Autopano Giga 2.5 User Manual

Table of Contents1 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Installation and registration.............................................................................................................................................................................................1

1.1 INSTALLATION...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................11.2 REGISTRATION..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................1

2 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Supported file format in input..........................................................................................................................................................................................2

3 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Main Window......................................................................................................................................................................................................................3

4 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Main Window - Toolbar.....................................................................................................................................................................................................44.1 Browse folder..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4

5 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Main Window - Groups Window.......................................................................................................................................................................................65.1 GROUP INTERFACE......................................................................................................................................................................................................................65.2 ALL GROUPS..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................8

6 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Main Window - Group Settings......................................................................................................................................................................................106.1 DETECTION TAB..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................106.2 OPTIMIZATION TAB.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................116.3 PANORAMA TAB..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................126.4 RENDER TAB................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12

7 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Main Window - Image Properties...................................................................................................................................................................................157.1 IMAGE TAB...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................157.2 CIRCULAR CROP TAB.................................................................................................................................................................................................................15

8 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Main Window - Plugin wizard.........................................................................................................................................................................................178.1 NEUTRALHAZER..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................178.2 LENS CORRECTION....................................................................................................................................................................................................................178.3 EXTERNAL STACK PROCESSING..............................................................................................................................................................................................18

9 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Main Window - Panoramas Window..............................................................................................................................................................................199.1 PANORAMA INTERFACE.............................................................................................................................................................................................................199.2 ALL PANORAMAS.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

10 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Preferences....................................................................................................................................................................................................................22

11 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Preferences... - General................................................................................................................................................................................................23

12 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Preferences... - Images.................................................................................................................................................................................................24

13 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Preferences... - Detection.............................................................................................................................................................................................25

14 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Preferences... - Optimization........................................................................................................................................................................................27

15 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Preferences... - Panorama............................................................................................................................................................................................29

16 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Preferences... - Render.................................................................................................................................................................................................30

17 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Import.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................32

18 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Import... - Clauss...........................................................................................................................................................................................................3318.1 GENERAL TAB............................................................................................................................................................................................................................3318.2 OPTIONS TAB.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................33

19 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Import... - Panotools......................................................................................................................................................................................................34

20 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Import... - Gigapan.........................................................................................................................................................................................................3520.1 GENERAL....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3520.2 SHOOT LAYOUT.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................3520.3 SHOOT SETUP...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................3620.4 STACK.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3620.5 DETECTION OPTIONS...............................................................................................................................................................................................................36

21 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Import... - Papywizard...................................................................................................................................................................................................3821.1 GENERAL....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3821.2 SHOOT SETUP...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................3821.3 STACK.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3921.4 DETECTION OPTIONS...............................................................................................................................................................................................................3921.5 HEADER DETAILS......................................................................................................................................................................................................................39

22 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Panorama Editor............................................................................................................................................................................................................4122.1 PANORAMA EDITOR INTERFACE............................................................................................................................................................................................4122.2 Toolbar.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4122.3 INFORMATION WINDOW...........................................................................................................................................................................................................42

23 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Panorama Editor - Geometry Correction.....................................................................................................................................................................4423.1 PROJECTION..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................4423.2 ROTATION..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4423.3 POINT OF VIEW, HORIZON AND VERTICAL LINES.................................................................................................................................................................4523.4 FRAMING....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................47

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Table of Contents24 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Panorama Editor - Color Correction............................................................................................................................................................................48

24.1 CORRECTION MODES...............................................................................................................................................................................................................4824.2 CORRECTION ANCHORS..........................................................................................................................................................................................................4824.3 LEVELS.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4924.4 EXPOSURE FUSION..................................................................................................................................................................................................................50

25 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Panorama Editor - Selecting and moving images......................................................................................................................................................5125.1 SELECTING IMAGES..................................................................................................................................................................................................................5125.2 MOVING IMAGES.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................51

26 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Panorama Editor - Control Points Editor....................................................................................................................................................................5326.1 PRINCIPLE..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................5326.2 PRESENTATION OF THE INTERFACE.....................................................................................................................................................................................5326.3 PANORAMA EDITOR WINDOW.................................................................................................................................................................................................5326.4 CONTROL POINTS EDITOR WINDOW......................................................................................................................................................................................55

27 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Panorama Editor - Layers Editor..................................................................................................................................................................................6027.1 PRINCIPLE..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................6027.2 INTEREST...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................6027.3 INTERFACE.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................60

28 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Render............................................................................................................................................................................................................................6228.1 OUTPUT SIZE.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................6228.2 INTERPOLATOR.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................6228.3 BLENDING SETTINGS................................................................................................................................................................................................................6228.4 FORMAT......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................6328.5 EXPORTED DATA.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................6428.6 OUTPUT......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................65

29 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Batch Rendering............................................................................................................................................................................................................6629.1 PRINCIPLE..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................6629.2 INTERFACE.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................66

30 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Glossary.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................6930.1 KRO Format.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................6930.2 RANSAC......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................69

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1 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Installation and registration

1.1 INSTALLATION

1. If you have already downloaded the software corresponding to your operating system, go directly to step 3.

2. Go to the link below to download the version corresponding to your operating system: Download Autopano Giga

3. Installation:

Installation on WindowsOpen the downloaded file (file .exe) and launch the installation.♦

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Installation on MacThe downloaded file (file .dmg) will automatically open on a virtual disk on your desktop. 2 icons are shown: The software icon and the Applicationsshortcut icon.

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Drag the software icon into the Applications shortcut.♦

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Installation on LinuxOpen the downloaded file (file .deb or .tar.gz) and launch the installation.♦

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At this point, the installed version is the trial version of the software. This version is not limited in time and all its features are available. However, the createdpanoramas will contain a watermark.

1.2 REGISTRATION

You can only register your license if you have already purchased the software. If you want to buy a Kolor software go to our online store.

After the purchase of a Kolor software, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with your invoice in PDF format.This invoice contains your license (username and registration key). These 2 elements are needed to register your software and to unlock the complete version:

1. Launch your software.

2. A welcome window containing information relating to the trial version appears.

3. Click on Register and a new window opens.

4. Enter your username and registration key in the required fields. You will find this information on your invoice or client account.

5. Click on OK, a message will warn you that your registration was successful.

Technical Support / Autopano Giga 2.5 Documentation

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2 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Supported file format in input

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3 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Main WindowThe Autopano interface is divided into 3 areas:

The Toolbar groups the essential features of Autopano.• The Groups window manages the images imported into Autopano before generating one or more panoramas.• The Panoramas window groups the created or imported panoramas and lets you edit or render them.•


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4 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Main Window - Toolbar

4.1 Browse folder

This icon allows you to browse a folder and extract all the images before sorting them in groups.

4.1.1 Principle

During a shooting, the camera attributes the EXIF data to each picture.This data contains information such as the focal length, aperture, the date and time of shooting, the brand and model of the camera, etc.

Generally, there is a time span of a few seconds between the pictures and composition of a panorama.A picture isolated in time does not belong to a panorama.

Autopano will therefore combine images based on the date and time of shooting in using the moments when there are no pictures as a delimiter between two groups.

4.1.1.1 Operation

When you start analyzing a folder, Autopano gathers all the images in it, recognizes the images belonging to the same panorama and groups them.

4.1.1.2 Interface

Button "..."

Lets you select the file that you want to analyze.

Recurse into subfolders

If this box is clicked, Autopano will analyze all of the folders contained in the selected folderbeforehand.Images contained in different folders are placed in different groups.

Auto detection

Automatically starts the detection of panoramas and displays the previews for all groups created.

Average number of images

This value influences the number of pictures present in a group.This is by no means a limit and you can always create new groups, add and move images between thegroups from the group window.

Maximum time lapse

The pictures are examined in the order of shots; for a picture to be placed in the same group as theprevious picture, the time interval between shots needs to be less than this maximum time lapse.

Don't mix landscape and portrait

If you click this box, the groups cannot contain images in portrait and landscape mode at the sametime.

Group by focal

If you click this box, the groups will only contain images with the same focal length.

4.1.1.3 Creation of groups

The groups are created based on 2 values: Average number of images and Maximum time lapse

Autopano considers that all the selected file images form one group. The images are classified by shooting date (the EXIF shooting date) in ascending order.• The algorithm then searches for the largest time gap between 2 consecutive images.

If this gap is already lower than the 'Maximum time lapse, the algorithm stops because it means that all images were each taken with a gap lowerthan the Maximum time lapse.

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If this gap exceeds our Maximum time lapse limit, it divides this group into 2.♦

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The algorithm continues to divide the groups until the image number limit reaches the Average number of images.•

Examples of use:

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Average number of images = 1 and Maximum time lapse = 10The groups that do not have images will be separated by a maximum of 10 seconds. Groups with one picture can exist.♦

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Average number of images = 1000 and Maximum time lapse = 10Groups may have approximately 1000 pictures each but the time gap between the images is not guaranteed to be 10 seconds for each group.♦

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4.1.2 Select images

This icon allows you to import images into Autopano by directly clicking them.The selected images will be placed in the same group.

4.1.3 Import from...

Click on this button to open the Import Wizard.This module is also accessible via the menu (File/Import...)

4.1.4 Batch Renderer

This icon opens the Batch Rendering menu.

4.1.5 Contextual help

Click on this icon to activate this tool. Then click on the icon of your choice to view information about its use.


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5 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Main Window - Groups Window

The group window is the workspace for grouping and sorting images.A panorama detection can then be launched on each group independently.The detected panoramas will display in the Panorama window.The bottom of the group window contains features that are relative to all common groups.

5.1 GROUP INTERFACE

The group interface allows to show all group content, shooting information and to adjust the panorama detection settings.

5.1.1 Toolbar

The toolbar gives access to the parameters for the group only.

5.1.1.1 Detect / Stop detection

This launches the panorama detection for the current group.Press again to stop the detection.

5.1.1.2 Group settings

Contains many settings for the panorama detection and the processing of group images.For more information, consult the page dedicated to Group settings.

5.1.1.3 Image properties

This contains various information and settings of the image?s EXIF data and their interpretation by Autopano.For more information, consult the page dedicated to Image properties.

5.1.1.4 Add images

Opening a file browser allows you to click pictures you want to add to the current group.

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5.1.1.5 Plugin Wizard

You can apply plug-ins to your images so that they can be processed before moving to the creation of panoramas.For more information, consult the page dedicated to Plugin Wizard.

5.1.1.6 Close

Closes the current group.

5.1.2 Image display area

Each group's image is represented by a thumbnail (default display mode).Right click on this area to open the contextual menu.The options available in the contextual menu apply to selected items or all elements if an element is not selected.All selected elements are highlighted. You can select multiple items at once by drawing a selection rectangle by holding down the Shift key or using the ctrl (Windows) / cmd(Mac) key.

5.1.2.1 Contextual menu (right click)

Open containing folder...•

Opens a file browser window where your images are found.

View image ...•

Displays the selected image in Autopano's viewer.You can open as many viewers as you want.

View•

The display icon is the default display mode; each image is representedby a thumbnail with its name.

The Details display presents the images as a list and it also showsadditional information.

Reload pictures•

This refreshes the images stored in temporary folders.This is useful if you change an image after adding it to a group and avoids the creation of a new group.The new version of this image will replace the old.

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Add images ...•

By opening a file browser you can select pictures to be added in the current group.

Copy/Paste images•

Copies the selected image or glues the images in the current group.

Remove images•

Deletes the selected images.

Copy images to a new group•

Creates a new group that contains a copy of the selected images.

Move images to a new group•

Creates a new group and moves the selected images. They will no longer be available in their original group.

Group selection into stack•

Groups the selected images. They appear as a single thumbnail with a small symbol .This function is useful when shooting with manual bracketing. It groups the different bracket levels belonging to the same shoot.

Create stack by N•

Groups the group images by their specific name.If you bracket shoot with three different levels of exposure, type 3 to automatically group all identical views.

Unstack•

This is opposite from ?Stack?, it breaks up the pile so that each image is displayed independently.

5.1.3 Shooting information

This frame displays information about the shooting corresponding to a group.

Number of images in the group.

Focal length of lens used.

Shutter speed used.

Aperture used.

Shooting date.

Time interval needed for the shooting.

5.2 ALL GROUPS

The toolbar in the lower part of the group window contains the functions relative to all common groups.

5.2.1 Detect / Stop everything

The detection on all of the common groups will be launched when this button is pushed.If the button is pressed again during the detection, the detection will stop.

5.2.1.1 New group

This button creates an empty group in which you can add pictures.

5.2.1.2 Close all groups

This button closes all running groups.

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5.2.1.3 Thumbnail size

Use this slider to adjust the sizes of the thumbnails found in the groups.


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6 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Main Window - Group Settings

The settings changed in the Group settings are only valid for the current group.

These settings are not saved for other groups; each group can be configured independently.

6.1 DETECTION TAB

These options affect the way in which the pictures will be linked to each other. The detection step corresponds to when Autopano analyzes the images and assigns links tothem with the use of significant points called control points.If you make a mistake, you can use the "Restore defaults" button.

Detection quality

Low: Good compromise between the quality of the control points and the detectionspeed.

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Standard: (default) Increases the density of the points at the expense of the detectionspeed.

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High: Useful if one, several or all images are ignored. Very slow, reserved for desperatecases.

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Number of points / Image pair

Affects the number of control points exported to Panotools as well as on the detectionquality. 50 (default value) seems to be the best choice in the majority of cases.

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Ransac model: Lets you to select the detection algorithm.Similariy:♦ Homography:♦

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Links

Layout:Free: (default) Autopano calculates all the possibility of links between theimages. This does not exclude the false links that could be created if yourimages contain many similarities (images linked by their similarities but inreality are not close to each other).

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Single row or column: This can be used if the images were takenconsecutively and on a single row. This method avoids the false linkscaused by the similarities of images.

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Templates: Here you will find the templates that were previously saved withthe Save as model feature.

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Force every images to be in one panorama: All the group images will appear in thepanorama. This option is useful when one or more pictures are ignored in certainpanoramas. This will not improve the quality of detection but will force the image(s) tobe reflected in the resulting panorama even if these images have no connection withthe images of the panorama.

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Detect links in:One stack level: (default) Looks for all the possibilities of links between theimages with the same bracket level.

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All stack levels: Looks for all possibilities of links between the images.♦

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For a stack:Use hard links: Lets you precisely superimpose the different images of thesame stack without assigning control points to them.

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Detect control points: This uses the control points as a reference tosuperimpose the different images in the same stack.

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Project

Folder: The ... button lets you select the directory of your choice.• Filename: Name of project file (.pano). Click on the icon for a description of thesymbols that make up the models (syntax) of the file name.

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Use relative path for image location in project: This is useful if you want to transfer thecompleted project to a third support (USB key, hard disk, CD, etc.) so that it can beopened on another machine.

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Automate

Auto crop: automatically frames the panorama.• Auto color correction: (default) Automatically standardizes the panorama?s colorimetry.• Auto color histogram: Automatically applies a color level.• Auto render: Automatically launches the rendering.• Auto save: Automatically saves the project (.pano).• Auto close: This automatically closes the project window. We recommend that youcheck ?automatic save? when using this option.

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6.2 OPTIMIZATION TAB

During the optimization step, the images are positioned based on their control points that are calculated during the detection.Autopano offers 4 optimization presets adapted to your needs without having to change them yourself.Autopano works perfectly with default settings and the hazardous changes of these options may damage the operation of Autopano.If you make a mistake, you can use the "Restore defaults" button.

Optimization presetsThese presets correspond to the pre-configurations of different optimization stages that can beviewed in ?advanced settings?.

Quick: Simple optimization. The result may be disappointing if the panorama contains alot of images or bad links.

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Strong: (default) This is the best choice in the majority of assemblies. It has a goodcalculation time/assembly quality compromise.

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Gigapixel: Suitable if your panorama contains a large number of images (more than 100images).

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Fisheye: Select this profile if your image was taken with a fisheye lens.• Custom: This is enabled when you manually change the parameters and they no longercorrespond to a profile.

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Advanced settings

Options:Use grid position: This is only available if you have imported pictures takenwith the help of a pan head via a Clauss or Papywizard import plug-in. Thisoption re-uses the coordinates provided to pre-position the images.

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Assume row/column shooting: Active for panoramas coming from aGigapan head. This method requires high precision in the shooting matrix.

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Optimization stages:•

1) Local approach: Lets you pre-position the images locally.

Strong algorithm: Intelligently validates the local approach calculations. Thischanges in the assembly if the calculations seem wrong (false links).

2) First optimization: Looks for the ideal position of each image simultaneously.

3) Clean up control points or links:

Keep only control points below this error (RMS): Useful in cases wherequality counts.Keep only the N best control points: Useful in cases where only the numberof control points per image count.Remove links below this error (RMS): Useful in cases where the quality ofthe links counts.

4) Final optimization: This is the same main optimizer as in step 2 that is retrieved (if ithas not already been) or retrieved again (to account for deletions of step 3).

5) Lens distortion correction: Corrects lens distortions (this is very useful on short andmedium focal lengths).

6) Multiple viewpoints: Tolerates variations in the nodal point and detects changes inviewpoint to provide a satisfactory result, whatever the shooting conditions.

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6.3 PANORAMA TAB

These properties are applied to the panorama just after the assembly.If you make a mistake, you can use the "Reset default values" button.

Panorama layout:

Preferred projection: Lets you select the default type of projection.Automatic: Automatically chooses the most suitable projection based on thepanorama?s FOV.

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Spherical: Forces the spherical projection.♦ Cylinder: Forces the cylindrical projection.♦ Planar: Forces the rectilinear projection.♦ Mercator: Forces the Mercator projection.♦

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Preferred extend: Lets you select the default size of the panorama.Clamp to panorama content: The panorama will have a size thatcorresponds to the span of the area where the pixels are actually found.

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Maximum projection range: The panorama will have a size that correspondsto the projection range. For example, this option is useful to generate360°x180° as well as partial panoramas that do not cover the whole span.

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Color correction:

Lets you choose the default type of color correction when the auto color correctionoption is activated.

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Color correction by layer: This limits the color correction to each group of images withinthe panorama.

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What should be corrected:Gamma: Only corrects the gamma.♦ Exposure: (default) only corrects the exposure.♦ Gamma and exposure: Corrects the gamma and exposure.♦ Gamma and color tone: Corrects the gamma and tones.♦ Exposure and color tone: Corrects the exposure and tones.♦ Gamma, exposure and color tone: Corrects the gamma, exposure andtones.

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Panorama layers:

This lets you chose how to group the images in the layer editor of the panorama editor. You canrearrange them later if needed.

6.4 RENDER TAB

The ?Render? tab is in all respects identical to the one found in the general settings or in the editing window. It is a default parameter for the rendering options that will also bevisible and modifiable at the time of the final rendering.If you make a mistake, you can use the "Restore defaults" button.

SizeThis lets you adjust the panorama?s export size in percentage of the maximum size.

InterpolatorThe interpolator is used to project the pixels of the source image on the panorama. Its quality oftendepends on the sharpness of the panorama.

Nearest Neighbour: Reserved for testing, because of the numerous and very visibleartifacts created. In return, this is the fastest.

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Bilinear: This is a correct quality/speed ratio choice.• Bicubic: (default) Use it if you do not know. The difference with the bilinear is almostimperceptible to the naked eye but can be seen in the lines with strong contrasts. Itsdefault use is recommended.

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Bicubic sharper: This is the same thing as the bicubic but it is stronger (the fortificationlevel corresponds to the same settings as in Photoshop when changing the size of animage).

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Bicubic smoother: This is the same thing as the bicubic but it is softer (the softeninglevel corresponds to the same settings as in Photoshop when changing the size of animage).

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Spline36: This powerful method of interpolation is to be used when extreme or highpost-rendering is necessary. The difference with the bicubic mode is not noticeable tothe naked eye.

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Spline64: Works in the same way as the Spline36, but stronger, slower and usuallybetter (expirment to sample resutls).

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Blending settingsThe purpose of the blender is to combine the overlapping zones without it being noticeable, toobtain a perfect stiching of the panorama's images.Autopano offers 4 optimization presets adapted to your needs without having to change themyourself.These profiles correspond to the pre-configurations that can be seen in the ?advanced settings?. .

Simple: This is fast but it is possible that defects are seen where the areas overlap.• Anti-ghost: Conserve the image's strong characteristics (stops, lines, curves) whenmixing while automatically removing objects that have moved.

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Exposure Fusion: To be used if the panorama was created with a bracket shot. Keepsthe best of different exposures.

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HDR output: To be used by users who wish to create a .hdr format file in order to createpost-production or special effects.

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Custom: This is enabled when you manually change the parameters and they no longercorrespond to a preset.

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Advanced settings

Blending:None: For each position, the algorithm uses the pixel with the greatestimportance according to the required weight.

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Linear: The rendered pixels are the result of a weighted average of inputpixels.

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Multi-band: Lets you mix the average value (color trend) of the images whilemaintaining their details.

Multi-band level: Lets you adjust the influence zone for eachinput pixel. Each pixel will double its influence zone for eachsupplemental level. For example, at level 2, each pixel acts on aspan of 2 pixels in the final rendering, 4 pixels at level 3, 8 pixelsat level 4... Level 0 represents the maximal influence zone(depending on the size of the input images). The negative levelslet you reduce this area based on the maximum area. -4, thedefault value, seems to be the best choice in the majority ofcases, if the color correction is enabled.

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Diamond weighting: The pixels in the centre of the images are more important than thepixels on the edges of the images.

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Remove ghosts: Avoid mixing the superimposed pixels that do not have the sameinformation (moving object). This algorithm is applied to each layer independently.

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Exposure fusion: Weights each pixel according to its exposure. Lets you mix differentsuperimposed images excluding under-exposed or over-exposed areas.

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Remove HDR ghosts: Avoid mixing the superimposed pixels that do not have the sameinformation and that come from different levels (moving object on the same bracketedimage). At least 3 different data (layers) is needed to determine the data to exclude. It isadvisable to get more for a greater reliability of matches (warning, a layer that is entirelyover-exposed or under-exposed can not be used).

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FormatLets you choose the output format, encoding, compression quality and resolution.

Exported dataLets you define how and what data needs to be exported:

Data:Panorama: Lets you export the panorama.♦ Layers: Lets you export the image groups.♦ Images: Lets you export the images used to create the panorama.♦

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Options:Embed all outputs: Incorporates all the data in the same file.♦ Remove Alpha channel: Deletes the alpha channel of the exported files.♦

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Output

Folder: Lets you specify the file in which the image will be saved.• Filename: Default syntax of the file name. Click on the icon for a description of thesymbols that make up the models (syntax) of the file name.

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Render done soundLets you specify a sound that signals the end of the rendering.

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7 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Main Window - Image PropertiesThis window verifies all image parameters. This information comes from the EXIF data recorded by your digital camera in each image.

7.1 IMAGE TAB

Focal lengthDefines the focal length used during the shooting

Camera sensor scallingDefined by your camera brand and model by a database in thesoftware.Lets you verify that the software has recognized the camera and tocorrect this parameter if it is wrong.

Conversion factorIf you use an optical accessory, its value must be defined in the?optical accessory? field. Generally, the digital camera does notrecognize the information coming from the optical accessory and doesnot add it to the EXIF information incorporated in the images.

Focal (35mm eq.)Indicates the focal length equivalent to a 35 mm lens.

Lens typeLets you verify what type of lens was used: Standard or Fisheye. Youcan change this parameter if the software has not correctly recognizedthe type of lens.

7.2 CIRCULAR CROP TAB

Since the group of images contains one or more fisheye type pictures, a second ?circular crop? tab appears. This tab lets you adjust the Fisheye parameters and delineatethe visual area to be kept.

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Circular cropThis space lets you delimit the fisheye area to keep. Use the selection circle (drag, enlarge, reduce).To expand or reduce from the centre, hold the Ctrl key while dragging the mouse (left click).


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8 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Main Window - Plugin wizardThe module wizard lets you select plug-ins used to process the images entering the software.

8.1 NEUTRALHAZER

The Neutralhazer is used to reduce the foggy effect (atmospheric veil) in the image.

PowerThe slider adjusts the processing level effect. The effect can also be adjusted by manually typing ina value.

Split previewCheck the box to show or hide the result. The preview in the window lets you see the difference ofthe processing level.

Pull-down listLets you select an image to be displayed in the preview. Useful if the first image displayed is notsuitable for the visualization of the processing.

Apply to all imagesLets you apply the corrections to all the images of the panorama.

Clicking on Finish will crate new files that are copies of the source files (renamed) into a new groupthem in the folder containing the source images.

8.2 LENS CORRECTION

The lens correction corrects optical and geometrical distortions connected to the lens. The 3 possible corrections are:

Distortion correction• Chromatic aberration correction• Vignetting effect correction•

To correct these distortions, you need to know the camera/lens properties.These properties are contained in the profile files (.lcp format) in the Adobe® database.The list of camera/lenses can be consulted when installing the Adobe® Lens Profile Downloader tool.

? If your camera/lens appears in the Adobe® database:•

You can directly download the .lcp profile from the Adobe® Lens Profile Downloader tool.

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? If your camera/lens does not appear in the Adobe® database:•

You can create it with the Adobe® Lens Profile Creator tool.This tool calculates the characteristic parameters of the lens starting with a set of pictures from a calibration grid, and creates a .lcp file containing the parameters.The procedure for acquiring images on a calibration grid is available at the following address:http://download.macromedia.com/pub/labs/lensprofile_creator/lensprofile_creator_chartshooting_qs.pdfAfter creating a profile, you can upload the .lcp file into the Adobe® database.

The lens correction applied here corresponds to the Adobe® Photoshop ?Lens correction? filterthat uses the Adobe® database.

Lens profileLoads the lens calibration profile file (.lcp).

Geometric distortion, chromatic aberration and vignettingCheck the box (es) corresponding to the correction to implement.

Split previewCocher la case pour afficher ou cacher le résultat. L'aperçu dans la fenêtre permet de visualiserl'effet des corrections par différence.

Pull-down listCheck the box to show or hide the result. The preview in the window lets you see the difference ofthe correction effects.

Apply to all imagesLets you apply the corrections to all images of the panorama.

Clicking on Finish will create new files that are copies of the source files (renamed) into a newgroup then in the folder containing the source images.

8.3 EXTERNAL STACK PROCESSING

Lets you rely on an external software to process the image stacks.

Executable

Arguments

Output file


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9 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Main Window - Panoramas Window

The panorama window groups all detected panoramas starting from the group of images.It includes a preview of the panorama and related technical specifications.It is also possible to edit or render the panorama.The bottom of the panorama window contains functions that are relative to all common panoramas.

9.1 PANORAMA INTERFACE

The panorama interface shows the panorama and assembly information, and allows you to access the panorama editor.

9.1.1 Toolbar

The toolbar provides access to the functions that apply to the current panorama.

9.1.1.1 Panorama editor

Open the panorama editor in order to work on the current panorama.This lets you make corrections on the shape, color or lets you crop your panorama, etc.For more information, consult the page dedicated to the panorama editor.

9.1.1.2 Rendering the panorama

This button opens the Rendering launcher window in order to export your panorama.From here, choose the output parameters of your panorama.For more information, consult the Render page.

9.1.1.3 Save the project

The panorama project files have a ?.pano? extension. Access to the following choices is given by clicking on the small arrow to the right of the icon:

Save•

Save the project to the same location as the last backup.If this is the first time it is saved, Autopano executes ?Save as??.

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Save as...•

Open a file browser so that you can indicate where to save the project.

Save as extended...•

This is the same as ?Save as...". Autopano also creates a file with the same name as the project and places all the images needed to create the project in this file.This is useful if you want to transfer the completed project to a third support (USB key, hard disk, CD, etc.) so that it can be opened on another machine.

Save as template...•

Autopano saves the links used to create the panorama within a template. This can then be used to create new panoramas with the same configurations.To re-use a model, you need to specify it in the Group settings (Detection tab) before launching the panorama?s detection.

Export to Panotools...•

Open a file browser so that you can indicate where to save the project.This button lets you to export your project in a format that can be read by the Panotools.

9.1.2 Preview

Shows a preview of the panorama in its current state.All changes applied to the panorama will be immediately shown in the preview.

9.1.3 Panorama information

This frame shows you the panorama?s technical information.

Number of images making up the panorama.

Panorama size expressed in pixels (width x height).

Panorama's field of view expressed in degrees (horizontal x vertical).

Average RMS quality factors of each of the panorama?s links.

Lens type used.

Projection mode used.

Type of color correction used.

9.2 ALL PANORAMAS

The toolbar in the panorama window groups the functions applied to all current panoramas.

9.2.1 Rendering all panoramas

Opens a Render window for each of the current panoramas.

9.2.1.1 Save all panoramas

This proposes the same options as the ?save the project? button but it is consecutively applied to all opened panoramas.

9.2.1.2 Close all panoramas

This button closes all current panoramas.

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10 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Preferences...

Changes to the general settings are applied by default to all newly created image groups.

The general settings window is found under the Editor/Preferences/ menu in Windows and Linux systems. For Mac users, go to the Autopano/Preferences/? menu.

This window is divided into 6 tabs:

The General tab contains the settings related to the use of the system resources by Autopano.•

The Images tab contains options that affect the properties of the imported images.•

The 4 following tabs, detection, optimization, panorama and rendering launcher are equally accessible in the Group Settings menu of the group window.The changes to the group parameters are only applied to the current group.

The Detection tab groups the settings relative to the detection of the panoramas. During this step, Autopano calculates the links between the images and placesthe control points.

•

The Optimization tab contains the parameters connected to the optimization step. This step corresponds to the arrangement of images relative to each otherbased on control points found during the detection.

•

The Panorama tab lets you chose the type of projection and the colorimetry.•

The Render tab lets you change the default rendering parameters.•


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11 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Preferences... - GeneralTemporary foldersDetermines the folder in which Autopano saves the temporary files.You can add as many temporary files as you want.

Memory usedThe amount of RAM allocated will be partial for a 32-byte system or total for a 64-byte system(based on the amount of free RAM detected).The slider lets you adjust the amount of RAM used (based on the amount allocated) so that therendering calculations can be accelerated.

The information fields let you know:

How many images on one line Autopano can assemble without using the memory disk.Beyond that, Autopano will have to use the memory disk and the calculations will belonger.

•

The amount of RAM detected and the fee amount of RAM detected.•

LanguageLets you force another language into the software to replace the system?s language.

Number of CPUDefines the computers used (default).These parameters can be changed.

GPU processingLets you work in the panorama editor in real-time.


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12 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Preferences... - ImagesThese options affect the image?s EXIF data. The EXIF data of the original images will not be modified by these options.

Exif

Use the following value if no Exif data is found: The value of the focal length and thelens model should be applied only on the images without Exif.

•

Always force the following Exif value: The value of the focal length and the lens modelshould be applied to all the images without any exceptions (images with or withoutExif).

•

Stack

Don't create stack: Forces Autopano to not group the images in stacks.•

Use bracketing to create stack: (default) The bracketed images (issued from a shootingin auto bracket) are displayed in the group like a single image; the thumbnail isrepresented with a small BKT icon.

•

Always create stacks with N images: Forces Autopano to group the images in N imagestacks.

•


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13 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Preferences... - Detection

Changes to the Preferences in the detection settings will be applied by default to the entire new image group created.

These options affect the way in which the pictures will be connected to each other. The detection step corresponds to when Autopano analyzes the images and assigns linksto them with the use of significant points called control points.If you make a mistake, you can use the "Reset default values" button.

Detection quality

Low: Good compromise between the quality of the control points and the detectionspeed.

•

Standard: (default) Increases the density of the points at the expense of the detectionspeed.

•

High: Useful if one, several or all images are ignored. Very slow, reserved for desperatecases.

•

Number of points/ Image pair

Affects the number of control points exported to Panotools as well as on the detectionquality. 50 (default value) seems to be the best choice in the majority of cases.

•

Ransac model: Lets you to select the detection algorithm.Similariy:♦ Homography:♦

•

Links

Layout:Free: (default) Autopano calculates all the possibility of links between theimages. This does not exclude the false links that could be created if yourimages contain many similarities (images linked by their similarities but inreality are not close to each other).

♦

Single row or column: This can be used if the images were takenconsecutively and on a single row. This method avoids the false linkscaused by the similarities of images.

♦

Templates: Here you will find the templates that were previously saved withthe Save as model feature.

♦

•

Force every images to be in one panorama: All the group images will appear in thepanorama. This option is useful when one or more pictures are ignored in certainpanoramas. This will not improve the quality of detection but will force the image(s) tobe reflected in the resulting panorama even if these images have no connection withthe images of the panorama.

•

Detect links in:One stack level: (default) Looks for all the possibilities of links between theimages with the same bracket level.

♦

All stack levels: Looks for all possibilities of links between the images.♦

•

For a stack:Use hard links: Lets you precisely superimpose the different images of thesame stack without assigning control points to them.

♦

Detect control points: This uses the control points as a reference tosuperimpose the different images in the same stack.

♦

•

Project

Folder: The ... button lets you select the directory of your choice.• Filename: Name of project file (.pano). Click on the icon for a description of thesymbols that make up the models (syntax) of the file name.

•

Use relative path for image location in project: This is useful if you want to transfer thecompleted project to a third support (USB key, hard disk, CD, etc.) so that it can beopened on another machine.

•

Automate

Auto crop: automatically frames the panorama.• Auto color correction: (default) Automatically standardizes the panorama?s colorimetry.•

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Auto color histogram: Automatically applies a color level.• Auto render: Automatically launches the rendering.• Auto save: Automatically saves the project (.pano).• Auto close: This automatically closes the project window. We recommend that youcheck ?automatic save? when using this option.

•


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14 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Preferences... - Optimization

Changes to the Preference settings in the optimization will be applied by default to the entire new image group created.

During the optimization step, the images are positioned based on their control points that are calculated during the detection.Autopano offers 4 optimization profiles adapted to your needs without having to change them yourself.Autopano works perfectly with default settings and the hazardous changes of these options may damage the operation of Autopano.If you make a mistake, you can use the "Reset default values" button.

Optimization presetsThese presets correspond to the pre-configurations of different optimization stages that can beviewed in ?advanced settings?.


•

Strong: (default) This is the best choice in the majority of assemblies. It has a goodcalculation time/assembly quality compromise.

•


•


•

Advanced settings


♦

Assume row/column shooting: Active for panoramas coming from aGigapan head. This method requires high precision in the shooting matrix.

♦

•









6) Multiple viewpoints: Tolerates variations in the nodal point and detects changes inviewpoint to provide a satisfactory result, whatever the shooting conditions.

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15 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Preferences... - Panorama

Changes to the Preference settings in the panorama will be applied by default to the entire new image group created.

These properties are applied to the panorama just after the assembly phase.If you make a mistake, you can use the "Reset default values" button.

Panorama layout

Preferred projection: Lets you select the default type of projection.Automatic: Automatically chooses the most suitable projection based on thepanorama?s FOV.

♦

Spherical: Forces the spherical projection.♦ Cylinder: Forces the cylindrical projection.♦ Planar: Forces the rectilinear projection.♦ Mercator: Forces the Mercator projection.♦

•

Preferred extend: Lets you select the default size of the panorama.Clamp to panorama content: The panorama will have a size thatcorresponds to the span of the area where the pixels are actually found.

♦

Maximum projection range: The panorama will have a size that correspondsto the projection range. For example, this option is useful to generate360°x180° as well as partial panoramas that do not cover the whole span.

♦

•

Color correction

Lets you choose the default type of color correction when the auto color correctionoption is activated.

•

Color correction by layer: This limits the color correction to each group of images withinthe panorama.

•

What should be corrected:Gamma: Only corrects the gamma.♦ Exposure: (default) only corrects the exposure.♦ Gamma and exposure: Corrects the gamma and exposure.♦ Gamma and color tone: Corrects the gamma and tones.♦ Exposure and color tone: Corrects the exposure and tones.♦ Gamma, exposure and color tone: Corrects the gamma, exposure andtones.

♦

•

Panorama layers

This lets you chose how to group the images in the layer editor of the panorama editor. You canrearrange them later if needed.


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16 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Preferences... - Render

Changes to the Preference settings in the renderer will be applied by default to the entire new image group created.

The Render tab is in all respects identical to the one found in the general settings or in the editing window. It is a default parameter for the rendering options that will also bevisible and modifiable at the time of the final rendering.If you make a mistake, you can use the "Restore defaults" button.

SizeThis lets you adjust the panorama?s export size in percentage of the maximum size.

InterpolatorThe interpolator is used to project the pixels of the source image on the panorama. Its quality oftendepends on the sharpness of the panorama.

Nearest Neighbour: Reserved for testing, because of the numerous and very visibleartifacts created. In return, this is the fastest.

•

Bilinear: This is a correct quality/speed ratio choice.• Bicubic: (default) Use it if you do not know. The difference with the bilinear is almostimperceptible to the naked eye but can be seen in the lines with strong contrasts. Itsdefault use is recommended.

•

Bicubic sharper: This is the same thing as the bicubic but it is stronger (the fortificationlevel corresponds to the same settings as in Photoshop when changing the size of animage).

•

Bicubic smoother: This is the same thing as the bicubic but it is softer (the softeninglevel corresponds to the same settings as in Photoshop when changing the size of animage).

•

Spline36: This powerful method of interpolation is to be used when extreme or highpost-rendering is necessary. The difference with the bicubic mode is not noticeable tothe naked eye.

•

Spline64: Works in the same way as the Spline36, but stronger, slower and usuallybetter (expirment to sample resutls).

•

Blending settingsThe purpose of the blender is to combine the overlapping zones without it being noticeable, toobtain a perfect stiching of the panorama's images.Autopano offers 4 optimization presets adapted to your needs without having to change themyourself.These profiles correspond to the pre-configurations that can be seen in the ?advanced settings?. .

Simple: This is fast but it is possible that defects are seen where the areas overlap.• Anti-ghost: Conserve the image's strong characteristics (stops, lines, curves) whenmixing while automatically removing objects that have moved.

•

Exposure Fusion: To be used if the panorama was created with a bracket shot. Keepsthe best of different exposures.

•

HDR output: To be used by users who wish to create a .hdr format file in order to createpost-production or special effects.

•

Custom: This is enabled when you manually change the parameters and they no longercorrespond to a preset.

•

Advanced settings

Blending:None: For each position, the algorithm uses the pixel with the greatestimportance according to the required weight.

♦

Linear: The rendered pixels are the result of a weighted average of inputpixels.

♦

Multi-band: Lets you mix the average value (color trend) of the images whilemaintaining their details.

Multi-band level: Lets you adjust the influence zone for eachinput pixel. Each pixel will double its influence zone for eachsupplemental level. For example, at level 2, each pixel acts on aspan of 2 pixels in the final rendering, 4 pixels at level 3, 8 pixelsat level 4... Level 0 represents the maximal influence zone(depending on the size of the input images). The negative levelslet you reduce this area based on the maximum area. -4, thedefault value, seems to be the best choice in the majority ofcases, if the color correction is enabled.

◊

♦

•

Diamond weighting: The pixels in the centre of the images are more important than thepixels on the edges of the images.

•

Remove ghosts: Avoid mixing the superimposed pixels that do not have the sameinformation (moving object). This algorithm is applied to each layer independently.

•

Exposure fusion: Weights each pixel according to its exposure. Lets you mix differentsuperimposed images excluding under-exposed or over-exposed areas.

•

Remove HDR ghosts: Avoid mixing the superimposed pixels that do not have the same•

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information and that come from different levels (moving object on the same bracketedimage). At least 3 different data (layers) is needed to determine the data to exclude. It isadvisable to get more for a greater reliability of matches (warning, a layer that is entirelyover-exposed or under-exposed can not be used).

FormatLets you choose the output format, encoding, compression quality and resolution.

Exported dataLets you define how and what data needs to be exported:

Data:Panorama: Lets you export the panorama.♦ Layers: Lets you export the image groups.♦ Images: Lets you export the images used to create the panorama.♦

•

Options:Embed all outputs: Incorporates all the data in the same file.♦ Remove Alpha channel: Deletes the alpha channel of the exported files.♦

•

Output

Folder: Lets you specify the file in which the image will be saved.• Filename: Default syntax of the file name. Click on the icon for a description of thesymbols that make up the models (syntax) of the file name.

•

Render done soundLets you specify a sound that signals the end of the rendering.


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17 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Import...This option lets you import projects from different origins such as images of a shooting that was taken from a motorized head or projects from the panotools.This module is also accessible by clicking on the button of the interface toolbar.

4 import modules are offered:

Clauss• Gigapan• Papywizard• Panotools•


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18 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Import... - Clauss

18.1 GENERAL TAB

Image:Autopanogiga 250 clauss generaltab en.pngScript file•

Lets you select the description file (.txt) generated during the shooting.

Images•

Lets you to select the images to assemble.

Y coordinates inversor•

Simulates a different mount of the camera on the Merlin head. In other words, it inverts the phiangle.

Preview•

Lets you visualize the shooting.

Zoom•

The slider lets you change the image preview zoom.

18.2 OPTIONS TAB

Image:Autopanogiga 250 clauss optionstab en.pngAutomatic detection•

Launches the automatic detection after having clicked on the End button.

Ignore optimization•

Uses the Papywizard coordinates to place the images.Very useful to detect and correct the bad links with the control point editor in order to re-optimizeeverything.

Delete bad links•

Useful if the images contain many similarities.


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19 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Import... - PanotoolsThe panotools import plug-in imports assembly projects from other software (PTgui, PTAssembler, Hugin...) into Autopano.

FilenamesAdd: lets you choose one or more PTGui (.pts), PTAssembler (.ptp) andHugin (.pto) type projects.

♦

Delete: a project from the list.♦

•

KeypointsMerge Panotools control points with computed control points: The assemblywill use the control points coming from the panotools instead of the controlpoints calculated by Autopano.

♦

Use the Panotools control points: The assembly will only use the panotoolscontrol points.

♦

Compute Autopano control points: The assembly will only use the Autopanocontrol points.

♦

•

Click on Finish to create the group(s)


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20 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Import... - Gigapan

The Gigapan import module lets you import a shot created with a Gigapan motorized panoramic head.However, this module does not require the definition of an xml file (shooting settings). It can therefore be used with any type of shooting line and columns.

This module is divided into 5 tabs:

20.1 GENERAL

Images•

Lets you to select the images to assemble.

Rows : Number of rows in the panorama.• Columns : Number of columns in the panorama.•

These 2 fields are connected: If the number of rows is modified, the number of columnsis adjusted and vice versa.The preview is modified according to these fields, it can quickly see if the order of theimages is good.

Ignore N files•

Lets you skip the first N images selected. Avoids selecting images again to find the firstimage.

Nb images per location (bracketing)•

Indicates the number of brackets per images. This function modifies the preview.

Preview and zoom•

Lets you visualize the shooting.The slider lets you change the image preview zoom.

20.2 SHOOT LAYOUT

Organization

Lets you choose the scheme corresponding to the shot taken:

Column (default)• Rows (downward)• Rows (upward)•

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20.3 SHOOT SETUP

360° PanoramaCheck this box if your shot is 360 degrees.

OverlappingSets the percentage of overlap between the images.This forces the overlaying of images to the desired value in order to avoid false links (due to thesimilarities of images for example).

20.4 STACK

This lets you set the import if the shooting is bracketed.

For stack

Use hard links: Superimposes the different images of the same stack without assigningcontrol points.

•

Detect control points: Uses the control points as reference for superimposing differentimages of the same stack.

•

Detect the links in

One stack level: (default) Looks for all the possibility of links between images with thesame bracket level.

•

All stack levels: Looks for all possibile links between the images.•

20.5 DETECTION OPTIONS

Auto detectionChecked by default, this option lets you automatically launch the detection after having confirmedthe module?s settings.Uncheck this box if you want to change the groups (or other) settings before launching thedetection.

Clean wrong linkLets you erase the bad links caused by similarities in the images.

Skip optimizationDoes not take into account the calculation of the control points. Optimization will be required in thecontrol point editor.

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21 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Import... - Papywizard

The Papywizard module lets you import a shooting from a motorized panoramic head.This module requires the definition of a Papywizard xml file (Shooting settings).

This module is divided into 5 tabs:

21.1 GENERAL

XML•

Lets you select the shooting session file (.xml).

Information:

Number of Images: Defines the number of images shot.◊ Yaw: Defines the horizontal offset used.◊ Pitch: Defines the vertical offset used.◊ Bracketing: Defines the number of brackets of the shooting.◊

Images•

Lets you select the images to assemble (corresponding to the shooting session file).

Information:

Number of images: Defines the number of selected images. The number ofimages should be the same as the number of images defined in the sessionfile information.

◊

Preview and zoom•

Lets you see the shooting.The sliding bar lets you change the image preview zoom level.

21.2 SHOOT SETUP

Inverse Y coordinatesInverts the coordinates of the shot if it is not in the right direction (camera is on the left arm of themotorized panoramic head).

90° degrees left or right rotationApplies a 90° left and right rotation to the images.

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21.3 STACK

Lets you set the import if the shooting was bracketed.

For a stack

Use the hard links: Superimposes the different images of the same stack withoutassigning control points.

•

Detect control points: Uses the control points as reference for superimposing differentimages of the same stack.

•

Detect the links in

One stack level: (default) Looks for all the possibility of links between images with thesame bracket level.

•

All stack levels: Looks for all the possibility of links between the images.•

21.4 DETECTION OPTIONS

Auto detectionChecked by default, this option lets you automatically launch the detection after having confirmedthe module?s settings.Uncheck this box if you want to change the groups (or other) settings before launching thedetection.

Clean wrong linksLets you erase the bad links caused by similarities in the images.

Skip optimizationSave images based on the session file coordinates. Does not take into account the calculation ofthe control points. Optimization will be required in the control point editor.

Use recorded locationUncheck this option if the shot is taken at the Zenith (Shooting with images in both portrait andlandscape mode).

21.5 HEADER DETAILS

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Lets you see the information on the current session file.


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22 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Panorama Editor

22.1 PANORAMA EDITOR INTERFACE

The panorama editor is presented on a separate interface with 4 main areas:

Toolbar: Groups the editing tools.• Panorama editing area: Lets you use the editing tools, to move and to zoom in the panorama.• Information window: Lets you see the assembly information, the history and the parameters of the currently used tool.• Layers editor: Used to classify images according to several criteria, as well as add and delete images.•

22.2 Toolbar

A : Save projectB : Undo/RedoC : Geometry CorrectionD : Selecting and moving imagesE : Control points editorF : Color CorrectionG : RenderH : Editor settingsI : Help

22.2.1 Save the project

The panorama project files have a ?.pano? extension. Access to the following choices is given by clicking on the small arrow to the right of the icon:

Save•

Saves the project to the same location as the last backup.If this is the first time it is saved, Autopano executes ?Save as?.?.

Save as...•

Open a file browser so that you can indicate where to save the project.

Save as extended...•

This is the same as ?Save as...". Autopano also creates a file with the same name as the project and places all the images needed to create the project in this file.This is useful if you want to transfer the completed project to a third support (USB key, hard disk, CD, etc.) so that it can be opened on another machine.

Save as model...•

Autopano saves the links used to create the panorama within a model. This can then be used to create new panoramas with the same configurations.

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To re-use a model, you need to specify it in Group settings (Detection tab) before launching the panorama's detection.

Export to Panotools...•

Open a file browser so that you can indicate where to save the project.This button lets you export your project in a format that can be read by the Panotools.

22.2.1.1 Undo/Redo

Lets you to undo or reset the editing actions.

22.2.1.2 Editor settings

These settings have an effect on the quality of the preview and operation of the editor. The settings that affect the quality of the final rendering are adjusted in the Renderinglauncher window. .

Preview quality (CPU only)

This frame is only active if Autopano is launched in CPU mode (default).If the GPU mode is active (Menu/Preferences/...), this part is grayed out (inactive).

Size: Size in pixels of the panorama?s preview (this is recalculated each time a parameter isadjusted). The default preview is 1200 x 600; we recommend that you keep the default values.

•

Interpolation: Determines how the viewing pixel value is calculated starting from the source imagepixels.

•

Mix: Determines how the merging of the pictures is done in the overlapping areas. 3 modes of mixingare available for the preview:

None: There is no merging and ?the picture on top? is seen.♦ Linear: Quick mode that has good quality.♦ Multi-band: Slower and has the best quality.♦

•

Grid

These options let you define the types and spacing of lines that make up the grid in the panorama?s editing area.

Toolbar

These settings define the size of the toolbar icons. You can also choose to add a description text to the icons orreplace the icons with text.

History

Lets you set the number of saved actions and the memory allocated to them.

22.2.2 Contextual help

Click on this icon to activate this tool. Click on the icon of your choice to view information about its use.

22.3 INFORMATION WINDOW

22.3.1 Info tab

General informationGroups information such as:

The number of images• The number of links and control points• The stitching quality (average estimate).•

Selecting a tool in the toolbar brings up the parameters of the tool instead of the Info tab if it is active.

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22.3.2 History tab

The "History" dialogue box views all of the steps carried out since the opening of the panorama or its creation.A click on a step contained in the history lets you bring it back up so that you can continue editing at the desired location.Clicking on "Create a screenshot" also lets you freeze the state of your panorama at a given moment.PTo reset this state, click on the desired screenshot.

The history is deleted when you exit the editor. If you open the same panorama again, only the last version will be visible andusable.

22.3.3 Field of view

The field of view of the assembled panorama can be seen in the bottom right of the editor.Theta corresponds to a horizontal angular field and Phi corresponds to a vertical angular field.The positive and negative values correspond to the angles from a central point of view, as symbolized by the grid's gray lines.


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23 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Panorama Editor - Geometry Correction

The following tools are used to correct the geometry:

23.1 PROJECTION

23.1.1 Planar or rectilinear projection

Advantages:Good choice if the angle is low, recommended for architectural shots because it is the only mode that does not curve lines that are deemed to be straight lines.

Disadvantages:Can be used only if the view angle is less than 180 degrees along the diagonal of the image, practice shows that beyond 90 degrees the stretching of the image isalready visible along the edges and in the corners.Beyond 120 degrees, the result is no longer acceptable, because the stretching of the image causes an unpleasant loss of sharpness.

23.1.1.1 Cylindrical projection

Advantages:Can be used up to 360° (horizontally).

Disadvantages:The lines parallel to the horizon (curbs, tops of buildings) are still more or less curved.The vertical angle is limited, it is imperative that it is less than 160 ° but the stretching begins to slightly deform at the top and bottom of the image when it exceeds45 degrees above or below the skyline.

23.1.1.2 Mercator projection

Advantages :Can be used up to 360° (horizontally). The effect of stretching up and down the image is attenuated compared to the spherical projection.

Disadvantages:The lines parallel to the horizon (curbs, tops of buildings) are still more or less curved.The vertical angle is limited, it is imperative that it is less than 160 ° since the stretching begins to slightly deform at the top and bottom of the image when itexceeds 55 degrees above or below the skyline.

23.1.1.3 Spherical or equirectangular projection

Advantages:Authorizes the assembly of all panoramas.

Disadvantages:For the direct display (without a viewer) of a panorama on the screen and for feel we need to ensure that the curvature of parallel straight lines on the horizon isstill acceptable (there is no rule, you need to be the judge).When the vertical viewing angle is large, the stretching effect at the top of the image (near the zenith) and at the bottom of the image (near the nadir) varies fromunusual to very unusual.

23.2 ROTATION

23.2.1 90° rotation to the left or right

These buttons let you switch a panorama when the corresponding group pictures do not have a good landscape/portrait orientation.Note that even if the panorama seems too aligned, rotating it 90 degrees can cause a misalignment in the pictures. Therefore, we strongly advise you to click on the AutoLevel tool after rotation

23.2.1.1 Modify Yaw Pitch Roll

This tool lets you make changes to the panorama with the 90° right rotation, 90° left rotation, positioning of the viewpoint, Automatic Level and vertical lines tools.The angle of rotation must be expressed in degrees; the successive changes are added to each other (a rotation of -10° is cancelled when it follows a 10° rotation).

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Yaw

Horizontal shift (towards the right for a positive value).

Pitch

Vertical shift (towards the bottom for a positive value).

Roll

Rotation around a central point (clockwise for a positive value).The panorama?s central point is indicated by the intersection of the two grey lines of the grid, one ishorizontal and the other is vertical.

ApplyClick on this button to confirm the modifications or push the enter button. The preview of the panorama then adjustsaccording to the constraints you have to define.You can undo changes after validation using the history.

CancelClick this button to ignore the changes and return to the previous state.

23.3 POINT OF VIEW, HORIZON AND VERTICAL LINES

23.3.1 Vanishing point

The vanishing point tool will change the panorama?s point of view; this implies a visual change of the vanishing points due to a type of projection selected previously.Before displaying the preview, Autopano has already made an estimate on the center of the skyline.This said, it is better to be aware that Autopano totally ignores what has been photography and that you are in a better position to choose.

This tool centers the panorama where you click, which has a dual effect:

Drages the point of view's centre (the vertical grey line will be the reference point).• Drags the point of view's horizon (the horizontal grey line will be the reference point).•

With the rectilinear projection, the vanishing points are affected by the dragging of the point of view?s center. The point of view?s horizon line should, in principle, be at thesame height as the camera during shooting, except for when taking low angle shots (vanishing point towards the top) or a view from above (vanishing point towards thebottom).

By checking the "Center Point tool stays activated after use" box, you can try several points of view withouthaving to reactivate the tool.

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Use the history to undo the changes.•

23.3.1.1 Automatic horizon

Often, Autopano automatically creates a panorama where everything is level and thus the "before" and "after" difference is not seen!The tools described above were used to incline or vertically centre the panorama and on the contrary, the Automatic level effect becomes visible.

Moreover, Autopano does not always straighten the panorama:

If the camera?s rotation axis was not vertical when passing from one picture to the other (shooting without a tripod or the tripod axis or the pan head was notaligned).

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If all the pictures were taken from the same side (this should not happen with a panoramic head, in the case of a tripod this is different than the previous setting).•

In these two cases, the Vertical lines tool needs to be used to put everything into place.

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23.3.1.2 Vertical lines

This tool lets you straighten a panorama by tracing vertical lines in the panorama?s editing area:

Trace the lines (symbolized by blue strokes) from top to bottom, where vertical lines are found in the photographed item (the edges of buildings, doors and windows,corners in the walls, furniture).The yellow dotted line (which is displayed at the same time as the blue line) is used as a reference mark to straighten the horizons. This is very useful if your panorama doesnot have vertical lines (landscapes, nature, etc.).Only the blue lines appear with the rectilinear projection. With the other 3 types of projection, the doted yellow line appears each time a blue line is traced.

To change the orientation or length of a line: click on it and use the red boxes found at the ends of the lines. To delete a line: click on it and press the delete key.

Two or three lines are enough, especially if they are spaced from each other. It is possible to place more if they are reliable. Autopano will find the best compromise based onyour instructions and the links between the pictures.

Tracing one single line can make a panorama rotate quickly: the traced line will become a perfect vertical. If the blue line is horizontally traced, the panorama will make aquarter turn and if the line is traced from the bottom to the top it will make a half turn.

Using the Horizontal line will straighten a tilted skyline.This works the same way as the Vertical line tool: just trace a stroke on the line that should be horizontal. This tool is onlyavailable when using the rectilinear projection mode.

ApplyClick on this button to confirm the modifications or push the enter button. The preview of the panorama then adjustsaccording to the constraints you have to define. You can undo changes after validation using the historical.


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23.4 FRAMING

23.4.1 Crop

This tool lets you choose the frame of the panorama. Its original position automatically corresponds to the maximum rectangular area of the current panorama.The default framing is automatic; no part of the selection is left blank.

To resize the frame, use the small squares around the frame. When pressing the Ctrl key, the resizing is done starting from the center of the frame. To move the frame, placethe mouse cursor inside the frame. The cursor turns into a hand. To rotate the frame, place the mouse cursor outside of the frame. The cursor turns into a rotation arrow.

Crop zone : Lets you precisely change the framing:

Theta: corresponds to the width of the frame.• Phi: corresponds to the height of the frame.• Rotation: lets you rotate an angle of the frame.• Full sphere: lets you frame the panorama in case there is complete spherical part of the panorama.•

Ratio: Lets you define a framing ratio (useful to define a framing for printing or to have an identical ratio for a series ofpanoramic images).

Style:Normal: (default) Defines a free frame (without height and width constraints).♦ Ratio: Forces the frame according to the height and width values.

Width: Defines the ratio width.◊ Height: Defines the ratio height.◊ Swap: Lets you invert the height and width values.◊

♦

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ApplyClick on this button to confirm the modifications or push the enter button. The preview of the panorama then adjustsaccording to the constraints you have to define. You can undo changes after validation using the history.


23.4.1.1 Autofit

This tool produces an effect that is the opposite of that obtained with the Crop tool: the panorama is framed with a rectangle that is as large as necessary so that nothingremains outside the frame.


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24 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Panorama Editor - Color Correction

The following tools are used to correct the colorimetry:

24.1 CORRECTION MODES

24.1.1 No Correction

In this mode, the mechanism to equalize the brightness or color of pictures against each other is not used. In fact, in certain cases, the color correction is not needed. Forexample, when the picture is shot in manual mode. Warning, surprises could arise with the manual mode (automatic ISO, light conditions could change due to passing of acloud, etc.).

24.1.2 LDR Correction (standard correction)

This mode is active by default. The purpose of this adjustment is to align the small differences in brightness, contrast and color in the series of pictures that make up thepanorama.For the most part, this is the correction that you will use.

24.1.3 HDR Correction

This mode is used when a subject requires a large margin of exposure. The algorithm is different from the LDR mode and allows for the harmonization of panoramas whenthe differences in brightness are much larger. This method of correction directly calculates the luminance for each pixel; Autopano no longer works with the pixel values, butworks with the real values of the scene. In practice, you will not see the difference on a scene with low dynamics but everything changes when the exposure differences arevery large.

When passing to the HDR mode, the produced image often has a very large dynamic and we need to reduce this dynamic to have something that is displayable. The levelsare available in the HDR mode and they let you make certain global changes on the panorama in order to reduce this dynamic.

24.2 CORRECTION ANCHORS

The correction anchors are used for seamless image stitching (colour, exposure, contrast, etc.).An anchor represents how the corresponding image will be changed by the color correction algorithm.

24.2.1 Type of anchors

Reference image: It is the reference for the correction of other images. The anchors of the other images will therefore be influenced by the contrast, exposureand tone of this anchor.

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Adjust gamma: Only corrects only the gamma.•

Adjust exposure: Only corrects the exposure.•

Adjust gamma and exposure: Corrects the gamma and the exposure.•

Adjust gamma and color tone: Corrects the gamma and the color tone.•

Adjust exposure and color tone: Corrects the exposure and the color tone.•

Adjust gamma, exposure and color tone: Corrects the gamma, exposure and color tone.•

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To change an anchor, right click on the image to open a contextual menu so that the desired anchor can be selected from the list.An optimization is launched after each change and the result is automatically displayed after.

24.2.2 Contextual menu

A right click on the image opens the contextual menu:

The right part lets you change a single anchor (the anchor for the selected image).• The bottom part lets you change all of the anchors at the same time (a right click on an anchor opens only this part of the contextual menu).•

24.2.3 Settings

Optimize by layersIf your panorama has layers (brackets, etc.), the changes will be applied to all the layers of the panorama.

Color level after updateThe Level histograms will be adjusted according to changes.

Optimize on any anchor changeBy default, this option is enabled to view the results after each change.

Optimize colorIf the "Optimize on any anchor change" option is unchecked, clicking on this button will let you confirm the changes so thatthe result can be seen.

24.3 LEVELS

24.3.1 Levels

This window lets us adjust and change the entries and exits in terms of light intensity.

Input level

Pull-down list: Lets you select the image layer on to which the histogram is to bedisplayed.

RGB: Displays the complete histogram (of all the layers).♦ Red: Displays the histogram for the Red layer.♦ Green: Displays the histogram for the Green layer.♦ Blue: Displays the histogram for the Blue layer♦

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Histogram:Lets you view the current curves and amplitude, displayed as Min. /Max.♦ The sliders let you adjust the dark tones (black) and the light tones (white).♦

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GammaThe slider adjusts the contrast ratio of the selected channel.

Buttons

OK: Enables the changes.•

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Cancel: Undoes the changes.• Reset: Resets the previous state of the histogram.• Auto: Automatic correction.• Settings...: Opens the Level Options window for automatic correction.• Eyedroppers:

Black point: Lets you define the black point value directly on your image.♦ White point: Lets you define the white point value directly on your image.♦

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PreviewCheck or uncheck the box to show/hide the preview of the Level tool changes on the panorama.

24.3.2 Level Options

The window lets you set the applicable automatic correction mode via the Auto button.

Algorithms

Enhance monochromatic contrast: Applies the Min and Max values of the RGB layer to maintain thebalance of the tones in the separated layers.

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Enhance per channel contrast: Applies the Min and Max values for each layer separately, it couldcause an imbalance of the colors and tones may disappear.

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Clipping

Black: Sets a tolerance threshold (in %) from the Min. value on the RGB layer or on separate layersaccording to the selected algorithm.

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White: Sets a tolerance threshold (in %) from the Min. value on the RGB layer or on separate layersaccording to the selected algorithm.

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24.4 EXPOSURE FUSION

Closely related to the use of a bracketed shooting, with this tool you can obtain a perfectly exposed panorama when mixing different exposures (also called HDR).

There is no real rule about the use and configuration of the Exposure fusion tool (based on images, the desired result, etc.), this part of the documentation only describes thetechnical aspects of this tool.For more information, see the page dedicated to its use: Use the exposure fusion

EnableCheck this option to enable the fusion. This will display the fusion.This curve represents the exposure of the fusion or the importance of each pixel in the final mixtureaccording to its exposure. By default it is set at an average exposure target.

Exposure targetIt lets you set the principal exposure value.Slide the bar until you reach the most important desired value (to the left for dark exposure, to the right forbright exposure).

Dark enhancementLets you give more or less importance to dark exposure areas.

Light enhancementLets you give more or less importance to bright exposure areas.

PreviewCheck this box to preview changes to the panorama.


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25 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Panorama Editor - Selecting and moving images

The following tools are used to select and move images:

25.1 SELECTING IMAGES

25.1.1 Layers mode

This tool lets you see how the source images are arranged in the panorama.

By moving the mouse over the panorama, the picture corresponding to the location of the cursor appears.• If the cursor is on a connection zone, a rotation of the mouse wheel will scroll each of the pictures found at this location.• If the cursor is outside of the image or connection area the full panorama is seen.•

Click on the button again to exit this mode.

25.2 MOVING IMAGES

This section describes how to move the images within the panorama so that they can be correctly positioned. It also describes how to move the full panorama in its projection

space with the help of the tool.

This tool is used in several ways:

Click on the icon and move the image or the panorama in the editing area.• Enter the position values in the Position frame• When using the keyboard arrows, simply click the images with the mouse and use the arrows to slightly move the images.•

Move

Pano: Lets you interact with the panorama in its entirety (only if the GPU mode is enabled)

Pano pan: Lets you move the panorama in its projection space. This tool is very useful whenselecting the center of a 360 ° panorama.

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Pano rotate: Lets you rotate a panorama in its projection space.♦

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Image: Lets you intervene on each image independently.

Picture pan: Lets you move the active selection.♦

Picture rotate: Lets you rotate the active selection.♦

Picture zoom: Lets you enlarge or narrow the active selection.♦

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Location

Yaw: Horizontal shift (towards the right for a positive value).• Pitch: Vertical shift (towards the bottom for a positive value).• Rolls: Rotation around a central point (clockwise for a positive value).• FOV: Changes the angular fields (positive value reduction).•

Wizard

Guess position: Lets you find the position of orphan images (without links).•

ApplyClick on this button to confirm the modifications or push the enter button. The preview of the panorama then adjusts according tothe constraints you have to define. You can undo changes after validation using the history.


The Layer editor Lets you change the position of the images. To do this, after having enabled the Drag tool, click the image in question and double click on the desired fieldto change its value and click on Enter to confirm.

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26 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Panorama Editor - Control Points Editor

The following tools are used for editing control points:

26.1 PRINCIPLE

The control point editor lets you manually correct the links and control points in order to obtain an optimum placement of your images. Indeed, sometimes the automatic modepoorly positions or excludes images. This can be easily corrected with the control point editor.

26.2 PRESENTATION OF THE INTERFACE

The active control point editor interface uses 2 windows:

The Panorama Editor window• The Control points Editor window•

26.3 PANORAMA EDITOR WINDOW

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26.3.1 Panorama editing area

26.3.1.1 Meshing of the editing area

The mesh appears above the preview of the panorama and lets you view the links between images and their quality. It also lets you select the images and links. A color codelets you quickly see the state of the links:

(RMS lower than 5): Good quality link.

(RMS between 5 and 10): Average quality link.

(RMS more than 10): Bad quality link.

(the RMS value is not very important): Modified and unoptimized link.

26.3.1.2 Selecting images

When you select an image, the editor displays them as superimposed and the red lines show you all the related images.

26.3.1.3 Selecting links

When you select a link, it is highlighted in red. You can select more than one link, the display of the mesh will change based on the selection.

26.3.2 Stitching information

The assembly information window groups all the general information such as the number of images, the number of links and the control points plus the quality of the assembly(in the form of an average estimate).The assembly quality information can be displayed in 5 different ways, according to Autopano?s calculations of the source images:

When the assembly quality is good, onlythe RMS is displayed.

If the assembly is less good or bad, it ispossible that a list of the worst links isdisplayed, letting you quickly correct them.

Another possibility is to obtainsub-panoramas. This means that certainimages that are normally linked are nolonger linked. The list of sub-panoramaslets you quickly create the missing links sothat they can be corrected.

If one ore more images is not linked, a listof orphan images (without links) will bedisplayed.

When you change/delete links or controlpoints, the message displayed warns youthat optimization is needed.

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26.3.3 Tools

The slider is used to hide links to visualize and identify the worst links.•

Clear displayed links: This button is used in combination with thecursor.

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Full optimization: Lets you optimize the whole panorama.•

Quick optimization: Lets you only optimize the latest changes.•

Optimization settings: Provides access to the control point editorsettings.

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26.4 CONTROL POINTS EDITOR WINDOW

26.4.1 Control points editing area

The control points editing area is divided into 2 windows where 2 images selected from the list can be viewed and the different tools could be used to edit the control points.

26.4.2 Selection list

The selection list is divided into 3 closely related parts:

All of the images selected in the image list will display a list of links or control points that the images have in common with other images (according to the selectedtab).

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The links tab displays the list of common links when you select one or more images.• The Ctrl Point tab displays the list of common control points when you select one or more images.•

List of images

Lets you quickly see if an image is properlyconnected to another.A redundant image can be deleted with theuse of the delete key.Selecting all of the images will display all thelinks between all of the images.

List of links

Lets you see the links and their RMS quality.The links can be deleted with the use of thedelete key.

List of control points

Lets you see the control points and theirRMS quality. The points can be deleted withthe use of the delete key.

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26.4.3 Toolbar

26.4.3.1 Enable/Disable Views

This tool lets you decide whether to display or not to display the images in the control point editing area.

26.4.3.2 Window layout

Lets you change the display of the control point editing area.

26.4.3.3 Synchronize Views

Lets you synchronize the display of images in the control point editing area. This is useful to simultaneously view the images when the zoom level is high.

26.4.3.4 Optimize the panorama

Lets you confirm the changes to the control points/links done in the editor. The preview of the panorama then adjusts according to the constraints you have to define.The optimization can be adjusted in the control point editor settings.

26.4.3.5 Adding control points to the selected areas

After having selected 2 overlaying images (the 2 images have similar details), draw a rectangular with the help of the mouse on the 2 images in the control point editing area.The control points will be automatically calculated and displayed.

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You can also delete control points by selecting an area and pressing the delete key.

26.4.3.6 Add manual control point

The adding of a single control point lets you precisely define the control point (and not an area like the pervious tool).For this reason, you have to define the same point on 2 images with the help of the mouse and the zoom tool active in the control point editing area. The created control pointwill be displayed in blue.

26.4.3.7 Delete selected control point

This tool is opposite to the single adding tool and lets you delete control points singly. Just select a control point and click on the "Delete selected control point" icon. You canalso delete a point with the 2 previous tools, select the point and then press the delete key.

26.4.3.8 Add control point using geometric analysis

Geometrically analysis the panorama to find the new control points. Uses the images? common positions to find the overlapping areas. If the 2 images overlap and there areno control points, the algorithm will try to add them.

26.4.3.9 Clean bad control points

This tool works together with the control point editor setting tool tab. According to the setting used, the algorithm saves or deletes the points that have a value that exceedsthe defined threshold on a pair of images or on the entire panorama.

26.4.3.10 Optimization settings

The control point editor setting window is divided into 2 tabs: Optimization and tools.

Optimization tab

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Optimization presets


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Strong: (default) This is the best choice in the majority of assemblies. This has a goodcalculation time/assembly quality compromise.

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Advanced settings


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Assume line/column shooting: Active for panoramas coming from a Gigapanhead. This method requires high precision in the shooting matrix.

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6) Multiple viewpoints: Tolerates variations in the nodal point and detects changes inviewpoint to provide a satisfactory result, whatever the shooting condition.

Tool tab

The tab lets you set the control point editor tools. This tab works together with the Add/Delete control points by geometric analysis tool.

CP detector qualitySets the detection quality when a control point is added to an area with the Add control point tool.The default value is inherited from the value used in the initial detection of the panorama.

Detection quality:Low: Good compromise between the quality of the control points and thedetection speed.

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Standard: (default) Increases the density of the points at the expense of thedetection speed.

♦

High: Very slow, reserved for desperate cases (?.but think about it all thesame before giving up).

♦

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Number of points / Image pair: Influences the number of control points exported toPanotools as well as on the detection quality. 50, the default value, seems to be thebest choice in the majority of cases.

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RANSAC Model: Lets you select the detection algorithm.Similarity:♦ Homography:♦

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Geometric analysisLets you set the control point Add tool based on geometric analysis. This tool does an analysis andtries to find geometric correspondences between images that currently overlap in the panorama.

Find control points where none exist: Looks for control points in overlapping imagepairs but that do not have control points between them.

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Find control points everywhere and merge with old CP: Looks for control points andcontrol points existing amongst overlapping image pairs.

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Find control points everywhere and remove old CP: Looks for control points in alloverlapping image pairs and replaces the existing control points with the detectedpoints.

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Bad control point cleanerLets you set the control point Delete tool based on geometric analysis.

Keep only control points below this error (RMS): Useful in cases where quality counts.• Keep only the N best control points: Useful in cases where only the number of controlpoints per image count.

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Remove links over this error (RMS): Useful in cases where the quality of the linkscounts.

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26.4.3.11 Contextual help

Click on this icon to activate this tool. Click on the icon of your choice to view information about its use.


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27 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Panorama Editor - Layers Editor

27.1 PRINCIPLE

This tool is based on a known fact: many panoramas are made up of images that have common information, the same speed, the same openness or the same focal length.It is interesting to group images with similar characteristics during the mixing phase and treat them as a sub-group (layers).There is a simple method for treating certain images by layer, regardless of other images.

27.2 INTEREST

This is obviously very interesting for assembling bracketed images. The bracketed panoramas obtained can be mixed as you wish (using Photoshop masks, etc.).Each layer is specially optimized by the use of all constraints and all images, not only images of the current layer. So if you stack the panoramas, they will match perfectly.

27.3 INTERFACE

27.3.1 Toolbar

27.3.1.1 Add images

Lets you to add one or more images to the selected layer. Autopano Pro will then integrate this image (or these images) into the panorama preview. You can also use thecontextual menu (right click).

27.3.1.2 Remove images or layers

Select an image or layer and click on this button to delete it. Autopano Pro will then remove it from the panorama preview. You can also use the delete key or the contextualmenu (right click).

27.3.1.3 Image properties

Lets you see and change the image properties.

27.3.1.4 New layer

Creates an empty new layer in which you can slide or add images.

27.3.1.5 Reset layer

Lets you return to the initial state.

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27.3.1.6 Group by aperture

Creates layers that depend on the openness of each image.

27.3.1.7 Group by bracket

Creates layers that depend on the bracket of each image.

27.3.1.8 Group by focal length

Creates layers that depend on the focal length of each image.

27.3.1.9 Group by speed

Creates layers that depend on the speed of each image.

27.3.1.10 Group by stack

Creates layers that depend on the stacks of input created images.

27.3.2 Layers list

This area lets you manage the layers and images that form a panorama.The information used by each image can be seen in independent columns (name of the picture, shutter speed, openness, focal length). Each of these columns can be sortedby clicking on its title, which quickly shows the logic in a sequence of images.

This window also lets you:

Move an image from one group to another:•

Select the desired image and drag & drop to the desired layer.

Rename a layer:•

Double-click on the name of the layer so that it can be edited. You canalso use the contextual menu (right click).

Show/Hide an image/layer in the preview:•

Lets you display or hide an image or a layer in the preview of thepanorama, just check / uncheck the image or layer.This function is applicable only for the preview of the panorama editorand not for the rendering. If you do not want an image to be viewed in therendering, delete it.

27.3.3 Contextual menu (right click)

Rename layer: Lets you rename the layer.

Add images: Lets you add images. This works the same way as the Adding images tool.

Remove images or layer: Lets you delete images or layers. This works the same way as the Delete images tool.

Copy to new panorama: Copies the current selection to a new panorama. The latter will open in the panorama window.

Move to new panorama: Lets you move the current selection into a new panorama. The latter will open in the panorama window.


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28 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Render

The following tool is used to export the panorama:

The ?Launch the rendering? window is the last step in creating a panorama. This window lets you set (or re-set) the rendering options for the exporting of the panorama,according to your needs.

28.1 OUTPUT SIZE

Lets you adjust the panorama?s output size with the cursor (percentage of the maximum size), by entering the desired width (in pixels) and by entering the desired height (inpixels). A reminder of the maximum size is shown on the first line. The maximum size (100%) corresponds to that of the original pictures. This information was registered atthe shooting and will be kept on the final image.

Notes

Do not feel obliged to work 100% systematically. If the diagonal viewing angle is greater than 90° in the rectilinear projection and if the vertical viewing angle ismore than 90° in the cylindrical projection, the pixels of certain parts of the image are considerably stretched out (the rectilinear edges, the cylindrical height). Itwould be wise to consider that if 100% is selected in this case, the definition of the image cannot be homogeneous (for example, limited to 70% or 50%).

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In terms of speed, it is the surface that counts: at 30%, it is 10 times faster!•

Maximum size and multiple focal lengths: In the case of a panorama that uses images shot with more focal lengths, the maximum dimension corresponds to thedimension for which the image has more details (the longer focal length) will be 1 (for one pixel in the source image, there is one pixel in the destinationpanorama). Thus it makes sense that the pixels corresponding to images of lower focal lengths will stretch.

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28.2 INTERPOLATOR

The interpolator is used to project the pixels of the source image on the panorama. Its quality often depends on the sharpness of the panorama.

Nearest: Reserved for testing, because of the numerous and very visible artifacts created. In return, this is the fastest.• Bilinear: This is a correct quality/speed ratio choice.• Bicubic: (default) Use it if you do not know. The difference with the bilinear is almost imperceptible to the naked eye but can be seen in the lines with strongcontrasts. Its default use is recommended.

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Strengthened bicubic: This is the same thing as the bicubic but it is stronger (the fortification level corresponds to the same settings as in Photoshop whenchanging the size of an image).

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Softened bicubic: This is the same thing as the bicubic but it is softer (the softening level corresponds to the same settings as in Photoshop when changing thesize of an image).

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Spline36: This powerful method of interpolation is to be used when extreme or high post-rendering is necessary. The difference with the bicubic is not seen by thenaked eye.

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Spline64: This works the same as the Spline36, but it is stronger, slower and usually better (you need to try it to see).•

28.3 BLENDING SETTINGS

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The purpose of the mixer is to combine the overlapping zones without it being seen so that a perfect stitching of the panorama images can be obtained. Autopano offers 4optimization profiles adapted to your needs without having to change them yourself. These profiles correspond to the pre-configurations that can be seen in the "Advancedsettings".

Blending Presets

Simple: This is fast but it is possible that defects are seen where the areas overlap.• Anti-ghost: Conserve the image's strong characteristics (stops, lines, curves) when mixing while automatically removing objects that have moved.• Exposure Fusion: To be used if the panorama was created with a bracket shoot. Keeps the best of different exposures.• HDR output: To be used by users who wish to create a .hdr format file in order to create post-production or special effects.• Custom: This is enabled when you manually change the parameters and they no longer correspond to a profile.•

Advanced settings

Blending:None: For each position, the algorithm uses the pixel with the greatest importance according to the required weight.♦ Linear: The rendered pixels are the result of a weighted average of input pixels.♦ Multi-band: Lets you mix the average value (color trend) of the images while maintaining their details.

Multi-band level: Lets you adjust the influence zone for each input pixel. Each pixel will double its influence zone for each supplementallevel. For example, at level 2, each pixel acts on a span of 2 pixels in the final rendering, 4 pixels at level 3, 8 pixels at level 4... Level 0represents the maximal influence zone (depending on the size of the input images). The negative levels let you reduce this area based onthe maximum area. -4, the default value, seems to be the best choice in the majority of cases, if the color correction is enabled.

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Diamond weight: The pixels in the centre of the images are more important than the pixels on the edges of the images.• Remove the ghosts: Avoid mixing the superimposed pixels that do not have the same information (moving object). This algorithm is applied to each layerindependently.

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Exposure Fusion: Weights each pixel according to its exposure. Lets you to mix different superimposed images excluding under-exposed or over-exposed areas.• Remove the HDR ghosts: Avoid mixing the superimposed pixels that do not have the same information and that come from different levels (moving object on thesame bracketed image). At least 3 different information (layers) are needed to determine the information to exclude. It is advisable to get more for a greaterreliability of matches (warning, a layer that is entirely over-exposed or under-exposed can not be used).

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28.4 FORMAT

Lets you choose the output format, encoding, compression quality and resolution.

Type of file Options Notes

JPEGCompression:quality from 1to 12

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Depth: only 8bits (does notkeep the

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Maximum size: 64,000 x 64,000 pixels.Warning, Adobe Photoshop refuses to open valid jpeg files that contain more than 30000 pixels.

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alpha layer)Support ICC:yes

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SupportIPTC: yes

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PNG

Compression:from 1 to 7

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Depth: 8 or16 bits(keeps thealpha layer)

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Support ICC:no

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SupportIPTC: no

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Maximum size: 64,000 x 64,000 pixels•

PSD / PSB

Depth: 8 or16 bits wihtalpha layer

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Handlesembeddedimages

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Support ICC:no

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SupportIPTC: yes

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Maximum size: 300 000 x 300 000 pixels• The PSD format is a traditional Adobe format, which is accepted by all Photoshop versions and other software.The PSB format eis another Adobe format that is relatively new and unknown; it is not compatible with version 7.0and previous Photoshop versions. It has been available since 2003 and is compatible with the Photoshop's CS andCS2 versions. This format is an extension of the PSD. It is used for saving larger images, see gigantic according tothe usual criteria.

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So, when one of the panorama?s dimensions surpasses 30,000 pixels or when the file size exceeds 2 gigabytes, AutopanoPro automatically chooses the PSB format instead of the PSD format.

TIFF

Depth : 8 or16 bitswithout alphalayer

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Compression:none, LZW,ZIP

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Support ICC:yes

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SupportIPTC: yes

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Maximum size: none• Saving in TIFF multi-layer lets you work with the image in GIMP but not in Photoshop. To work in Photoshop youshould save in the PSD multi-layer.

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16-byte TIFF files are not compatible with certain software.• The TIFF compression modes are not very good. We strongly recommend compressing the LZW with a 16-bit TIFFfile. The resulting file will seem larger than if it had been saved without compression. . The ZIP compressionremains a good choice.

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HDR

Depth: 32bits

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Compression:none, RLE

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Support ICC:no

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SupportIPTC: no

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Maximum size: none• This file format is recognized by Photoshop CS 2 as well as by software that use tone mapping such as Photomatixor FDRTools.

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EXR(OpenEXR)

Depth: 32bits

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Compression:none, RLE

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Support ICC:no

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SupportIPTC: no

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Maximum size: N/A• http://www.openexr.com : This file format is recognized by Photoshop CS 2 as well as by software that tone mapssuch as Photomatix or FDRTools.

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KRO(Kolor Raw)

Depth : 8, 16or 32 bits

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Compression:none

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Support ICC:no

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SupportIPTC: no

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This very simple file format was created in order to render in an unprocessed file format without any limits. Hereare instructions on how to decode a KRO format file.

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Maximum size: none•

28.5 EXPORTED DATA

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Lets you define how and what data needs to be exported:

Data:Panorama: Permet d'exporter le panorama.♦ Layers: Lets you export the individual layers created with the layer editor.♦ Pictures: Lets you export the images used to create the panorama.♦

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Options:Embed all outputs: Incorporates all the data in the same file.♦ Remove alpha channel: Deletes the alpha layer of the exported files.♦

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28.6 OUTPUT

Folder: Lets you specify the file in which the image will be saved.• Filename: Default syntax of the file name. Click on the icon for a description of the symbols that make up the models (syntax) of the file name.•


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29 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Batch Rendering

29.1 PRINCIPLE

The batch rendering lets you automatically concatenate the rendering. To do this, a list of projects (.pano) needs to be defined. Each project will be rendered one afteranother.

Without talking about batch rendering, by clicking on the "Render" button from the Render settings will automatically open this window.This allows you to view the progress of the calculations and to obtain certain information (computing time, etc.).

NotesAutopano can render while you continue to work (detection/editing). However, it is sometimes more convenient to postpone the final rendering step at a time when yourcomputer is not in use (at night for example) especially if you are rendering large panoramas.

29.2 INTERFACE

29.2.1 Toolbar

29.2.1.1 Open rendering queue

Open a file (.apb) containing the list of projects to render.

29.2.1.2 Save rendering queue

Save a file (.apb) containing a list of your projects.

29.2.1.3 Add project

Lets you open a project (.apt) directly in the batch-rendering window.

29.2.1.4 Remove project

Closes a project (.pano) directly in the batch rendering window.

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29.2.1.5 Start batch

Launch or stop the rendering of batches. Only projects on hold will be rendered one after the other. This means that a rendered, annulled or failed project will no longer berendered. To stop batch rendering without canceling the current rendering just click on the launch button again.

29.2.1.6 Pause batch

Lets you pause the current rendering.

29.2.1.7 Abort rendering

Stops the current rendering and renders the next project. The rendering of batches is not stopped. The small arrow besides the icon lets you cancel the current rendering andto stop the rendering of batches..

29.2.1.8 Open rendering directory

Facilitates access to the folder containing the rendering of selected projects.

29.2.1.9 Contextual help

Click on this icon to activate this tool. Then click on the desired icon to see information on how it works.

29.2.2 Progress bar

Displays the progress of computing during the export of the panorama.

29.2.3 Rendering queue

This frame shows the list of projects that you want to render. An icon found in front of each project name shows the rendering state:

The project is being rendered.

The project has been rendered.

The project is waiting to be rendered.

An error has occurred during the rendering.

The rendering has been cancelled.

The rendering has been paused.

29.2.4 Properties

The selection of a project in the list lets you display the following properties:

Path and name of the project

Stitching information

Number of images• Size in pixels• FOV• Stitching quality• Type of lens used• Type of projection used• Color correction mode used•

Benchmark

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This information informs you of the calculation time for each rendering step and the amount of memory used.


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30 Autopano Giga 2.5 - Glossary

30.1 KRO Format

The KRO format is a simple image saving format.

20 bit long header:3 bit: "KRO" signature in 0x52 0x4B 0x4F hexadecimal1 bit: version 0x01Unsigned long: WidthUnsigned long: HeightUnsigned long: depth => 8 bits, 16 bits, 32 bitsUnsigned long: ncomp => number of bodies, nodes and 4 default, RGB + Alpha* Data: The data is not compressed

Everything is stored in the big endian format (header and data).• The data is saved RGBA, RGBA (or RVB, RGB only if the component is 3).• It is the order of the principal lines: the first line is stores, then the second, etc.• The top row is the first line.• The columns from left to right are stored in a line.• The 16 bit format is a full 16 bytes (0...65535), no floating point (this is not like the half of floating points in OpenEXR).• The 32 bit format is pure 'c' float stored in big endian binary format (IEEE 754 binary in floating point).• No specification of color space or metadata stored.• The maximum file size is governed by the file system.•

Xnview can open and write KRO files (.kro)

30.2 RANSAC

RANSAC is an abbreviation for "RANdom SAmple Consensus" (random sampling method). This method can estimate the parameters of a mathematical model starting froma set of data containing outliers. In Autopano, the estimated mathematical model is the transformation that can pass from points detected in one image to points detected in asecond image. This transformation can be:

A similarity (when the shot was made with pure rotation around the nodal point).• A homograph (when shooting is done from two different points of view)•


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Documents

Autopano Giga 2.5 User Manual