Panoweaver

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Rating:
Updated: 10 Sep 2007 at 10:02 GMT, by Robert King

I have been using Panoweaver software from the very beginning of my virtual tour businesss. At first, I used 3.0 and then 4.0 to stitch circular fisheye images, and then after I upgraded my equipments to SLR and sigma fisheye lens, I shoot drum fisheye images to stitch with version 5.0, and it always gives satisfying results. As I always shoot the images according to the requirements, the auto stitching is always fast and accurate. Flash output is also of good quality. Easypano keeps improving the software functionality and even gives out free upgrade offers to existing v4.0 users like me.

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Rating:
Updated: 4 Sep 2007 at 6:40 GMT, by Betty

I am old user of Easypano Panoweaver and I have used 3.01 and 4.00 and in April, 2007, I got free offer of version 5.00. To me, Panoweaver is always quite easy to use. Its price is quite worthwhile, because one can get continuous support from Easypano(free offers of version 5.00 to all existing v4 users). Full screen Flash output of v5 is also great.

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Rating:
Updated: 27 Jul 2007 at 8:52 GMT, by Alexandre

I'll recommend Easypano products to anyone who wants to start in the pano business, but not to someone who already has some experience. They are really really expensive comparing to the poor results you get, but you probably buy the ease of use if not the good results.

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Rating:
Updated: 30 Jun 2007 at 7:23 GMT, by klaus99

I love the 5.0 version and I think it is the most easy to handle and accurate stitching software. I use Nikon D80 and Nikor 10.5mm lens and get seamless panoramas and splendid flash output in full screen.

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Rating:
Updated: 30 Apr 2007 at 9:00 GMT, by Dean Weaver

When I wrote this review (in Oct 2005) - I was using V3 & although V4 had been introduced (with the ability to stitch 'None full-frame' fisheye images) I still prefered the results using a 'full-frame' camera.
However V5 is a MASSIVE improvement. It's use of the 'smartblend plugin' totally removes the brightness-falloff that I get with the Sigma 8mm lens & it's selection of 'stitching points' is awesome (I rareley have to change these).
The image at www.photopanorama.co.uk/lancaster/niche_cafe/_qtv... only had a small area of the ceiling retouched + some minor 'photoshop' work.
Version 5 is awesome.....

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Rating:
Updated: 11 Jul 2006 at 9:35 GMT, by Mariny

I love this software. Its result is so accurate if you shoot the images well. I use Canon 350D and Sigma 8mm lens. I can produce as many panoramas as I like(not like IPIX). But I think the price is a little high. It will be perfect if it is a bit cheaper....

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Rating:
Updated: 19 Jan 2006 at 5:04 GMT, by Sabrina

Panoweaver 4.0 is very easy to use and saves me a lot of effort.

I just need to import my full circular fisheye images into it and use the auto-stitching function, then it will help me to stitch the images into a panorama within blinks.
Excellent! It really saves me a lot of effort. Besides, the outcome has good quality. But of course, there is no software in the world without any shortcoming. I think the interface of the software is not very friendly enough.

Anyway, it is a good software. I hope that company, Easypano, will produce more and better products in the future.

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Rating:
Updated: 16 Dec 2005 at 3:52 GMT, by Morris Lee

I’ve been using the version 4 for several months, and getting very well with it. I became interested because it supports images shot by many DSLR cameras. It stitches 4 drum fisheye images and 4 or 6 full frame images besides 2 or 3 full circular. I make the 4 drum images mostly, with my Canon 20D and Sigma 8mm. The automatic stitching is fast and fairly good. You can also refine it by adding pairs of matching points in the overlapping images manually, which makes the stitching much perfectly.

In addition, Panoweaver 4 integrates up and down fisheye images as sky and ground to cover the gaps. So you can get a full 360 by 360 spherical panorama. Of course, some retouching work is needed on the seams of the sky and ground.

Other features I found useful include: the ability to save stitching parameter settings, a zoom range from 12.5% to 800%, and the full screen QTVR output. I also like its easy going interface.

In a nutshell, it’s an efficient stitching tool and produces high quality panoramas.

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Rating:
Updated: 14 Sep 2004 at 15:17 GMT, by bizman

I have been staying with Panoweaver for years, and I think it is a great product, especially for a web design and vitual tour company like me.
The version I used now is V3.01, which is even better than the reviewed v2.0. I found that there are some advantages of 3.01 version.
1. The overall stitching is almost full automatical. It is really easy to get to use it.
2. Stitching 3 fisheye images is available, which make it very easy to stitch seamless panoramas.
3. The cubic and spherical conversion makes it easy to erase tripod in the pano.

There are also some rooms to be improved.
It seems the file directory is not remembered when I restart the OS. I sincerely suggest that the file directory should be remembered.

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Rating:
Updated: 9 Sep 2004 at 8:03 GMT, by Smooth

This review is on version 3.01 Pro 09-09-2004

As a long time user of this product I can attest to it's value. The program is the best in it's class in my opinion and this is stated after spending many thousands of dollars on "Fisheye" stitching software. Panoweaver 3.01 Pro is capable of stitching full 180° images produced via a fisheye lens. A good example is a Nikon Coolpix using a Nikon 183° Fisheye lens.

Recommended Camera Gear:

Nikon Coolpix 900, 950, 990, 995, 4500, 5000 and Nikon FC-E8 Fisheye lens (Lens adaptor if required)
Nikon Coolpix 5400, 5700, 8700 and Nikon FC-E9 (Lens adaptor if required)
Others brands are supported (Please visit the website for more listings)

Panoweaver 3.01 Pro can stitch either 2 shot or 3 shot fish-eye's into full 360° x 360° Spherical Equirectangular Images and does a mighty fine job of it. Though, you will soon realise that 3 shot is far superior to two shot stitching. (because of the extra overlap)

Panoweaver does NOT stitch non "full circle" fisheye images and is not a cookie cutter "cylindrical" panorama maker. Spherical images allow the viewer (YOU) to pan the image in any direction both 360° around and 180° up to the sky/ceiling and down to the floor/ground giving a true feeling of being there.

So why the "Professional" version?

Simple, you will see based on the results of stitching 3 fish eye shots over 2. (They are far superior!)

Other points of note include:

* Output to Java Zoom Viewer
* Output to Java PTViewer
* Output to Quicktime Viewer
* Save Panorama in Cube or Equirectangular / Spherical Image
* Multiple image output options: *.bmp, *.jpg, *.png, *.tga and *.psd (Layers YES!)
* Output's HTML code for your website
* Manual control of stitching (Not really required if you have your gear set up correctly)

Although it is made and sold by Easypano it is not really for the novice photographer. It is more suited to the novice "spherical" panorama maker who has an understanding of panorama stitching.

Of all the important points to mention is that Panoweaver Pro 3.01 requires you find the "exact" nodal point of your camera/lens combination and use a "Professional" panohead on your "stable" tripod. I cannot emphasise this enough! Professional quality results come from professional quality equipment. This professional equipment use in conjunction with Panoweaver 3.01 Pro will yield you with excellent results everytime. Of course being a professional photographer will also help. (Oh! saying you are one, doesn't make you one!)

Some negative points.

* Cannot be used with non "full circle" fisheye images (this includes DSLR with Sigma 180° fisheye lens)
* Manual stitching view is too small (can be overcome using a magnifying glass)
* Printed manual not much chop (very basic) online and program help is the same.
* Limited image size support of 5000 x 2500 (Still, plenty big enough for "full-screen" panorama's)
* No *.tiff support

Some positive points.

* Great helpful user forum
* Support always replies to correctly worded emails
* Stunning and excellent stitching results

All in all a superb program with great algorithms for stitching full circular fisheye images. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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