A Stitch in Time Saves... err... Photoshopping
Krish Raghav -
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 3:34 PM
The rather grimly named Microsoft Research Image Composite Editor is a neat, fun little tool that stitches together several images to form a single panorama.Sort of like Photosynth, but without all the cumbersome installs and long loading times.
All you need is a digital camera, the 3 mb download from here, and a panaroma to panaromise.
The process is quite simple. Pick a nice spot as your centre, then click a series of shots, keeping the camera at the same setting, same zoom level. Consistent lighting across shots also makes for better stitches.
As an example, I chose this vista-esque view of..err...some rectangular building.
Next, start up ICE, and drag the three images in (drag them together) - let the program work out the math, and gaze with wonder at your successful attempt at reconstructive photography!
Granted, thats a simple example, but reports from around the web indicate quite a high degree of accuracy. The program works quite well with indoor environments, provided lighting doesn't wary wildly between photos. Outdoors, its nearly perfect with the right set of images.
A number of other photo-stitching programs already exist, listed over at Lifehacker, but ICE is a nifty, easy to use tool that requires little to no intervention from your side.
Not recommended, however, is attempting to stitch together partial photos of people. Stitch lines are rarely flattering, and often grisly
[Note: Installation may require a download of the .NET Framework]
P.S: Brownie points to anyone who attempts a 360 degree panaroma and lives to comment about it!