Panorama Software - Panoweaver 5.00 Get HDR Image

Bracket Exposure

When camera's auto metering system cannot calculate Exposure Value (EV) correctly, you may shoot several images (3 images are recommended). Set a "camera estimated" correct exposure value 0 EV and take the first image. Then take a second and third image at +2EV (over exposed) and -2EV (underexposed). From these images you may choose one with the best exposure effect. Panoweaver 5.00 just takes advantage of the bracket exposure. At each direction, you may shoot several images with predefined exposure values, and then place images with the same exposure value into the same group to stitch them; finally, you may combine the stitched panoramic images to create HDR images.

Import Bracket Exposure Images

How to View Image

Stitch Multiple Panoramic Image

Create HDR Image

Save HDR Image

HDR Image to LDR Image

To start Bracket Exposure function, choose File>Open Images or click on toolbar, select Bracket Exposure in the pop-up window. Select exposure times in drop down list (other settings are the same as Import Fisheye Image). In thumbnail show area, images with the same exposure value list in the same line, images of the same scene list in the same column. Finally click Open.

Note: Please make sure the image format is JPEG; otherwise you cannot use bracket exposure.

How to Edit Exif information?

You may view and modify aperture, shutter and exposure compensation value in Exif window. Click Exif in above picture and the following window will pop up.

Click table cell and the figure will become editable. You may enter a value directly or click the arrow of the drop down list to select one.

Note: File name (image name) cannot be edited.

Note: Images in the same group should have same parameters.

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After importing images of bracket exposure, Image List will show a group of fisheye images with the same exposure value. Click to switch image groups with different exposure value.

After stitching, thumbnails of each group of panorama will appear at the bottom of image list. Right click in this area, and the following menu will pop up, and you may select different exposure values.

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1. Select a group of fisheye images with proper exposure value to set fisheye enclosing, size, matching points, etc. Panoweaver will apply these settings to other groups automatically.

2. Click Pre-stitch. When pre-stitching, Panoweaver will only stitch current images. Usually to chooses images of proper exposure value to stitch.

3. If you are satisfied with pre-stitching result, click Stitch to stitch all groups of images.

Tip: You may save the panoramic image after stitching it. Choose File>Save Panoramic Image or click on toolbar, and then Save Panoramic Image window pops up. If you select Save current panoramic image in drop down list, only the current panoramic image will be saved. If you select Save all panoramic images, all panoramic images will be saved. Panoweaver will establish a new folder with the same name as the image in the output destination, and then save all panoramic images in it. Other settings are the same as Save Panoramic Images.

Tip: After saving multiple panoramic images to local, you may re-import them into Panoweaver 5.00 to create an HDR. Please refer to Re-import retouched panoramic image in Help Topics for details.

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After stitching each group of images, choose Image>Create HDR Image or use shortcut Ctrl + H to combine multiple panoramic images into HDR image. Before combining, you need to check if Exif information of each panoramic image is complete and to specify the camera response curve.

Exposure:

Select a file in File name to preview the image at the left side.

Camera Response Curve:

You have to select or generate one camera response curve before stitching HDR image (Camera response curve refers to light inductor's response to light with different intensity).

If you select Use existing camera response curve, please use the specified value in drop down list to stitch HDR image.

If you select Calculate camera response curve, the system will calculate curve value before stitching HDR image. You may save this curve value by selecting Save Curve and specify its name in Curve Name. Once the curve value is saved, next time you may use it directly from the drop down list below Use existing camera response curve.

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The combined HDR shows in HDR to LDR window as below. You may save the HDR to local. Select 32bit (HDRI) from the Combobox, then click Save.

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The combined HDR shows in HDR to LDR window as below. You may also select 8bit (LDR) option to convert HDR to LDR. Drag the slider to adjust the effect. Click Apply button, and then the 8bit image will show in the main window.

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