PanoModules Base — Quick Start Guide—
PanoModules Base is a foundational software/hardware component designed to simplify panoramic imaging workflows. This quick start guide walks you through what PanoModules Base is, how to install and configure it, essential features you should know, and tips for getting high-quality panoramas efficiently. Whether you’re a photographer, VR content creator, or developer integrating panoramic workflows into your projects, this guide will help you get up and running.
What is PanoModules Base?
PanoModules Base is a core module that provides the basic functionality required for capturing, processing, and exporting panoramic images and related metadata. It often serves as the groundwork for more specialized modules (stitching, HDR, geo-tagging, and plugin integrations). Key roles include managing capture sequences, organizing image sets, providing calibration tools, and exporting standardized panoramas for downstream tools or platforms.
Supported inputs typically include multi-camera rigs, single-camera nodal heads, and spherical camera systems. The module aims to abstract hardware differences so users can focus on capture quality and output consistency.
System Requirements
Minimum recommended system specifications:
- Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit) / macOS 10.15+ / Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+)
- CPU: Quad-core 2.5 GHz or better
- RAM: 16 GB (32 GB recommended for large HDR stacks)
- GPU: Discrete GPU with 4GB VRAM (for accelerated stitching and GPU-based denoising)
- Storage: 100 GB free SSD recommended
- Camera support: USB / Ethernet / SD card workflows
Installation and Initial Setup
- Download and install the PanoModules Base installer from the official provider. Run the installer and follow on-screen prompts.
- Launch PanoModules Base and create a new project. Choose an appropriate project folder on fast storage (SSD preferred).
- In Preferences → Capture Devices, add and configure your camera(s) or input method. Specify camera models or use a generic UVC/PTP profile if exact models aren’t listed.
- In Preferences → File Handling, set your default RAW and export formats (e.g., DNG/TIFF for RAW intermediate; JPEG/WebP for quick exports).
- Calibrate your rig if using a multi-camera system: use the Calibration Wizard to input lens parameters, nodal offsets, and rotation axes.
Capture Workflows
Single-camera spherical capture:
- Use a panoramic tripod head (nodding around the no-parallax point) and take overlapping exposures at regular intervals horizontally and vertically.
- For HDR panoramas, bracket exposures (e.g., -2, 0, +2 EV) at each position and import the full sets.
Multi-camera rigs:
- Sync cameras via hardware trigger or network control within PanoModules Base.
- Ensure consistent exposure settings across cameras or use auto-exposure locking where appropriate.
- Use the built-in checklist to confirm battery, storage, and sync status before capture.
360/VR cameras:
- Connect the camera directly and import captured spherical images or video. Use the frame-extraction tool for video-based captures to select optimal frames.
Importing and Organizing Images
- Use the Import dialog to bring images into the project. PanoModules Base automatically groups images by capture sequence, timestamp, and metadata.
- Tag and rate images to keep only the best frames. Use batch rename to keep filenames meaningful (project_scene_angle_exposure).
- For large projects, enable proxy previews to speed up browsing and selection on slower machines.
Calibration and Lens Profiles
- Run the Lens Calibration tool for each lens used. Calibration stores focal length, distortion coefficients, vignetting, and chromatic aberration profiles.
- For zoom lenses, create profiles at the most common focal lengths you’ll use.
- Use the Nodal Offset tool for accurate rotation-center measurements in multi-camera and nodal-head setups.
Stitching and Processing
- Create a new Stitching Job and add the grouped images. Select appropriate projection (e.g., equirectangular for 360°, cylindrical for wide horizontal panoramas).
- Choose alignment settings: automatic feature matching is the default. For difficult scenes, switch to manual control points and refine matches.
- Enable HDR merging if you imported bracketed sets. Choose an HDR engine (internal or external like Photomatix/EXR workflows).
- Preview seams and exposure blending. Use the Seam Painter to adjust mask boundaries and the Feather tool to smooth transitions.
- Run the final stitch. Export intermediate high-bit-depth files (32-bit EXR or 16-bit TIFF) for post-processing if you plan heavy edits.
Post-Processing
- Color and tone mapping: apply local and global adjustments, or export to Photoshop/LR for advanced edits.
- Remove stitching artifacts using the Clone/Heal tools and re-run stitching for sections if necessary.
- Use the Crop and Reproject tools to generate rectilinear or perspective outputs for prints and non-spherical displays.
Exporting and Sharing
- Export formats: equirectangular JPEG/PNG for web, EXR/TIFF for professional workflows, or video outputs for interactive viewers.
- For VR: export in equirectangular 2:1 ratio with appropriate bitrate and color profile (sRGB for web, Rec.709 for video).
- Embed metadata: location (GPS), camera model, stitch parameters, and copyright. Use the Metadata panel to add or batch-apply this information.
Automation and Scripting
- PanoModules Base supports scripting (Python/JS API) for batch stitching, renaming, and export pipelines.
- Example automation tasks: nightly batch stitching, automatic DNG->HDR merging, or integration with cloud upload pipelines.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Ghosting in HDR merges: increase de-ghosting strength or manually align frames before HDR merge.
- Misaligned seams: add more control points in overlapping areas, or use higher-accuracy calibration data.
- Slow performance: enable GPU acceleration, use proxies, or reduce preview resolution.
- Missing cameras: ensure correct drivers, try USB/Ethernet reconnect, and restart the device and PanoModules Base.
Tips for Better Panoramas
- Keep lens and sensor clean. Dust shows up in stitched seams.
- Use consistent exposure across frames when possible. Lock ISO to avoid noise variation.
- Overlap generously (30–50%) between adjacent frames to improve matching.
- For moving subjects, increase bracketing speed or use motion deghosting tools.
Further Learning and Resources
- Official documentation and video tutorials (check the provider’s learning portal).
- Community forums and user groups for rig-specific advice and custom scripts.
- Sample projects: study well-stitched panoramas to learn handling of exposure, lighting, and seams.
If you’d like, I can: provide a sample Python script for batch stitching in PanoModules Base, write step-by-step calibration instructions for a specific rig, or craft a checklist for on-field captures.
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