Not Supported

Booths cannot currently be selected and added to the cart directly from the 3D seating chart. Customers who want to purchase booths must switch to the 2D chart to select them.

Overlapping Floors and Balconies

Overlapping floors, such as balconies positioned directly above other seating sections, are not currently supported. Multi-storey venues may be converted to 3D when the floors do not overlap.