FW: panoramic photo for computer use

[Mike Sinclair <sinclair@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Julie,

Neat product and great panoramas on the site!

I do have a question though about the table you show on
http://www.smoothmove.com/html/Product_info/photosolution/index.html
concerning the availability of a spherical panorama capability. I regularly
use the spherical panorama tool in PhotoVista from Live Pictures that you
list as non-existing. I realize your company has the ability to pan AND TILT
a camera with a wide angle lens to create a complete, pole-to-pole,
spherical panorama but there are a number of other ways to use PhotoVista to
create a complete spherical panorama without a fisheye lens. Also, you show
your tool requiring a minimum of  5 stills for a panorama (though not for a
complete pole-to-pole one) and 12-18 for LivePicture (PhotoVista). Doesn't
this depend on the lens' focal length? In PhotoVista (and QTVR?), if I use a
14mm lens on the camera, I can create a panorama (though not a complete
spherical one) with 5 pictures also. It appears like you might be comparing
a 24mm lens in portrait-mode using PhotoVista with a 14mm lens using
SmoothMove(?). Also, PhotoVista is capable of producing a 4 still panorama
(though not complete pole-to-pole) using a 16mm fisheye.

As I understand what your company brings to panorama technology is the
ability to create a complete (pole-to-pole) spherical panorama with a
rectilinear lens (as short as 14mm) by panning, tilting and special
stitching software - a great capability.

-Mike Sinclair-


> -----Original Message-----
> From:	stark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx [SMTP:stark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent:	Tuesday, April 27, 1999 1:14 PM
> To:	'panorama-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx'
> Cc:	Krista DiGiacomo (E-mail)
> Subject:	RE: panoramic photo for computer use
> 
> Dear Panoramic Imaging Enthusiast,
> 
> Misinformation seems to be propagating like wildflowers lately...
> 
> Infinite Pictures, the developer of SmoothMove technology, introduced a
> product in mid-February that enables you to quickly and accurately capture
> and create fully navigable spherical panoramas using an ordinary 35 mm
> camera, 14 mm or longer lens, QuickPan panoramic tripod head and
> SmoothMove Photo Suite. 
> 
> This innovative product has no per-panorama royalties; provides tools to
> embed hotspots; includes PC and Mac viewers and browser plug-ins; supports
> QTVR output; and produces panoramas that are small enough to place on web
> sites, e-mail or insert into presentations. 
> 
> In late May, the SmoothMove Spherical Photo Solution will be available
> from Kaidan (http://www.kaidan.com). The key difference between SmoothMove
> software and QTVR is that the former can produce fully spherical (360
> degree) panoramas as opposed to only cylindrical panoramas. 
> 
> In a recent Infinite Pictures press release, David Palermo, Apple's
> Product Manager of QuickTime VR said, "We're excited that Infinite
> Pictures is working to support QuickTime VR, our award-winning,
> cross-platform virtual reality technology, in their SmoothMove Spherical
> Photo Solution. It is an important development in the rapidly-expanding
> world of immersive imaging."
> 
> In early September, Infinite Pictures plans to have a Macintosh version of
> their SmoothMove Photo Suite. 
> 
> Kaidan and Infinite Pictures are both dedicated to providing professionals
> with the tools to create immersive images whether from CG drawings,
> photographs or video. To see the quality of their panorams, please see the
> demo section of their web site at http://www.smoothmove.com.
> 
> Julie A. Stark
> Public Relations
> Infinite Pictures
> 33 NW First Avenue, Suite 1
> Portland, OR 97209
> 503/221-2449
> stark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.smoothmove.com
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:	cozy3 [SMTP:jason@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent:	Tuesday, April 27, 1999 1:25 PM
> To:	panorama-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject:	Re: panoramic photo for computer use
> 
> there are a number of solutions out there.
> i think you've heard of IPIX, not recommended.
> there also is QTVR from apple computer. www.apple.com/ search for QTVR
> Live Picture has a solution www.livepicture.com
> Ulead is basically a rip off of live pictures.
> smoothmove, but also not recommended.
> plus others.
> 
> If you want to put it on cd-rom, QTVR would be your best option.
> they have intergration with apple media tool, director, and Mtropolis.
> the nice thing about cd is that you don't have to worry to much about the
> size of the resulting movie.
> if you want to put it on the web, you will need to either cut out the zoom
> to be able to download quicker or use Live Picture Flash Pix technology.
> this by far is the best. the only problem is that It isn't the easiest.
> and Live Picture doesn't have a Cd-rom solution.
> 
> what sort of camera do you plan to use?
> another question would be what sort of budget do you have, this could
> answer what software you will have to use.
> 
> Jason Cozy
> Photoartist
> jason@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> 
> >Hello
> >
> >I'm looking for the best technical solution to take a 360° photo. 
> >
> >This photo has to be treated and inserted in a CD ROM. The result to be 
> >achieved is to give you the impression you are right in the center of the
> 
> >taken photography, that you can turn around you and take various 
> >orientations. 
> >
> >The technical problems :
> >- the quality has to be enough good to support a zoom x2,
> >- no movement is accepted yet places photographed might be full of 
> >people,(snap shot)
> >
> >I have heard about a solution using a vertical camera and 2 complementary
> 
> >spheric mirrors ahead.
> >
> >
> >Thank you for your help.
> >
> >
> >Franck MOULIN
> >