PhotoFit Harmony User's Manual 

[Contents] [Basic Features] [Sample Works] [Basic Operations] [Advanced Property]

Whole panorama generator
         PhotoFit 
              User's Manual

                                                                                (c) TEKMATE 2003
                                                                              Ver. 1.12


1. Overview

1-1. introduction


Welcome to PhotoFit Harmony and the world of the whole panoramic images.
The PhotoFit is a high performance stitching software, which comes equipped with high precision multi-row stitching technology, automatic focal length detection, automatic distortion cancel, perfect perspective correction, and several projection types as Linear, Panorama, Ultra Wide Linear and Fisheye capability.

In addition, PhotoFit has easy-to-use interfaces. That are, Image File Finder, non-click thumbnail viewer, drag and drop stitching, PhotoFit Manager and others.

You may simply take overlapped photographs using your digital camera, then you may get a whole panoramic image which has wider angle and larger pixels !
Enjoy PhotoFit.

1-2. Contents


Overview   
                         [introduction] [contents] [Basic Features]

Sample Works  
                    [The whole panorama] [Creating a big image] [Distortion Cancel] [Creating 360 degree Panorama] [Ring fish eye] [Perspective conversion] [Special effects]

Basic Operations  
                    [Installation] [Uninstall] [First step]

Advanced Properties a la carte  
                    [Projection types] [Auxiliary Lines] [Mixed orientations] [Perspective correction] [Advanced reports] [Ring Fisheye] [Color Adjust] [Print]

1-3. Basic Features


2. Sample Works

2-1. The whole panorama

@


  Center part of Shiraito Falls. Single image taken by digital camera.
This picture is a part of Shiraito Falls which spreads wide at 150 degree or more.
Only the narrow part of the scene can be taken by ordinary digital camera.


Single inlined four images.
Single row panorama method is one of the classic solutions to take whole scene.


This panoramic image created from inlined four images.
Though, It makes high aspect ratio image.



    Multi-column and multi-row 16 images.
PhotoFit is a whole panorama generator,  which can stitches multi row images.


  THe whole panorama image that created from 16 images using PhotoFit
Stitching with the PhotoFit, The whole view of panorama is expressed by one picture.

*** sample images : Pictures\ShiraitoFalls. ***


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2-2. Creating a big image


Since PhotoFit constructs one image from multiple source pictures, the number of pixels of the created image can be increased.



These 20 pictures has low resolution (0.35M) pixels.
In this example, 20 photographs are taken with a 350,000-pixel(VGA) class camera.


PhotoFit Makes High resolution (3.6M pixels) image from 20 pictures.
PhotoFit created the 3,600,000-pixel image.



Here, we used the VGA class images as the sample pictures,  of course, having the original pictures more pixels, the larger photograph can be created.

*** sample images : Pictures\Ebis, if exist. ***
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2-3. PhotoFit makes a straight line straight


The existing lens has a distortion, the picture which taken through the real lens has distortion.
However, using the PhotoFit, distortion of created image is corrected satisfactorily.


Sample 9 pictures as image source. Magnified center one. (pictures\FlwrL)
 

Left: Nine pictures as image source.

Right: Single picture,  center of nines. This image has distortion somewhat.

                  

Distortion is decreased significantly in stitched image.
A wide image created by PhotoFit using nine pictures. Distortion is decreased significantly.


*** sample images : Pictures\FlwrL. ***

The PhotoFit works always with automatic distortion canceller.  

[Tips about grid] 


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2-4. Creating 360 degree Panorama

2-4-1. Single row 360 Panorama

The PhotoFit creates 360 degree Panorama easily.


 Nine pictures were taken around the 360 degrees. (picts360\kn360)
 360 arrounfd panorama image.


[Sample procedure]

  1. You may use as sample images \Picts360\Kn360.
  2. Select eight shots of original pictures from KnC07.jpg to KnC14.jpg.
  3. Drag & drop them into main view from Image File Finder.
  4. Place the KnC10.jpg in the Base Position. 
  5. Confirm that eight pictures are correctly located in a line. (It is simple when using [Single inline] command.)
  6. Click [Fit 360] command.


** You may use [Fit] command instead of [Fit 360] command. Select one less errors.
** In the case that pictures have no overlap zone on end to end,  [Fit 360] command cannot be used.


2-4-2. Multiple row Whole Panorama


The creating process of Whole Panorama is easy, and as simple as single panorama.


  27 pictures with multi-row.
 Multi-row whole panorama image has appropriate aspect ratio.

[Sample procedure]

  1. Use the pictures [Picts360\Kn360] folder and [Picts360\Kn360\AddOnPic].
  2. Arrange 24 pictures as shown.
    KnB07 KnB08 ...... KnB10 ...... KnB13 KnB14
    KnC07 KnC08 ...... KnC10 ...... KnC13 KnC14
    KnD07 KnD08 ...... KnD10 ...... KnD13 KnD14
  3. Click [Fit 360] command.


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2-5. Ring fish eye

The 360 degree panorama can be changed into ring fish eye. 


Ring fisheye image.


*** With this sample, the center is shifted 90 degree. Therefore, the image is the same as the fisheye photograph, being straight downward. However, it becomes blank because the image doesn't exist in the image central part.

*** The field angle of this sample image is about 260 degree. The downward scene of the camera is reflected by the central part of the image. The upward scene of the camera is reflected by a circumference part.


See [Making procedure of ring fish eye


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2-6. Perspective conversion

Using PhotoFit, realize the perspective conversion of the picture.


   (Pictures\Building)

   The virtual view point is too high.       The virtual view point correspondsto the vanishing point.
   The mark Shows virtual lens direction.  


*** sample images : Pictures\Building. ***


See [Correcting procedure of perspective] for more information.

*  PhotoFit creates only the image that may be actually photographed, if appropriate combination of a camera or a lens is used.   We never introduce unfeasible deformation.


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2-7. Varieties of special effects


You may enjoy various effects using the characteristics of a stitched photo.

2-7-1. The pseud multiple-exposure effect


When the moving object appears in the separate shots, it becomes like the multiple exposure photograph.


(pictures\takeoff)
This series of pictures were taken one after another aiming at an airplane.
(Pictures\takeoff\FitJPG)
   

*** sample images : Pictures\TakeOff. ***



2-7-2. Simultaneously Panorama



If your photographic object is moving, walking or running, some discrepancy shall appear in constructed image. However,
When such, take pictures simultaneously with two or more cameras.


(Pictures\Shibuya)
This three pictures were taken by three cameras simultaneously.
(Pictures\Shibuya)



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3. Basic operations

3-1. Installation

3-1-1. The file organization

The file organization is as follows.
(* shows folder name.)

PhotoFitHarmony
+---PhotoFit_Harmony.exe  The executable program of the PhotoFit. (This program name is may be changed as PhotoFit_?????.exe)
+---Read1st-PH.txt          Read first text.
+---Setup.exe                   Installation program.
+---Setup.ini                     Ini file for Installation program.
+-*-PfGuide                      Folder for the operation guide.
|  +---PfPrdcts.htm           Features table of the PhotoFit family.
|  +---PfGuide.htm            Compact Guide.
|  +-*-ImgFiles                  Data for PfGuide.
|  +---PfMnl.htm              User's Manual. (This Manual, you are reading now)
|  +-*-PfitMnl.fil                 Data for PfMnl.
|  +---Others.
+--*-Program                    Folder for miscellaneous program.
+--*-Pictures                     Folder for the sample images.
+--*-Picts360                    Folder for the sample images of 360 degree panorama.

3-1-2. Installation with setup program

  1. Launch Setup.exe in your extracted file.
  2. Filling up the folder name which installs PhotoFitHarmony. It doesn't care about the folder which doesn't exist yet. Default folder name is C:\program files\PhotoFitHarmony
  3. Clicking the [execute] button, the Photofit files are copied to your folder and an icon is registered to the Desktop.
    ** PhotoFit does not affect any Windows system files.

3-1-3. Manual installation

  1. Copy the set of PhotoFit files to your folder.
  2. Drag PhotoFit_?????.exe file and drop it on the Desktop. An icon will be created on the Desktop.
  3. It does not need to copy any PhotoFit file to Windows folder.

3-1-4. Start up

You can launch PhotoFit by clicking PhotoFit icon on desktop or use Start > Programs menu.

3-1-5. Uninstall


1. In the case PhotoFit was installed with installer.


 Launch Setup.exe in the folder of PhotoFit, put a tick to 'uninstallation', then execute it. Another way, follow Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > PhotoFit_?????, Press [Add/Remove..] button.
All files are deleted by any way, and the shortcut icon on the desktop is deleted.




2. In the case PhotoFit was installed by hand.

Delete Whole folders of the PhotoFit.

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3-2. The first step of PhotoFit


This chapter describes the basic operation of PhotoFit.
 Furthermore,  the PhotoFit Manager, which is a powerful wizard for your assistant, will also be explained.

See Compact Guide for non wizard version description.

3-2-1. Run PhotoFit with sample project plan file

The most simple way of Operating PhotoFit is using project plan file.  The project plan contains informations about the relation of pictures, not images.  PhotoFit is supplied with some sample picture files and project plan files.

3-2-1-1. loads project file


Start Windows. Double-click on the icon of PhotoFit, and start PhotoFit.
Using the Image File Finder, search the file called "PhotoFit\Pictures\Flwrl\FlwrPlan.fit", for example.
*** PhotoFit uses ".fit" as project file extension. The project file keeps constructing information of pictures. It doesn't hold real image data.
Drop it to the Image Window.


Drag and Drop the project plan file.

The PhotoFit loads nine pictures according to the project plan file, then shows them as "picture piece" at inner circumference of Image Window.

3-2-1-2. construct sample pictures


Verify the original pictures in the cells appropriately.
*** To show any single picture, double-click it's thumbnail.
Click on [Fit] command (or click [go] if  "Execute [Fit]" shows ). Then, constructing is started automatically.


Click [Fit] commnd.     Press [go] command.


*** During work, the [Waiting Time Watch] is displayed on the position of thumbnail viewer. However, The expected times may change dynamically, advance of the needles may stop or go back.
*** Click the watch image on screen or press [ESC] key to interrupt the work.


Fitting is done.

[Top]  [render and output image]

3-2-2. Run PhotoFit with sample pictures

Learn about the operating PhotoFit with sample image source and no precasted project plan file in this section. 

Start Windows. Double-click on the icon of PhotoFit  and start it.
Using the Image File Finder, search the folder called "PhotoFit\Pictures\Flwrl" for example.

3-2-2-1. register pictures



Drag and drop the selection.
Drag and drop the selected pictures into the image window.



** To select multiple pictures:  Click file name pressing [Ctrl] key.
** To add All pictures in a folder with one action:  Drag & drop the folder by folder name.


Nine pictures are registered.
Nine pictures are registered to image window.

3-2-2-2. Construct a picture with the drag and drop method

Choose one picture which shall be centered .


The dragging picture is shown as half-transparently. 
Drag a picture which shall be centered.


Drop a picture as Base-Picture.   
 Drop it to the Base Position.

Base picture is fixed.
Base picture is fixed.



** The base positioned picture supplies a norm of construction. All constructing parameters as position, perspective, angle and others are based on Base Picture.


Drag it on the overlapped pattern.
Drag a picture and drop it on the fixed picture with pattern overlapped.


You can notice the pattern matching of two images by frame color changed.
Matching of overlapped pattern causes change of the dragging picture's frame color.


Drag and drop fitting is done.
The picture's just fitted position is calculated and displayed immediately.

3-2-2-3. Arrange the all pictures with [Inline] command

You can use [Inline] commands to automatic arrange the single row or multi row pictures.


Nine pictures are registered.
Register the target pictures.

Click [Triple Inline] command.
Click [Single inline], [Dual inline] or [triple inline] command. 


Automatic arranged.
PhotoFit arranges them automatically.


See [Construct sample pictures] for next step.

3-2-3. Specify final image area


click [Area] command after the construction of the image is finished. The rectangle frame appears in the constructed image screen as rendering/cropping area.

Output (Rendering/cropping) area.
Rendering the image will be performed to inner side of cropping frame.
you may select the cropping shape from rectangle, circle and ellipse.




3-2-4. Specify output pixel size

The text box of [Output pixel size] in the PhotoFit Manager can be used for specification of pixel size.


Selecting parenthesized value causes partial colored output image.
Select one of [Large], [Medium], [Small] or [User Size]. 
 Selecting parenthesized value may causes partial colored final image by means of too big pixel size for this edition of PhotoFit.

3-2-5. Render and Save created image

Click [Save] command while rendering/cropping area is shown.


Choose one of image formats.
Choose file format, filling up the file name, click [Save] to render the image and save it.

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4. Advanced properties a la carte

4-1. Available projection types

The PhotoFit offers various projection types to renders stitched images .  Some projection types separates into sub mode, which characteristics is shown Table 1. 
You can select one of sub modes by following steps.  [Menu]-->[Process]-->[Option Parameters]-->[default mode of projection type].

Projection type General feature of the constructed image Feature of the horizontal direction Feature of the vertical direction
Linear Any straight line keeps linearity.
Like as normal photography with Wide-Lens.
Good result is achieved under the 120 degree approximately. Good result is achieved under the 120 degree approximately.
Linear, Ultra Wide Horizontal or vertical straight line keeps linearity, though slant straight line can not maintain straight. Compression is applied on horizontal ends.
Good result is achieved under the 150 degree approximately.
same as the linear projection.
Good result is achieved under the 120 degree approximately.@
Panorama, Cylindrical Equivalent to panoramic camera like as Noblex or Widelux . Horizontal distance is proportional to source image nearby axis. same as the linear projection.
Panorama, Conformal Keeps the angle or the aspect ratio of the source image in neighborhood.
 It looks most  naturally.
Horizontal distance is proportional to source image nearby axis.  It follows for the Conformal formula (keep aspect ratio).
Panorama, Equirectangular
360degree by 180degree photo may be projected on 2:1 rectangle. 
(Spherical projection)
 Horizontal distance is proportional to source image nearby axis. Vertical distance is proportional to source image.
Panorama, Equal-area Keeps the area ratio in comparison with the source image.  Horizontal distance is proportional to source image nearby axis.  It follows for the equal area formula.
Fisheye, Conformal   Keeps the angle or the aspect ratio of the source image in neighborhood.
Fisheye, Equidistant  Radial distance from the center point is proportional to the angle distance.
Fisheye, Equal-area  Keeps the area ratio in comparison with the source image in neighborhood.

Table 1.  Features of Projection Types. 

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4-2. Indicates some Auxiliary Lines

4-2-1 Show cover up range frame

The cover up range frame helps you visually to know the arrangement of individual pictures' territory.


PhotoFit shows Cover-up range of selection.
The cover up range of each selected picture pieces are indicated on constructed image.

[Showing procedure of cover up range]

  1. First, construct your pictures.
  2. Click [Aux.Line] to show auxiliary lines.
  3. Select one or more picture pieces.
  4. The cover up range of each selected pictures are displayed.

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4-2-2. Show constructed position of the pictures

The position marks show you visually the positions of the pictures.


PhotoFit shows center position of all fitted pictures.
The center position of all picture pieces are indicated on constructed image.

  1. Click [Aux.Line] to show auxiliary lines after construction.
  2. Select none of picture piece.
  3. The center position of all picture pieces are displayed.

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4-2-3. Show grid lines

The grid lines help you visually for judgment during the perspective correcting work.


PhotoFit shows grid lines on fitted image.
The perspective of photographic objects is quite clear with grid lines

  1. Click [Aux.Line] to show auxiliary lines after construction.
  2. Click [Area] command.
  3. The grid lines displayed.

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4-3. Mixed orientations

PhotoFit doesn't worry the source images are oriented as portrait orientation or landscape orientation. That means you may turn your camera 90 degree on the way of the taking a series of pictures.


PhotoFit accepts mixed orientation.
The [turn] command rotate selections at one click work.


[Commands of turning the picture pieces]

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4-4. Perspective correction

4-4-1. Why perspective correction

The perspective of the constructed image is the important key feature to maintain the correctness of the image.
To realize importance, let's see these sample pictures.


 (Pictures\Rcar)        (Pictures\Rcar)             
Picture c10.                                  Picture c11.

Base picture is C10.
Image (1),  C10 based. 



The PhotoFit created the Image(1) above when designates c10 as Base picture.


Base-picture is C11.
Image (2), C11 based.


When assigning c11 as Base picture the PhotoFit created the Image(2) show above.

It means the perspective of the base picture specifies the whole perspective and means the good way to take a picture to use for Base picture is take the picture with proper perspective at the time of the photography.

Then, in case of there is no picture good for Base picture, what should it carry out?
PhotoFit offers highly efficiently perspective-correcting-function. You can use it.

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4-4-2. The Crossing point is the Virtual view point

The perspective correcting method which PhotoFit has introduced is very simple. The PhotoFit always shows the crossing lines in the center of constructed image window.  And the PhotoFit renders the image as if it directs the lens center of your virtual camera towards the crossing point.
Under those circumstance the crossing point of the lines mean  the "virtual view point" or "virtual lens center" which is directed towards there.

4-4-3. How it works


You can simply transfer the crossing point by dragging a line, to obtain your desired perspective.  


Drag one of crossing lines.    
Drag one of crossing lines.
(To show crossing lines, Click [Area] command.)


New image with new virtual view point.
The newly constructed image is shown. 

4-4-4. How to find effective virtual center in you photos



(1) Vanishing point
If your image has a vanishing point, try it.  Vanishing point is a point that extension of parallel lines crosses at one place. Try several points since not all vanishing point are effective.


Vanishing point
This series of images has appropriate vanishing point luckily.



(2) Top tapered
If Your image is top tapered, base point is too high. Drag dawn Horizontal line to your eye level.


The virtual view point is too high.                              Eye level point.
Top tapered image has too high view point.  


(3) Curved horizon
In classic theories the panorama photographer was requested to direct his/her lens towards horizontal level strictly.
However the digital photographer using PhotoFit may not regard lens direction whether tilt up or down at photography.


The virtual view point is too low.
This panoramic image has curved horizon because the series of pictures were taken with lens tilted. 

Horizon level point.
Direct your virtual lens towards horizon. The panorama image may changes correct.

4-4-5. correct inclined image


Inclined image. 
This castle image with tower leans slightly as like as Pisa's one.


Drag rotation-arrow-mark.        Corrected image.
You can drag rotation-arrow-mark to designates new horizontal line. 

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4-5. Advanced reports

 The PhotoFit  may report special values which hidden usually.  It will appear if the frame of thumbnail is dragged and expanded.

That report contains several important items as Focal Length, Field of View, and  CCD Size.
These values were calculated uniquely by the PhotoFit while Fitting works. 


Some advanced reports.
Viewing informations on demand.

When you are annoyed by a classical stitching tool which request you fill up the Focal Length value that you don't know, the good action is to stitch the pictures with PhotoFit in first.
Since a certain stitching tools will produce a better result by using Focal Length value known here. 

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4-6. Ring Fisheye


The 360 degree panoramic image can be convert for a ring image.

To make Ring Fisheye, you must make the 360 degree whole panoramic image, first.
Then click [Area] command. The cropping frame will be displayed.
Open [Option] window, select [Fisheye] projection type. Click [OK] to close [Option] window.


Ring fishey requires full 360 degrees image data.



The little circles that noted [Ring center] were settled central top and the central bottom of the panoramic image.  


[Ring center]
Click [Ring center] mark to creates ring fisheye image.


Set area of output image.
To crop the image rounded shape, click [Option] command, check [circle].




**The image less than 360 degree can not change into the ring fish eye. That will be changed into the sector image corresponding to actual angle.


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4-7. Color Adjust

Do color adjustment when color difference is exists among the source images .


(Pictures\ThunderGate)    (Pictures\ThunderGate)
Two images have color difference because taking the pictures with automatic exposure.

4-7-1 To do color adjust



Use Color fitting manager.

  1. Open single picture window.
  2. Click [Color] command to open [Color Fit Manager] window.
  3. You can specify adjustment quantity by moving a slider in the frame with [Exposure sample] or [color Balance sample].
  4. You can choose adjustment quantity clicking sample thumbnail, too. New adjustment is shown the slider positions.


Color Fitting Manager.


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4-7-2. To perform Color to Color automatic conforming

.
[Conform] command.
Drop the target image into [Original Image] box.
Drop the reference image into [Reference Image] box.
Choose the reference colored zone in the [Reference Image].
In the [Original Image], choose a matching zone.
Click [Conform] command. 
Result Color matches to reference Color.
The target image color will be conform to reference color.

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 4-7-3.To adjust particular color zone


The target color zone to apply the settings.
Check [Similar to Original Color] or [Similar to Reference Color]. The adjustment quantity which is shown by the slider is applied to the part with specified color. adjustment is done at few rates to the part which the different color.

Check [Similar to Original Brightness] or [Similar to Reference Brightness]. The adjustment quantity which is shown by the slider is applied to the part with specified brightness. adjustment is done at few rates to the part which the different brightness.

When you move the slider to the side [Generally], the concept of "Similar" is widely applied. so, the [Result image] shall changes widely.
However, move the slider to the side [Narrowly], the concept of "Similar" is narrowly applied. so, the [Result image] shall changes at specified color zone only.

** When checking in both with color and bright, only the zone where both with color and bright resembles the reference color will be set as the target of the adjustment.
** In case of the [narrowly] side, you will feel only a few adjustments executes. It is because only slight adjustment is performed in the color is different zone.
Color corrected image.
resulted picture

4-7-4. To apply the same adjustment to multi picture image all together


Check [Apply same settings to all the selection]. The adjustment will apply to the all selection of Picture pieces.


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4-8. Print

4-8-1. Single image print


The printing command of PhotoFit is in the menu of each single images.  Clicking [Print] command the size/position setting window shall be shown.


[Print] window.
Print Size/Position setting window.  


In this print Setting window, you can set print position and size.

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4-8-2. Big size print

 To print Too big size image to print your printer  click [Spreads the picture on multi sheets] option in print dialog window.


Divided print window.
divide to multi sheets print window.

The PhotoFit divides a single picture to multi sheets and print them.  You can make a big signboard by pasting them together.

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Purchase PhotoFit

To register PhotoFit, visit our web site.  Click here 

For download more sample images and for more information, also visit our web site.  Click here 

If you have a problem using PhotoFit, Contact us [ support@photofit4panorama.com ]

PhotoFit User's Manual

(c) TEKMATE 2003