25 reasons to upgrade to

PhotoWarp 2.5

1. Additional one-shot optic source types

   PhotoWarp 2.5 includes support for the following one shot optics:

   • Kaidan™ 360 One VR®
   • 0-360™ Lens
   • BeHere® TotalView®
   • Remote Reality® OneShot360®
   • Egg Solution® Egg 360°

   All of these source formats use a calibrated optical profile to ensure the most accurate geometry possible for each lens. Often, this profile is even more accurate than the original software that came with the optic.

2. FlashVR output format

   FlashVR is a perspective-correct panorama viewer written in Macromedia Flash. As more computers today have Java applets disabled or unavailable in their browsers, this is an attractive way to deliver interactive panoramas to an Internet audience.

3. Cube face image output format

   Some users may like to manipulate the faces of a QuickTime VR Cubic image in an external program before generating their final panorama. This might be useful for composing multiple shots for a "full cubic" pano, or for hot spot generation tools. The Cube face images format will generate six image files for the faces of a cube for easier editing.

4. Perspective and spherical projections for thumbnails

   Thumbnails always used a cylindrical projection in earlier versions. Now, you can choose a cylindrical, spherical, or perspective projection for the thumbnail. With a perspective thumbnail, you can create a poster image that will look the same as the default view of the panorama.

5. Auto Levels filter

   A simple checkbox on most output formats, auto levels will adjust the contrast of the image to fill the entire dynamic range from black to white. This has identical functionality to the Photoshop function of the same name, and is useful to enhance images and bring out small details.

6. Live preview window

   A preview window generates low resolution QuickTime VR movies as sources are manipulated. This gives an accurate preview of the results without unwarping. The preview can be used to precisely set the default view of panoramas as well.

7. New Setup Assistant

   Initial setup of PhotoWarp has been simplified with the new Setup Assistant. The assistant guides new users through entering a license key, software registration, and essential preferences.

8. AppleScript support on Mac OS X

   PhotoWarp 2.5 includes a scripting dictionary to automate with AppleScript. You can create a script to make new jobs, add sources and change their formats, unwarp jobs, and more.

9. 16 bit per channel processing

   Previous versions of PhotoWarp would always downsample source images to 8 bits per channel for unwarping. In 2.5, PhotoWarp can preserve the full dynamic range of source images throughout processing. If an output format is selected that supports 16 bits per channel, the full range of the source will be emitted.

10. Even faster unwarping

    PhotoWarp 2.5 has the fastest unwarping engine available in any application. PhotoWarp is fully optimized for multiple processors, G4 and G5 processors with Altivec, and Intel processors with MMX, SSE or SSE2.

11. Unwarp Selection command

    Rather than unwarping all the sources in a job, the Unwarp Selection command in the File menu will unwarp only the current or selected sources.

12. Image file proxy icon

    A draggable proxy icon for the currently visible image file is shown in the Job window. This can be used for easy access to the original file for editing or reference.

13. Faster, more accurate mirror detection

    A new algorithm is made available in PhotoWarp 2.5 for detecting the position of a mirror in a one-shot image. The new technique is extremely fast (under half a second per image), and more accurate than the previous technique for the most common image. The new algorithm supports all one-shot optics available in PhotoWarp.

14. EXIF grouping for mirror detection

    PhotoWarp 2.5 interprets image files to group photographs likely to have identical mirror positions. PhotoWarp will take the best position match within a group and apply it to all the images in the group to improve mirror detection in batch jobs.

15. Source images can be edited externally while PhotoWarp is active

    Image files can be manipulated and saved in Photoshop or another image editor that is an active source in PhotoWarp. Once PhotoWarp is reactivated, the display will update automatically to reflect changes in the file

16. Mirror distance parameter for 360 One VR sources

    For 360 One VR lenses, a mirror distance parameter records the distance in millimeters between the apex of the mirror and the camera's focal point. PhotoWarp 2.5 uses a ray tracing algorithm and the precise geometry of the mirror to deliver an extremely accurate unwarped image. Previously, unwarping images taken at a significant offset from the base of the optic resulted in some bending of lines in resulting panoramas. This is eliminated with this new control.

17. Customizable panorama constraints

    PhotoWarp 2.5 allows the user to customize the view constraint parameters manually for each source. By default, PhotoWarp will intelligently select constraints for the source, which can be easily overridden for any purpose.

18. Auto-rotate panoramas

    PhotoWarp 2.5 offers an auto-rotate capability for all interactive panorama output formats. This uses the built-in facility for PTViewer and Zoom viewers, or generates a custom wired sprite for QuickTime VR movies.

19. Adjustable tilt for view knob

    The view knob for sources with PhotoWarp 2 was restricted to the horizon. In 2.5, the knob will stick to the horizon, but can be moved to any tilt position. Holding the alt key while dragging will disable the sticky horizon.

20. Split line for sources

    Sources, when unwarped to a cylindrical or spherical format, will be split consistently at the same angle in PhotoWarp 2.5. This split line position is displayed on the source pane directly opposite the view knob, and can be moved by dragging the view knob.

21. Next and Previous source buttons

    By clicking the arrow buttons above the Unwarp button, you can switch between sources in a batch job without accessing the source list.

22. Multiple selection in the source list

    You can now select one or more sources in the source list at the same time. Once selected, you can unwarp, remove or change the type of all the selected sources at once.

23. Dimensions indicator for image files

    Below the resolution slider for cylindrical and spherical image formats, the Dimensions indicator shows the exact dimensions of the image file that will be generated. The value changes live as the resolution slider is changed.

24. Target file size

    A target file size can be indicated. PhotoWarp will automatically adjust compression settings to meet this file size as closely as possible.

25. Web view output pane

    The output pane will now display web pages using Safari on Mac OS X or Internet Explorer on Windows.

Legal Notices | Privacy Policy