Systems and methods for creating and utilizing high visual aspect ratio virtual environments

An interactive virtual method for manufacturing plant construction, planning, design, touring, and/or management, the method comprising: providing a user with a first interactive, virtual environment comprising facility information and equipment information; proposing a question; and navigating the environment to obtain answers to the proposed questions; wherein said method is a computer-based environment comprising a high visual aspect ratio and wherein said method does not employ computer-aided design. Additionally, a method for creating a high visual aspect ratio virtual tour, comprising: collecting a plurality of first images of areas of low detail and a plurality of second images of areas of high detail; stitching the first images together to create a plurality of first spherical-format images and the second images together to create a plurality of second spherical-format images; combining the first spherical-format images with the second spherical-format images to create a high visual aspect ratio virtu