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Basic information to create a clean Quicktime VR 360°-180°
There are as many techniques as different ways to build a panoramic image or a spherical Quicktime VR through stitching. The one described below is one amongst others. It probably is the easiest one to reproduce. It's up to you to adjust it according to your needs. (as above)
Basis
For greater ease, this example's shooting is based upon an horizontal row of 6 pictures, a top view (zenith) and a bottom view (nadir) using a VR head mounted on a tripod. (see below)
| Hardware - Camera : Nikon and 10.5mm / Canon 1DS or Mark x DS and 15mm Sigma / Canon 20D and 10-22mm, Canon 5D x, etc.
- A good tripod- Support : a panoramic head (Panosorus, Manfrotto, Kaidan, 360Precision...) |
 Nikon 10.5mm - Sigma 15mm - Canon 10-22mm... |
Preliminary settings - Photo : The camera must be set to manual mode for focus, exposure and white balance to avoid any offset of the point, light and color setting between images.
- Camera + head : Beyond the correct mounting of the head and camera on the tripod, you have to define the nodal point to get pictures that are easy-to-assemble.
- Camera + head : Beyond the correct mounting of the head and camera on the tripod, you have to define the nodal point to get pictures that are easy-to-assemble.
Nodal point documentations
- Alain Hamblenne wrote a documentation on an adjustment method called "the grid":
http://www.outline.be/quicktime/tuto/ (available in english and french)
- Arnaud Frich is giving large details on the topic and on the ways to operate these different settings (french only):
http://www.arnaudfrichphoto.com/guide-photo-panoramique/point-nodal.htm
- Manfrotto also has a page dedicated to the subject:
http://www.manfrotto.com/303SPH/main.php?cnt=howto
http://www.outline.be/quicktime/tuto/ (available in english and french)
- Arnaud Frich is giving large details on the topic and on the ways to operate these different settings (french only):
http://www.arnaudfrichphoto.com/guide-photo-panoramique/point-nodal.htm
- Manfrotto also has a page dedicated to the subject:
http://www.manfrotto.com/303SPH/main.php?cnt=howto
 |
 |
| Shooting 1 row of 6 horizontal pictures + 1 top + 1 bottom
 view the video
There are many ways to "shoot" the bottom (nadir) : - 1 view by handholding the camera after taking good marks and placing yourself out of the shooting field. - 2 views with the camera inside the head, above the screwing joint of the tripod (add a logo to hide the remaining circle).
- 2 views by making sure, if your head allows it, that the camera is outside the monopod if you are sure not to have problems with paralax and/or offset.- etc |
 |
Creating the bottom picture (nadir)Whatever software you're using (Photoshop, The Gimp...), your goal is to stitch all 2 or 3 images to get a bottom image free of any part of the tripod/head.
[EDIT] You can now directly add the NADIR picture in PTGUI (or in some other softwares) to save more more time. All other steps in the video stay the sames.
StitchingIt can be done using multiple softwares with different processes, including:
- RealViz Stitcher : http://www.realviz.com
- PTGUI : http://www.ptgui.com
- PTmac : http://www.kekus.com/ptmac/
- Autopano Pro : http://www.autopano.net
Publishing (flat, Flash, Java, Quicktime VR, etc)After stitching and rendering, the resulting image (spherical, cylindrical, etc.) can be displayed "flat" or interactively through the Flash, Java or the Apple's Quicktime VR technologies.
- Realviz Stitcher enables a direct Quicktime VR and and Flash rendering
- CubicConverter is an excellent conversion software: http://www.clickheredesign.com.au
- Flash Panoramas : http://flashpanoramas.com/player/
- Krpano Flash player : http://www.krpano.com
- Immervision Java and Flash Player : http://www.immervision.com
- CubicConverter is an excellent conversion software: http://www.clickheredesign.com.au
- Flash Panoramas : http://flashpanoramas.com/player/
- Krpano Flash player : http://www.krpano.com
- Immervision Java and Flash Player : http://www.immervision.com
Enjoy your shooting...
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