steve263

Hi,
After I last uploaded some new photos from my lastest holiday,(see www.dragonontheweb.com and move to 'holland'), Paddy suggested that I might like to put a tutorial on uploading and making panoramic photos.

I use Photovista Panorama http://www.iseephotovista.com/produ...oduct_info.html This is a fairly easy to use software, although there are plenty more out there. This is one example of a lovely site that has used a great panoramamic shot. http://pic.templetons.com/brad/pano/

Here is another one, http://www.ulead.co.uk/cool360/runme.htm that can be purchased, or have a free trial, and Pix around lite can be downloaded free from here http://www.winsite.com/bin/Info?500000028720

Basically in all these type of programs, the idea is to take several photos that all overlap the other. It depends on the type of shots you want. To take just a general view of a horizon for instance, take about six to eight shots. To take a 360 degree one, would take 20 plus. In all cases, the best way to take them is with a tripod or monopod to get level photos.

With my software, open it up, then, file, get images, and browse for the ones you want. Then add them and they will appear in the source file window on the right. When they are in the source files window, click on sort, then you will have the chance to reverse the order of the photos. That just depends on which way you took them. Don't worry as when you want to make the panorama you just click on preview, and you will soon see if they are back to front. If they are just go back and reverse the photos.

Then, click stich. Remember though that this software at least has the panorama type as 3D and the stiching as 360 as a first setting. If you only want to make a simple 'horizon' type shot, then use the drop down to change to 2D. There are other types of panoramic photo styles there, but these have done me so far.

After you are happy with the photos etc, then click 'stich' and it will be all done for you. When the photo comes up in a new window, you can save it, either as a simple panoramic photo, or a web photo. That of course is a new ball game, and if anyone wants to put them in a web page, then let me know, and I will be happy to take you through it.

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Darren

Thank you for sharing this article with us Steve. This will get quite a few started

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Paddy

Thanks for that Steve. I will have to get out the tripod and have a go at this. Your images had me looking for ideas on how to shoot the images and it appears that a special head or bracket is needed on the tripod to get the images correctly. I will have a play with the standard head first and see how I get on. Thanks again guys for inspiration, the food of fun

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Paddy

As usual, couldn't wait..... I have just had a go with a panorama (360) in the kitchen. Yep it's sad I know but I just wanted to have a go

Anyway, from Steves links I downloaded PixMaker Lite and set up my tripod, just guessed at the level but did notice that around the locking coller of the column were 12 vertical marks. Using a mark on the head, I aligned with the first of the twelve. I used this to index the pictures all the way around giving me 30 degree spacing between the images.

PixMaker Lite took a while to align and stitch the images and I must admit, in the previw screen while it was doing this, it looked pretty poor. However, when it had finished, I was amazed... a full 360 degree panorama of the kitchen!!!! Sadly, my lens is not that wide so quite a bit of wall in places but it works, it's great fun, so far it's free so have a go folks.

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steve263

Well, this one seemed to have Paddy excited enough! I am glad that you have tried it Paddy. I have used Pix lite myself, but personally I prefer the format and way of using Photovista. However it is all a matter of personal choice, and it is just one more way of using the camera. Keep on snapping mate, and when you are out and about, take a few of the views. You will be amazed at what comes out.

__________________
Life is a game, and in the end we all lose it. Just enjoy it while you are playing.

Dragonontheweb.com Check out the site, and let me know what you think.

British Comedians My other site, give it a look and let me know your thoughts

The Burns family web site. Burns and Mantle history

A site about nearly 40 years with the same company
Cardiff Bus

Paddy

Lol.... sorry, I do get carried away sometimes

One thing I did notice withe the free download, PixMaker Lite, was the save as web option gave a very low res (unusable) image when I previewed the final product. Is there any way of getting a better quality image Steve? I assume this is the price you pay with freeware compared to the full priced package such as the one you use.

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steve263

Hi Paddy,
I think you will find that unless you save and upload this image to a web page, then it will be no use at all. All these programs should give similar sorts of results, some better than others. I will have another look at pix maker this weekend, and upload one to a web page to try it out. I have not used it for some time, so I will have to open it up and have a look.

__________________
Life is a game, and in the end we all lose it. Just enjoy it while you are playing.

Dragonontheweb.com Check out the site, and let me know what you think.

British Comedians My other site, give it a look and let me know your thoughts

The Burns family web site. Burns and Mantle history

A site about nearly 40 years with the same company
Cardiff Bus

steve263

Hi,
I have made up and posted a web page made using pix maker lite. This can be viewed by clicking here http://www.dragonontheweb.com/holland.htm and clicking on the test link at the bottom of the page. As you will see, it has a letter box style format as against the box format that I use. I just find my own easier to use, but I guess it is just a matter of personal taste.

__________________
Life is a game, and in the end we all lose it. Just enjoy it while you are playing.

Dragonontheweb.com Check out the site, and let me know what you think.

British Comedians My other site, give it a look and let me know your thoughts

The Burns family web site. Burns and Mantle history

A site about nearly 40 years with the same company
Cardiff Bus

Paddy

Mmmmm interesting Steve. I have had another play with the PixMaker Lite and still get a very low res image even when posted on the net. I then tried re saving a high quality jpeg over the one that the web publish created which appeared to give a better image on the preview but it is a huge file. Sadly I deleted all my test images in a bit of over the top hard disk house keeping so I will have to start all over again....

What I do not understand is that the help file says that when you publish for the web template, you will be asked what quality image you want, but this doesn't appear to happen. Will have another go soon and re post on my web site to see what it looks like.

Cheers for the help Steve

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