To explore
Set the speed of time to 1 second. (This is real time where 1 second in real time = 1 second in the VSR.)
Set the date and time and hit ‘apply’. You can then walk around and explore using the arrow keys on your keyboard. (To run hold ‘Shift’ and use the arrow keys. You can jump using the Space Bar on your keyboard.
Click on a building (you need to be close to it) to open a webpage that tells you a bit about that building and provides links to more information for that building. (I strongly recommend following any links you see labelled NSW Heritage & Conservation Register.)
The buildings on the Big Dig site are in high resolution and you can go inside and upstairs. (The doors open automatically when you get near them)
There is no furniture yet.
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The surrounding buildings are very simple and cannot be entered.
The sandy coloured buildings are modelled on the real buildings.
The grey buildings indicate that there was a building at that location at the time specified but I do not know what it looked like.
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Time-lapse
To view a time-lapse you need to set the speed of time so a value greater than 1 second.
For example: -
Set the date and time to 1 March 1788 and the speed of time to 3 years and hit ‘apply’.
Every second of real time will see 3 years elapse in the Virtual Sydney Rocks.
It is best to view a time-lapse from the overhead camera.
Weather
Currently the weather is controlled by the day number.
Blue sky on days 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30
Blue sky with Scattered clouds on days 1, 6, 11, 16, 21, 26, 31
Cloudy sky on days 2, 7, 12, 17, 22, 27
Overcast on days 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28
Thunderstorms and rain on days 4, 9, 14, 19, 24, 29
Future versions will display the correct weather for the day based on historical records.
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