Doug Aurand's blog

I stumbled on a set of sample source images that were like part of what I was suggesting as a Camera/Lens/Rotator Library for IVRPA.org

This link downloads the source photos for a virtual image taken with a Nikon D200, Nikkor 10.5mm lens on a 360Precision rotator.

http://www.360precision.com/360/downloads/d200/d200_jpeg_1.zip

I tried out the 7 photos (6 around and a zenith shot) in both PTGui and RealViz Stitcher. Both stitched them into Equirec Projection perfectly.

Video is the Competition
In recent conversations and e-mails, some feel that Video on the Web will replace Virtual Imaging. One of the conversations was even with an IVRPA member.

The reason Video has made huge inroads into the Internet is more bandwidth. Video display size has grown from postage-stamp size 160x120 pixels to 320x240 in most cases. The compression algorithms have gotten better, producing sharper images too.

Then came all the hype about YouTube. Google and Yahoo got on board with their Video Search capabilities.

The 2 fisheye capture method used for the iPIX and other software gets the best balance of lighing on each hemisphere by "splitting the light source."

This means the seam will pass through a bright window, or outdoors, the sun. The Nikon FC-E8 fisheye lens converter is especially prone to have a lens flare opposite the light source. The FC-E9 almost never has it.

I came up with a fast and easy way to remove these lens flares.

Take a look in the Members Only Forum

Douglas Aurand
Albuquerque, NM

I wanted to suggest an ongoing theme for posting in the Members Only forum of Tips, Tricks & Techniques that we each have kearned of figured out to improve our work.

When I arrive at the home page I notice there are 3-5 members and 15-20 visitors. I'm guessing the visitors are looking to find out more about virtual imaging but haven't found a reason to join.

Lets give them a reason by posting some of the methods we use to get better results; just listing the Tip or Trick in our own Blogs that the general public can read and explaining it in the Members Only forum.

Many of us who use iPIX have never understood why users of other virtual image software hate iPIX so much. Many of those users are rejoicing in the demise of iPIX Corporation.

The Patent Itself
The anger was always centered on the patent of a 2 fisheye capture method. That iPIX was granted the patent isn’t in dispute, it was granted by the US Patent Office. Many think it should not have been granted, but of those who have posted opinions on the ‘Net, none that I’ve read said they were attorneys, let alone patent attorneys.