PTGUI will recognize multi-exposure HDR image sets within a broader set of images and automatically merge them before creating a panorama. While PTGUI’s tools are sufficient for basic HDR work, I find that editing in Photoshop is still required to get the perfect balance of highlights and shadows in my HDR images. It is not a true HDR image because while these files show more highlights and shadows than a typical image (thus why they’re called HDR), these images lack the information that tells a true HDR screen’s back lighting how to locally dim or brighten. With this type of HDR the result is compression of tones in a bitmap such as a JPG. It’s confusing terminology but this is HDR that isn’t true HDR. PTGUI also has a basic method of HDR editing called exposure fusion. However, on Photoshop for Mac, Adobe Camera Raw has a beta version of true HDR exporting. On Windows both Lightroom and Photoshop lack true HDR file editing or exporting. Unfortunately, a specialized screen is required to really see the effects, and while many new devices now support HDR, its still relatively uncommon in the grand scheme of things.Īs of writing PTGUI is fairly unique in offering true HDR output. PTGUI’s true HDR exports produce specialized files that contain information in them for controlling the backlighting in HDR screens. If you aren’t familiar with true HDR it is a method of localized dimming of the rear LED back lighting in compatible computer monitors and devices. PTGUI supports true HDR exports and basic tone mapping for true HDR files. (Ignore the black circle that is my fault for not getting high enough on the top row.)Īs you can see there are lots of creative possibilities for creating unique images with PTGUI. (Ignore the black circle that is my fault for not getting high enough on the top row.) Mercator Transverse Cylindrical (Ignore the black circle that is my fault for not getting high enough on the top row.) Stereographic It offers a range of different projection types, a few are shown below: Rectilinear Cylindrical Equirectangular Circular Fisheye PTGUI will let you make just about any kind of panorama you would want to make for scientific or educational purposes. Photospheres, projections, collages, HDR, & more. PTGUI is efficient and lets you keep multi-tasking if you need to. You generally won’t have to stop using your computer because of excessive resource use. It is a lot faster than Lightroom or Photoshop (Photomerge) at creating large panoramas and seems to use a lot less memory in the process. But when it comes to extremely large Panoramas PTGUI is still my preferred solution. The Panorama stitcher in Lightroom was really slow for a long time, and it has been improved (or my computer has improved?) over the years and is now “passable” for most kinds of panoramas. One of the best things about PTGUI is that it is fast. It’s a high price in today’s world of free everything, but if you love panoramas this is the program for you. You can view a comparison of the two programs here: PTGUI Standard vs Pro. The “pro” version costs a bit more at $305. The software is available to try for free but a full version currently starts at $149. PTGUI is a panorama stitching software that will create a variety of different kinds of panoramas and projections.
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