This page helps creators choose a template or tool. The best tool depends on the project: school slideshow, interactive image, 360 tour, digital collection, 3D scan, or custom browser gallery.
Use the idea generator first if the topic is unclear. Then compare the tools by skill level, format, and purpose.
Planning tool
Virtual museum idea generator
Choose a few settings and get a simple exhibit plan.
| Tool | Type | Best for | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smithsonian Open Access | open collection | Open images and data for research, study, and creative projects. | Open |
| Smithsonian 3D | 3D collection | 3D scanned objects that show what a digital object experience can be. | Open |
| Google Slides | template tool | Good for a simple room-by-room student museum project. | Open |
| Canva | template tool | Useful for visual exhibit cards, posters, and simple layouts. | Open |
| PowerPoint | template tool | Useful when a class already works in Microsoft tools. | Open |
| Artsteps | 3D platform | A direct way to make a simple walkable online gallery. | Open |
| ThingLink | hotspot platform | Good for annotated images, 360 scenes, and guided hotspots. | Open |
| Panoee | 360 platform | Useful when a project starts from panoramic photos. | Open |
| Kuula | 360 platform | Good for small gallery tours and simple sharing. | Open |
| Matterport | 3D scan | Useful when the physical space needs smooth 3D capture. | Open |
| Omeka | open source | Made for digital collections, archives, and public object records. | Open |
| CollectionBuilder | open source | A static digital collection path for metadata-driven projects. | Open |
| Marzipano | open source | A browser panorama viewer for custom 360 tours. | Open |
| Three.js | code library | A flexible path for custom browser-based 3D gallery prototypes. | Open |
Quick Index
| Resource | Place | Type | Main Use | Why it is useful |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Slides | Global | template tool | creation | Good for a simple room-by-room student museum project. |
| Canva | Global | template tool | creation | Useful for visual exhibit cards, posters, and simple layouts. |
| PowerPoint | Global | template tool | creation | Useful when a class already works in Microsoft tools. |
| Artsteps | Global | 3D platform | creation | A direct way to make a simple walkable online gallery. |
| ThingLink | Global | hotspot platform | creation | Good for annotated images, 360 scenes, and guided hotspots. |
| Panoee | Global | 360 platform | creation | Useful when a project starts from panoramic photos. |
| Kuula | Global | 360 platform | creation | Good for small gallery tours and simple sharing. |
| Matterport | Global | 3D scan | creation | Useful when the physical space needs smooth 3D capture. |
| Omeka | Global | open source | collections | Made for digital collections, archives, and public object records. |
| CollectionBuilder | Global | open source | collections | A static digital collection path for metadata-driven projects. |
| Marzipano | Global | open source | 360 | A browser panorama viewer for custom 360 tours. |
| Three.js | Global | code library | 3D | A flexible path for custom browser-based 3D gallery prototypes. |
Tool groups
Templates are fastest. No-code platforms are good for guided exhibits. Open-source tools are better for collections. Professional 3D tools are best when the physical room matters.
Choosing safely
Choose the simplest tool that can show the objects clearly. A complicated platform is not useful if the visitor cannot understand the exhibit.
How to Use This Page
Open the official page from the index, check the access note, and choose one clear goal before starting. For a visit, the goal can be a room, a collection, or one question. For a class, the goal should be a short task. For a creator, the goal should be an example to study, not a page to copy.
Suggested Route
- If the reader wants to visit now, start with the broadest official resource in the index.
- If the reader wants to compare options, open three resources from different types.
- If the reader wants a class activity, choose one resource and prepare a worksheet.
- If the reader wants to make a project, collect examples first and then choose a tool.
Related Guides
FAQ
Which tool is best for students?
Google Slides, Canva, and PowerPoint are the easiest choices.
Which tool is best for collections?
Omeka and CollectionBuilder are strong collection-focused options.
Which tool is best for a 3D tour?
Artsteps, Matterport, Panoee, Kuula, Marzipano, and Three.js can fit different levels of 3D or 360 work.