Panoramas

[Geoff Chandler]

I don't know if you have it - but there are usually 3 or 4 different types
of scan available in MS Ice - and it interprets the scan differently according
to which is selected

[kgosden]

Danwiz,

I am not convinced that CS5 actually did a better job. To my eye it made some poor interpretations to output a more rectangular image. The smaller rocks just to the left below the large boulder are clearly not a match for the original source image in the CS5 version. Those nearest the bottom of the frame have shifted the equivalent of a foot or more to the left.

[Kushnirenko]

Just wanted to show you one of my less successful MS-ICE efforts and how Photoshop CS5 did with the same 2 images.
The first 2 images are the originals.

Attachment 58520

Attachment 58521

This next image is what ICE was able to do with the above 2 images.
Attachment 58522

Finally - the below image is what Photoshop CS 5 was able to do.
Attachment 58523


Quite an amazing difference. So, when you have troubles with ICE I recommend that you try the photomerge tools in CS5.

danwiz

I download first 2 pictures and have decided to play with them.
Most attempts in scale of 100 % from the original.

Result of Autostitch http://www.cs.bath.ac.uk/brown/autos...utostitch.html.




Next 5 variants - the results taken in my favourite program PTGui http://www.ptgui.com/.
It only the small review from all possible variants of modifications a panorama. Only projection variants - 15

Rectilinear projection, center point at middle of stitched shots




Cylindrical projection, center point at middle of stitched shots




Rectilinear projection, center point in the bottom of the big stone




Cylindrical projection, center point in the bottom of the big stone




Stereographic projection. 50% scale

[Geoff Chandler]

I see the prolem in MS ICE with this one
You would need to use CS3,4,5... to distort it to straighten out
All the Scan pans have a similar problem - I think this
is because of the wode angle lens used and the crucial upright within the bolder being at
different angles in each image

[danwiz]

Great, I got what I wanted here - some genuine discussion! I love it.
Yes, I have ICE - as I said - the first attempt was with ICE. I don't see any choices for different types of scans with ICE, maybe I am not looking hard enough. I even installed the latest version to try this out for posting here.

Yes, the 2 original shots were actually taken from different points - which makes it difficult for any program to try and stitch them. The choice I used with CS5 was "Geometric Distortion".

kgosden: you commented: "The smaller rocks just to the left below the large boulder are clearly not a match for the original source image in the CS5 version. .....". But - I ask - if you do not have the 2 original photos - can you find a precise place in the stitched image which clearly shows that it's a stitch job?

Kushnirenko: yes, I played with all of those variants in CS5 too. As I said above - I decided to go with the "Geometric Distortion" option. Why? Because it gave me a wonderful panorama with no obvious (at least not to me) stitch seams.

Anyway - My point here was to show some results which you can get with CS5 - I don't own stock in Adobe, so I don't really care whether you buy it or use MS - ICE or another free program - it's totally up to you. I have CS5 and therefore I take advantage of what it has to offer me.

danwiz

[kgosden]

danwiz,

I agree that CS5 seemed to create a very nice looking, and seamless result. It would certainly be difficult to find any seams without the original source photos to compare. Looking at a full resolution image might be different, but I suspect not much. I have found that it does help to try panorama stitching in different programs as each have different strengths on blending and ghost removal. I have been impressed by ICE lately especially with the ease of use and being free.

[kgosden]

Kushnirenko,

PTGui does seem to produce good results. I just do not take enough panoramas to justify the price over ICE.

[Anthony]

I just do not take enough panoramas to justify the price over ICE

I am in a similar situation I probably do a couple of panoramas a year so can not justify $116 for one program ( have you tried Hugin ) and if you add in $100+ for photo professional; $100+ for the focus stacking software which again probably gets used once a year not forgetting the HDR software at say another $100.
For now I need to make do with free software which some times can not compete but does do a very good job for most straight forward projects. I suppose this makes CS5 look a good buy with a lot of these features built in!
I suppose I need a co-operative of say 5 people who all buy one piece of software and let other people come around and us it on their PC

This is not a rant or having a go at someone; although it may read that way!

[danwiz]

Anthony: I did not read it as a rant nor as "having a go" at anybody. Makes sense. I was fortunate in that my very first edition of Photoshop was a present and then I have upgraded every other edition to keep my price reasonable. I don't mind the upgrade price of around $99 every second edition considering what I get.

I agree, that the price if Photoshop - if one is buying it for the first time - is outrageous. I would also probably not have it if I had not received my first edition as a gift.

[Anthony]

Thanks danwiz I just felt it did not read very well and somebody may have taken offence.

Anyway I have just downloaded and installed Hugin and it has improved al lot since last time I tried it. It used to spread files and programs all over the desktop.

I would say it is similar to ptgui ( although I have not tried it ) and although it can do a simple stich it is complicated. There are loads of options for most settings and probably worth persevering with.