New image menu
Stitch command
Stitch 360 command
Stitch with the Wizard command
Clone the stitched image (for HDR) command
Crop command
Resize command
Sharpen command
Convert panorama
Enhance command
Array command
Correct barrel distortion command
Correct brightness falloff command
Rotate command
Stitch command
Use this
command to stitch a set of images into a panorama. To learn more about
stitching, see “Classic step 2 – Stitch the images into a panorama” in Chapter
4, “Using the Classic interface, step by step.”
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Stitch 360 command
Use
this command to stitch a set of images into a circular panorama. To learn more
about stitching, see “Classic step 2 – Stitch the images into a panorama” in Chapter
4, “Using the Classic interface, step by step.”
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Stitch with the Wizard command
This
command stitches a set of images using the stitching Wizard. To use this command,
select a sequence of thumbnail images in the upper or lower window pane. Then
select the command to start the stitching Wizard using the selected images. To
learn more about stitching with the Wizard, see Chapter 3, “Using the Stitching
Wizard to make a panorama.”
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Clone the stitched image (for HDR) command
This command uses the selected images to create a new panorama that is stitched identically to the final image in the upper thumbnail list. Its primary purpose is to support workflow for creating high dynamic range (HDR) panoramic images. You use this command to make identically stitched images from multiple sets of source images with different exposure settings.
To use this command, you should start by stitching a panorama normally. It's probably easiest to start with the 0EV images. You do everything you need to do on this panorama including stitch, fine tune, crop, resize, sharpen, etc. You may use the Wizard or the Classic interface for the first panorama. For the remainder of the process, you only use the Classic interface, not the Wizard
When you are satisfied with the first panorama, you import the next set of images, for example, the +2EV set. You select the thumbnails for the second set of images and choose the Clone the stitched image (for HDR) command. The Panorama Factory creates a new stitched image, crops it, resizes it, etc. exactly as the first image, but using the second set of images. Then you repeat this sequence for the third set of images.
The panoramas you create this way are identically stitched and should register perfectly.
We recommend that you disable both Enable exposure matching and Enable exposure correction on Wizard step 4/9 – Control image quality or the Blending properties dialog box when stitching for HDR.
Note that The Panorama Factory provides the capability of creating the three identically stitched images, but does not include commands for the HDR transform and tone mapping. You must perform these steps with a separate software application designed for that purpose. Instruction in creating HDR images is beyond the scope of this User's Guide.
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Crop command
Use this
command to crop the current image. See “Classic step 4 – Crop the stitched
image” in Chapter 4, “Using the Classic interface, step by step” to learn more
about cropping images.
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Resize command
Use this
command to change the size of the current image or a selected group of thumbnail
images. See “Classic step 5 – Resize the cropped image” in Chapter 4, “Using
the Classic interface, step by step” to learn more about resizing images.
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Sharpen command
Use this
command to sharpen the current image. See “Classic step 6 – Sharpen the resized
image” in Chapter 4, “Using the Classic interface, step by step” to learn more
about sharpening images.
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Convert panorama
Use this command to change the panoramic projection of the current image or a selected group of thumbnail images. This command may be applied only to images that already are in a panoramic projection.
When you choose the Convert panorama command, The Panorama Factory runs the modal Convert panorama dialog box.
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Enhance command
Use this command to “enhance” the current image using a 3x3 or a 5x5 FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filter.
When you choose the Enhance command (New image menu), The Panorama Factory displays a preview rectangle and runs the modeless Filter control dialog box. You can fiddle with the filter coefficients and see the response interactively within the preview rectangle.
The Filter control dialog box provides a 3x3 sharpening filter generator. This sharpening filter is determined by the value at the center of the 3x3. Larger numbers increase the sharpening effect.
When you place the cursor over the various parts of the
preview rectangle it changes to show you what editing actions are possible:
|
This cursor |
Means this |
|
|
Indicates that the cursor is over one of the sides or corners of the preview rectangle. Dragging changes the size of the rectangle. |
|
|
Indicates that the cursor is not over any part of the preview rectangle. Dragging draws a new preview rectangle. |
When you are satisfied with the filter parameters, use the Approve command (Image menu) to generate the enhanced image. The enhanced image is added to the end of the computed thumbnails list.
If you want to change the filter parameters later, select the enhanced image and use the Show source command (Image menu) to redisplay the Filter control dialog box.
You can also enhance a group of images by selecting a group of thumbnails before choosing the Enhance command. All the images will be enhanced with the same coefficients.
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Array command
Use this command to assemble multiple images into a single image with control over the spacing between the images.
This command helps to solve a common problem when you wish to print your panorama through a service bureau. Many printing services are not set up to handle the unconventional aspect ratio of panoramic images. Their procedures and pricing schedules are designed for images that have conventional photographic aspect ratios: 8x10, 16x20, etc.
Consider, for example, that you want to digitally record your panorama onto a 4x5 negative and then have the negative printed conventionally onto photographic paper. If you send a panoramic image file as-is, you will waste most of the 4x5 negative and most of the photographic print.
A similar situation exists with many printing services that offer direct inkjet or photographic printing from digital image files. They may charge you the save price for a 5x20 panoramic print as they would for a conventional 16x20 image.
You can use the Array command to combine several copies of the panoramic image into a single image file that has a conventional aspect ratio. Then each print will contain several copies of the image, thus reducing the printing cost per image.
To create an image array, first select one or more image thumbnails and then select the Array command.
When you choose the Array command, The Panorama Factory runs the modal Array of images dialog box.
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Correct barrel distortion command
Use this command to correct barrel distortion of an individual image. This command should be used only to correct single images. You should not use this command to correct images that will be stitched into a panorama. Instead, we recommend that you correct barrel distortion as part of the stitching process.
To correct barrel distortion during the stitching process, you should select “Correct barrel distortion” on Wizard step 3/9 – Describe your camera or on the Camera properties dialog box.
If you are using semi-automatic or manual stitching, barrel distortion is automatically detected from the placement of the stitching points.
When you choose the Correct barrel distortion command (New image menu), The Panorama Factory displays a preview rectangle and runs the modeless Correct barrel distortion dialog box. You can adjust the parameters and see the response interactively within the preview rectangle.
When you are satisfied with the settings, use the Approve command (Image menu) to generate the corrected image. The corrected image is added to the end of the computed thumbnails list.
If you want to change the settings later, select the corrected image and use the Show source command (Image menu) to redisplay the Correct barrel distortion dialog box.
You can also correct a group of images by selecting a group of thumbnails before choosing the Correct barrel distortion command. All the images will be corrected with the same settings.
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Correct brightness falloff command
Use this command to correct brightness falloff (vignetting) of an individual image. This command should be used only to correct single images. You should not use this command to correct images that will be stitched into a panorama. Instead, we recommend that you correct brightness falloff as part of the stitching process.
To correct brightness falloff during the stitching process, you should select “Correct brightness falloff” on Wizard step 3/9 – Describe your camera or on the Camera properties dialog box.
When you choose the Correct brightness falloff command (New image menu), The Panorama Factory displays a preview rectangle and runs the modeless Correct brighness falloff dialog box. You can adjust the parameters and see the response interactively within the preview rectangle.
When you are satisfied with the settings, use the Approve command (Image menu) to generate the corrected image. The corrected image is added to the end of the computed thumbnails list.
If you want to change the settings later, select the corrected image and use the Show source command (Image menu) to redisplay the Correct brighness falloff dialog box.
You can also correct a group of images by selecting a group of thumbnails before choosing the Correct brightness falloff command. All the images will be corrected with the same settings.
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Rotate command
Use this command to rotate images by arbitrary angles.
To rotate an image, first make sure that it is displayed as the current image. If it is not, you should double-click its thumbnail to make it the current image. Then select the Rotate command.
When you choose the Rotate command, The Panorama Factory runs the modal Rotate image dialog box.
You
can use the Rotate
right 90 command, Rotate left 90 command or Rotate 180
command (Edit
menu) as shortcuts for rotating by multiples of 90 degrees.
You can also rotate a group of images by selecting their thumbnails before choosing the Rotate command. All the images will rotate by the same angle.
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