Product reviews by Smooth
PhotoVista Panorama
Rating: 
Updated: 11 Sep 2004 at 10:42 GMT,
by Smooth
This review is on PhotoVista 3.0 for PC 11/09/2004
Firstly this software is an incarnation of the original released a long time back in 1996. Originally owned and developed by Live Picture and then MGI who then changed the name to Roxio it is now owned and distributed by iSeeMedia a Canadian based company.
Photo Vista 3.0 is capable of stitching images from almost all cameras with most types of lenses. (Though full circular fisheye images) are no longer supported. This is a major disappointment if you happen to own a fisheye lens. Previous version 1.01 (Live Picture) did support this style of lens.
The program runs on “lens files” to suit your camera/lens combination and customs lens files can be made using the in built Custom Lens Interface. For this you will need to know the focal length of your lens and also the FOV of your lens.
Lens files are basically just a text file (made with notepad) laying out the relevant required parameters with the file extension removed. These files are then stored in folder within the software folder structure for future use. (Multiple lens files can be stored) This is good if you have multiple cameras or lens combinations or you have just updated your camera.
Some lens files do come preconfigured with the software, although these files are to suit older digital cameras and most people will know find these useless. This to me points to a lack of interest from the current program owners. That said you can go ahead and make your own lens file. Albeit that you may require help from either forum members or the lens calculator available on the www.panoguide.com website.
The program does stitch very well (once you have the correct lens file for your camera) and is quite speedy when compared to other comparable software programs. You can output your stitched panorama as a *.bmp, *.jpg or as a *.fpx (Flashpix) your options include cylindrical – spherical or cube faces.
The program also writes the HTML and offers two types of java output notably one that’s requires a iSeeMedia plug-in and one that doesn’t. The program also offers it own limited version of FTP support to upload your finished panorama files to your website.
You can also import finished panorama images and then reconfigure should you wish too. Say into cube faces or regenerate the HTML and Java applet.
Things of note:
• Software GUI opens to a ridicules small sized window (800x600) that cannot be resized.
• Manual “Image Wrapping” is available in case you need to make fine adjustments.
• Printing is available directly from the software after you finish your stitching.
• Clicking on the “Download More Lenses” button results in a web page telling you to visit www.panoguide.com to figure out your lens so you can attempt writing your own. (Although this is good for Panoguide) You would think the page would have a selection of downloadable current modal cameras lens files.
• Tech support from iSeeMedia is very poor
• The company relies heavily on it’s user forum which is maned by panorama faithfuls.
• There is a known issue of the iSeeMedia applet calling the image “twice” from the server (for no apparent reason).
• Program price varies depending their mood it would seem from as high as $79.95 USD to as little as $19.95 USD (the price I paid!) via an email marketing advertisement.
All in all this is good software without being great! (Though wouldn’t take much for good programmers to fix it) Basically it is the same software that was released in 1996 with some minor improvements and some major benefits removed. For me I have trouble getting past the lack of support and can’t understand why a product with so much potential is being wasted in the hands of the current developers. For a product to have been around for as long as it has it really should be much further advanced and priority should given to supplying current lens files for today’s cameras. I say if you want to learn panorama stitching and your budget is limited then this is a good tool for your panorama software toolbox.
Recommended
Panoweaver
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