Equirectangular Input.

[Jeff]

Hi everyone, just got my copy of FPP so I suppose I will be here often asking you guys for HELP !!

My first question is how do I use an equirectangular image instead of 6 cubes ?

Jeff

[Jeff]

Hi Denis, I was just going by your Ёsimple tutorialЁ
item 3 ЁCopy your panorama files (cube faces, equirectangular images) to the same folderЁ
Jeff

[Denis]

Hi Denis, I was just going by your Ёsimple tutorialЁ
item 3 ЁCopy your panorama files (cube faces, equirectangular images) to the same folderЁ
Jeff
Oh. My fault. This should be "cube faces, rectilinear projection". Thanks for finding it.
Now I have to make some solution for equirectangular images...
Actually Flash is too slow to make good transformation from equirectangular to cube faces online. For example, PanoTools or pano2qtvr will provide more quality undoubtedly (offline transormation). So this way will always be preemptive...

[Denis]

Ok. This is it. The first Flash based equirectangular to cube converter. :)

http://flashpanoramas.com/player/examples/cylTest.swf
(it loads small image 1200x600 by default)

Use it like this to test big image performance:
http://flashpanoramas.com/player/examples/cylTest.swf?file=images/djbig.jpg&
(6000x3000)

2All: Now tell me, would this feature be useful? Is so, I will add it to the next version (2.2) as a separate plugin. What default segments and sharpness are ok for you?

I remind you that separate cube faces still provide the best quality and performance for panorama player. Also cube faces do not take an additional time and memory for online conversion. I.e. offline equirectangular to cube converters will be the best choice anyhow.

Yes, cylinder projections will be supported as well so cylinders are only particular cases of equirectangular projection.

[Jeff]

Brilliant work Denis.
I hope everyone likes it.
I feel awful to think that my first question has caused you so much work! :evil:

I understand the performance issues you raised, but it would allow people to offer an (IMHO) inferior java based option) without having to upload separate source images.

Now if you could just solve my distorted hotspots problem with as much genius :wink:

Jeff

[nspirov]

Denis, this is really great, the big one generates in seconds!

Now, excuse me if I'm dumb, how do we use this to get the converted image for later use? Or this is only a field test?

Of course it would be great to be able to use equirectangular files directly with a plugin, but if it slows the speed and consumes more memory, we could convert the file before putting online, and your converter works faster than other solutions (which are not free)

[Denis]

This feature will be only for your accommodation, it allows you to keep only equirectangular images on the server, they will be converted automatically on the site visitor's computer.

I.e. there are pluses:
1. Single file, widespread format.
2. No additional converters needed.

Minuses:
1. Time for convertion (seconds for a big file)
2. Moderate quality (offline converters can do better)

In short words: use offline convertors if you can, keep in mind this feature as a reserve variant. :)

[hamoid]

I wonder how the Immervision Flash player runs so extremely fast, even in fullscreen (with cubical, spherical and cylindrical images). There must be some kind of trick...

http://www.immervision.com/en/multimedia/multimedia_products/multimedia_products_2_4.php

I did some tests myself using PaperVision3D and a cube, and was disappointed by the speed. So I guess the company above probably created their own mapping and highly optimized formulas.

In any case, for all the plugins and all the possible customization, I really prefer your player which I bought recently :)[/b]

[Denis]

They convert equirectangular images to cube offline. Online convertion is a very different thing. :) And my engine for cubes is a bit faster and flexible. :)

Actually Immervision and Flash Panorama Player have similar performance as compared to Papervision3D. Papervision3D will never can be as fast as specific cube engines because it's too universal (too many overhead charges).

[panocanarias]

Denis: I remind you that separate cube faces still provide the best quality and performance for panorama player. Also cube faces do not take an additional time and memory for online conversion.
Denis, what about stripes?
Compared to cubes or equis:
how do stripes perform in respect to speed and quality?
I'm going to redesign my site and still thinking about formats which can "feed" various players.
Saludos,
Klaus

Edit:
Noticed some visits on my site after posting.
Forgott to mention, that I'm still using Pano2QTVR-Flash.
Thinking about change-over to flashpanorama when re-designing my site.

Edit 2 (aug, 22):
Well, finally re-designed my site.
All flash-panos now using Denis' flashpanorama player!

[Denis]

Stripes takes some additional memory (30% more then cubes in the worst case). It can be a problem if you have big stripes with transitional effect and user has only 256Mb of memory...

[eagle claw]

Ok. This is it. The first Flash based equirectangular to cube converter. :)

http://flashpanoramas.com/player/examples/cylTest.swf
(it loads small image 1200x600 by default)

Use it like this to test big image performance:
http://flashpanoramas.com/player/examples/cylTest.swf?file=images/djbig.jpg&
(6000x3000)

2All: Now tell me, would this feature be useful? Is so, I will add it to the next version (2.2) as a separate plugin. What default segments and sharpness are ok for you?

I remind you that separate cube faces still provide the best quality and performance for panorama player. Also cube faces do not take an additional time and memory for online conversion. I.e. offline equirectangular to cube converters will be the best choice anyhow.

Yes, cylinder projections will be supported as well so cylinders are only particular cases of equirectangular projection.

:cool: Hi. question i use fisheye images but i can't find a convertor to make them 6 cubic faces. can you help me? or do you know someone who can?

[clodomi]

Hello
Do you have only one fisheye image, or do you stitche two or more fisheye images to make a full 360° panorama?
I you make full 360° panorama for example, I use the software "Stitcher" to convert them in 6 faces cube images, or also PhotoWarp (more chiper).

[virtualhomes]

Hi Denis, have you made a decision to add "The first Flash based equirectangular to cube converter" into the next version 2.2? if so i am very excited about the prospects of doing equirectangular images within your software!!!