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

Corinna Jacobs wurde 1971 in Waiblingen geboren, arbeitete von 1990 bis 1997 als Tontechnikerin beim Süddeutschen Rundfunk (SDR). Danach studierte sie Audiovisuelle Medien an der Hochschule der Medien in Stuttgart mit dem Studienschwerpunkt Interaktive Medien. Sie beschäftigt sich seit 2001 mit digitalen Panoramen, und die Herstellung sphärischer Panoramen war Inhalt ihrer Diplomarbeit. Seit 2002 arbeitet Frau Jacobs als freie Panoramafotografin und Webdesignerin.

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.