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 Panorama Studio - another panorama stitching program with a wide span of automatic functions plus access to manual fine tuning. The program can export ready panoramas to both simple image formats and online (Java, QuickTime), can add hot links so useful for online publication and video tours, and can print multi-page panoramas as posters.
We've tested the workflow and results of the program here.
Panorama Studio has usual windows interface. Even the pictograms are in most cases the same as in many Windows applications. This may seem the lack of creativity but helps the user to navigate the program better.
The workflow is not too complex either. You load images, set preferences, and stitch your panorama. In case the result does not satisfy you, there's possibility to correct a lot of things manually. Let's see how it works.
After the images are imported into Panorama Studio you can change their order and rotate them if necessary. Then you set parameters. The main parameter here is Focal Length and the hint at the top of the Dialogue window mentions this. Panorama Studio can define the focal length automatically, estimate it or take it from exif. It also allows you to enter the number manually. I'd say Panorama Studio here covers all possible ways of defining the focal length.
In the same window you are asked to set your camera type, check if any accessory lenses were used, choose projection type, and put the horizon line in its place. The latter is performed visually by moving the red 'horizon' line in the image space.
Apart from Focal length adjustments you can set Panorama Studio to perform Lens and Vignetting adjustments and this, again, can be done with the numbers you enter or automatically.
All parameters set you can start stitching the panorama as the active button on the upper panel suggests (the buttons are inaccessible until you reach the stage then they can be used).
As it is common, the progress bar informs you of what is being done either the images at every moment. Then you see the new panorama and are ready for optimization and fine tuning.
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There are two groups of options for this - Adjust and Optimize. The first group deals with panorama issues - focal length, blending, detail adjustment etc. It's a good arsenal for manual adjustments of any panorama.
Especially the detail editing that I have not encountered yet in panorama makers.
The second group deals with image enhancements - sharpening, levels and curves, exposure. This arsenal lets you have a perfect image without any other image editor.
The export possibilities of the program are also kept on a good level. You can print your panorama (multi sheet printing is supported and you can produce a poster with the panorama), save it for viewing on the web, and also save as image.
There's also an option of inserting hotlinks that are usually very useful for virtual tours.
All in all I should say that Panorama Studio is an excellent panorama maker that successfully combines automatic and manual tools. It perfectly stitches both "ideal" panoramas - shot according to all the clever rules - and shot "from hands". And what is more important, it has tools for correcting the faults of a panorama shot in not so ideal conditions.
Panorama Studio trial can be downloaded at Panorama Studio detail page. The Panorama Studio is also available through MyPhotosoft affiliate program for $ 42,95 (the price may change with the euro/dollar exchange rate).
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