The 0-360 UnWrapperª was designed to be a simple, yet
powerful program for processing images from the 0-360 Panoramic Opticª. This
stand alone application will run on Windows¨ based machines or Apple Macintosh
with Mac OS X 10.2 and later OS.
To begin, simply open the program, and follow the
instructions given.
NOTE: Before you
begin, you should already have transferred the image files from your camera to
the computer. Please consult your camera's Owner's Manual for instructions on
transferring the image(s). Usually, it is as simple as connecting the camera
via the USB cable, and following the on-screen instructions.
HINT: It may help to create a new folder in a convenient location, and then transfer the images to that folder. Creating a new folder for each set of images will help keep the images conveniently cataloged.
HINT: For best
viewing, before you begin, resize the 0-360 UnWrapper window to full-screen
size.
To Begin, click the "Browse" button and locate the
image file you wish to process. The 0-360 UnWrapper processes JPEG, BMP, XIF,
and uncompressed TIFF images. Other formats may not appear in the Open window.
Using the mouse, click on the image and drag until the
circles are centered inside the image of the mirror. Adjust the sizes of the
circles by clicking and dragging on any of the circles' handles. For fine
adjustment of the circles' center, use the Arrow keys on your keyboard. An
accurately chosen Image center is important for proper Image UnWrapping.
The inner circle should outline the inner black circle
(mirror support rod), and the outer circle should locate the outer edge of the
mirror, just inside the black outer area.
Zoom in or out by changing the Image Zoom values at the
bottom left corner of the screen.
The UnWrapper will automatically remember your circles'
positions, so that they will be in the same positions when you process the next
image(s).
Use Circles to Center and Crop Image. (recommended) - By checking this option, the
circles help locate the center of the Image, and also determine where the image
will be cropped. With this option, the UnWrapper will skip Step 3.
Use Circles to Center and Crop Outer Image. View UnWrapped Image to Crop Center. - By checking
this option, the circles help locate the center of the image, and Crop the
outside of the image only. The UnWrapper will allow you to view and further crop
the unwrapped Image on the next screen, Step 3.
Press "Next" when finished.
Click and Drag on the horizontal lines to crop the image to
the area of the image you wish to retain. The areas above the top line and
below the bottom line will be deleted.
Zoom in or out by changing the Image Zoom values at the
bottom left corner of the screen
Press "Next" when finished.
HINT: The processing
will be fastest with an Image Zoom (bottom left corner of screen) of 25%.
Larger previews will take longer to redraw. Zoom in or out by changing the
Image Zoom values at the bottom left corner of the screen.
HINT: For best results, learn to use the Levels adjustments
in the Advanced section, and skip the Basic section. Levels give you much more
control over the image brightness, contrast, and tonal range.
Hue - Changes the color tone of the Image, from more green to more red.
Saturation - Changes
the intensity of the colors in the Image.
Brightness -
Lightens or darkens every pixel in Image.
Contrast - Increases
or decreases the brightness of adjacent pixels. Increasing Contrast darkens
pixels which are darker than the Mid Point, and lightens pixels which are
lighter then the Mid Point. Decreasing Contrast lightens pixels which are
darker than the Mid Point, and darkens pixels which are lighter than the Mid
Point. Too much Contrast makes the Image harsh, while too little Contrast makes
the Image muddy or washed out.
Click and Drag the sliders to adjust the Image Hue, Saturation, Brightness, and Contrast. Alternatively, you may enter numerical values directly in each control's value box.
HINT: For best results, do not adjust Brightness, but set the Black Point, Mid Point, and White Point individually in the Advanced Section (below).
HINT: Setting Black
Point, Mid Point, and White Point (see Advanced Section below), is a better way
to achieve proper Image Contrast. Contrast adjustment is normally not needed.
Click and Drag the sliders to adjust the Image Hue,
Saturation, Black Point, Mid Point, and White Point.
Levels - The most
important adjustments for improving Image appearance. With a little practice
and experimentation, you will be able to improve almost any image.
Explanation: Every pixel in the image has a luminance
(brightness) value of 0 to 255, 0 being pure black, and 255 being pure white.
By adjusting the Black, Mid and White Points, you can enhance the Image's
Shadows, Highlights, and Midtones, and increase the tonal range of the Image.
For most images, having black Blacks, white Whites, and bright Midtones will
produce a final Image with a nice tonal range and contrast.
A graph of the pixel Levels in the image, called a
Histogram, is shown for assistance in analyizing the Image and setting the
Levels.
Black Point -
Determines which pixels values in the Image will appear as pure black.
HINT: For most Images,
move the Black Point slider to just inside the lefthand pixels in the
Histogram. This will set the darkest pixels in the Image to Black, thereby
increasing the Image's Contrast.
White Point -
Determines which pixels values in the Image will appear as pure white.
HINT: For most Images,
move the White Point slider to just inside the righthand pixels in the
Histogram. This will set the lightest pixels in the Image to pure White,
thereby increasing the Image's Contrast.
Mid Point - Lightens
or darkens the Midtones of the Image. Moving the slider to the left will
brighten the Midtones, while moving it to the right will darken the Midtones.
HINT: Set the Black
and White Points first. The Mid Point will automatically adjust to the center
value (This is represented by a 1.00 value). Then, adjust the Mid Point as
desired.
Zoom in or out by changing the Image Zoom values at the
bottom left corner of the screen.
Press "Next" when finished.