a technique for providing a subtle indication of imagery type can be implemented in a software application , such as a mapping application , that displays interactive imagery in a three - dimensional scene and allows users to tap , click , or otherwise select points within the displayed images to pull up corresponding detailed photographs . a pulled - up photograph may be laid out on a surface having a curvature , in which case the viewport slides along the photograph in a three - dimensional space as the photograph is inspected , or on a surface having no curvature , in which case the viewport pans along the photograph in a two - dimensional space . however , at the time when a user selects a point within the interactive image , the user does not know whether the photograph associated with this point is laid out on a curved surface or a flat surface . to provide a subtle indication of whether the photograph is laid out on a curved surface or a flat surface , the user interface temporarily repositions the viewport along the surface of the photograph .