Classic step 1 – Import the images


After capturing the images you should import them into The Panorama Factory. Create a new Panorama Factory project with the New project command (File menu) and then use the Import images... command (File menu) to read the image files into the project. If all of your images are in the same directory, you can import them all at once by using multiple selection in the Import Images dialog box.  Each imported image appears in the imported thumbnails pane.

If your images appear rotated when you import them, you can select the thumbnails and use the Rotate right 90 command, Rotate left 90 command or Rotate 180 command (Edit menu) to get them rightside up.  If no thumbnails are selected, these buttons rotate the images.

You’ll need to have the images in left-to-right order for stitching.  If, after importing the images, they are in reversed order (right-to-left), select the thumbnails and use the Reverse selected command (Edit menu) to re-order them.  If no thumbnails are selected, this buttons reverses the order of all images.  If the order of your images is mixed up, click-drag the thumbnail images one at a time to rearrange them.

This is a good time to run the Camera properties dialog box to describe the camera you used to capture the images.  See the Camera properties dialog box in Chapter 14, “Dialog boxes” for more information about entering camera parameters.

After you’ve imported all the images, save your project. Saving the project accomplishes two very good things. First, if for any reason your computer crashes or The Panorama Factory exits abnormally, you will not need to repeat this work. Second, whenever you save, The Panorama Factory removes from main memory any images that it can re-read from a disk file. This helps a lot if your machine doesn’t have unlimited RAM. Both of these are good reasons to save your work frequently.

If you are working from scanned photos (negatives, slides or prints), you probably should color correct the imported images and then trim the images before going on to Step 3.  See “Color correct the imported images” and “Trim the images” in Chapter 5, “Extra steps when working from scanned photos.”




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Updated: March 6, 2009