Interactive Panoramas

Explores the range of techniques for the production of digital interactive panoramas and object movies

Details of all the necessary steps involved in panoramic photography

Professional tips and tricks from a professional photographer and web designer

Panoramas have a captivating effect, whether integrated in a personal homepage or professionally used in architecture, in museums or in company or product presentations. Written in a comprehensive, yet easy-to-understand format, this book details all of the necessary steps involved in panoramic photography: from the production of digital and analog picture sequences, "stitching" using software tools (like REALVIZ Stitcher, VR Worx and PanoTools), all the way to publishing interactive panoramas on the Web (e.g., using QuickTime VR, PTViewer, VRML and iPIX). The book introduces the production of cylindrical and spherical panoramas, as well as object movies and explains how to link individual panoramas to virtual tours. Regardless if you use a panoramic camera, a fisheye lens or the single row or multi-row technique: this book offers practical tips and tricks for every alternative. Tables with detailed comparisons of the individual techniques help decide on the appropriate method for specific goals.

Autorentext

The author, Corinna Jacobs, is a professional photographer and web designer, specialized in the production of digital panoramic photography; also offering workshops for practitioners.

Klappentext

Panoramas have a captivating effect in almost every application imaginable: whether they are integrated in a personal homepage or professionally used in architecture, in museums or in company or product presentations. Written in a comprehensive, yet easy-to-understand format, this book details all of the necessary steps involved in panoramic photography: from the production of digital and analog picture sequences, to "stitching" using appropriate software tools, all the way to publishing interactive panoramas on the Internet. The book introduces the concept of producing cylindrical and spherical panoramas and explains how to link individual panoramas to create virtual tours. The production of interactive object presentations - or so-called object movies - also is described. Software products that receive mention include REALVIZ Stitcher, VR Worx and PanoTools, with attention also being paid to Internet publication using QuickTime VR, PTViewer, VRML, iPIX and other panorama viewers.Regardless if the digital pictures are taken with a panoramic camera, a fisheye lens or using the single row or multi-row technique: this book offers practical tips and tricks for every alternative.Detailed comparisons of the individual techniques make it easier to decide on the appropriate method for specific goals. This useful information adds an exciting dimension to panoramic photography and leads to high quality results that speak for themselves.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 1.1 The fascination of panoramic art.- 1.2 Panoramas on the Internet.- 1.3 Panoramic forms Projection.- 2. Fundamentals.- 2.1 Production of interactive panoramas.- 2.2 Term definitions.- 3. Photo technology and techniques.- 3.1 Differences between analog and digital.- 3.2 Analog photography.- 3.3 Digital photography.- 3.4 Tips for taking panoramic pictures.- 4. Special correction methods.- 4.l Correcting image distortion.- 4.2 High dynamic range.- 5. Equipment.- 5.1 Cameras and lenses.- 5.2 Panoramic tripod heads.- 5.3 Turntables for object movies.- 6. Cylindrical panoramas.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Photo technology and techniques.- 6.3 Stitching software.- 7. Spherical and cubic panoramas.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Photo technology and techniques.- 7.3 Stitching software.- 8. Object movies.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Photo technology and techniques.- 8.3 Software for creating object movies.- 9. Virtual tours.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Photo technology and techniques.- 9.3 Software for virtual tours.- 10. Publication.- 10.1 QuickTime VR.- 10.2 PTViewer.- 10.3 iPIX.- 10.4 HotMedia.- 10.5 Cortona VRML viewer.- 10.6 Panoramas on paper.- 11. Comparing photo technology and techniques.- 12. Comparing software applications.- 13. Comparing viewers.- 14. Application possibilities.- 15. Outlook.- A. Bibliography.- A.1 Reference literature.- A.2 Internet sources.- A.3 Image sources.- B. List of manufacturers.- B.1 Software.- B.1.l Software for cylindrical panoramas.- B .1.2 Software for spherical panoramas.- B.1.3 Software for object movies.- B.1A Software for virtual tours.- B.1.5 Software for converting panorama formats.- B.1.6 HDR (High Dynamic Range) software.- B.1.7 Viewer software.- B.l.8 3-D software.- B.l.9 Software for image editing.- B.2 Equipment.- B.2.1Camera manufacturers.- B.2.2 Lens manufacturers.- B.2.3 Manufacturers of parabolic mirrors.- B.2.4 Manufacturers of panoramic cameras.- B.2.5 Manufacturers of panoramic tripod heads.- B.2.6 Manufacturers of tum tables for object movies.- CD-ROM with sample files.