Processing and Stitching

Last updated on 2024-09-03 | Edit this page

Overview

Questions

  • How do we process raw data after spherical panorama photographs have been acquired?

Objectives

  • Explains how to process and stitch spherical panorama photographs by using the Insta360 Pro2 stitching software

Downloading and organising images in the computer

Once the images are acquired they will need to be saved on a local disk to be processed. Each camera has its software to save the images.

In this workshop, we are going to use the Insta360 Pro2 stitching software.

For other types of 360 cameras please follow the specific instructions of each camera. However, it will be usually sufficient to download the images by connecting the camera via USB. Another option is to extract the SD card from the camera and insert it into a card reader of the PC.

Using a suitable name which reflects your project, transfer all images into a folder.

Good practices include:

SH 

ResourceIDifExistent_NameofObject_DateProcessedinFormatYY.MM.DD

Within this folder, create another one named images. Copy the images from the camera into the images folder.

  • Turn on the camera

  • Start by going to the storage device on the camera

  • Connect the camera with the LAN cable to the computer (in case you also need an internet connection on your computer please use your WIFI)

  • Enter the IP address of the camera into your file explorer: 192.168.1.188 (for Mac users go to connect to the server and type 192.168.1.188 then connect as guest and choose pro2)

  • Check that all the files are there

  • Open the Sticher software go to the Cam file manager and click import Method 2

  • Type the IP into the address bar 192.168.1.188

  • Select the SDcard folder

  • Click Import to local drive

  • Select the location above mentioned and import the images


Guidance on how to connect the Insta360 Pro2 camera can be also found in the video tutorial below starting from part 2 at 1.00 min or found in chapter one of the Insta360 Pro2 Manual.

Insta360 Pro 2 Tutorial – Importing Files, under Insta360, via YouTube

Stitching the images

The process of stitching images after acquiring and downloading them to the computer also differs from software to software. Although not compulsory it is a good practice to learn the software that comes with the camera, especially when the camera is a professional one.

The basic steps for stitching the images are:

  • Open the Insta360 Stitcher

  • Drag the folder containing the images to the left window of the interface

  • Adjust the setting on the right side of the interface:

    • Content type: monoscopic
    • Stitching mode: new optical flow
    • Sampling type: fast
    • Blender type: auto
    • Leave the other setting and click Preview Stitching effect
      • Try Zenith optimization at the bottom of the window
      • Drag the image if you want to change the centre viewing point
    • Close the window and go to output settings
      • choose the resolution -choose the output folder (the one you set above)
      • choose the file name and extension (Usually .jpg unless you need an uncompressed file, then choose .tiff)
    • Click stitch now

These instructions can be also found in this video tutorial:

Insta360 Pro 2 Tutorial – Stitching 360 Photos in Stitcher, under Insta360, via YouTube

For the full process, you can also follow the video below.

Using the Insta360 pro 2, under Joseph Farbrook, via YouTube