FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

From Autopano

This page is a list of questions and answers of issues for which we are frequently contacted. Please read this page before contacting us.

PRE-SALE QUESTIONS

What are the differences between Autopano Giga and Autopano Pro?

Autopano Pro is an image stitching program, enabling you to create panoramic images up to several gigapixels. It includes:

Automatic detection of panoramas into a folder of photos or a memory card
One-click panorama creation
Automatic color and exposure correction
HDR stitching
Use of the computer's graphical resources to speed up the panorama previews
Use of all the computer's processors to speed up the stitching
Export in JPG, PSD/PSB or TIFF (including layers), PNG, HDR.
Support of motorized panoramic heads, including Gigapan, Merlin and all Papywizard-compatible heads.

Autopano Giga is an image-stitching program with very advanced capabilities. It includes:

All Autopano Pro's features
Exclusive virtual tour creation system, to create complete virtual tours in Flash format without programming skills
Support of Clauss Rodeon panoramic heads
Creation of templates to make similar stitchings easier
Workspace saving.

Read the comparison table of Autopano Pro and Autopano Giga

How do I get a full copy of Autopano Giga or Autopano Pro?

1. Download Autopano and install it.
2. Create an account on our online shop and buy a registration code.
3. You receive the code by e-mail. Copy and paste it in Autopano as mentioned here.

You're done!

How much is the program in US Dollars?

We are based in France and we sell in Euros, but you can buy our software and products wherever you are. For example, if you live in the United States, your bank will debit your account in US dollars and will pay us in euros.

Autopano Pro costs 99 euros, which is about $139 (exchange rate as of July 1st, 2009). Estimate Autopano Pro price based on today's exchange rates.
Autopano Giga costs 199 euros, which is about $280 (exchange rate as of July 1st, 2009). Estimate Autopano Giga price based on today's exchange rates.

Bank commissions may apply (generally less than $5).

How much is the program in my currency?

To have the latest exchange rates, we advice you to convert the price in Euros into the price in your currency, using a service like Yahoo Currency Converter. Autopano Giga is 199 euros and Autopano Pro is 99 euros.

Do I have to pay the VAT?

All prices are displayed excluding tax. We apply the French VAT (value added tax) of 19.6%. The VAT applies depending on your country of residence:

You DON'T pay the VAT if:
- You live outside the European Union
- Or if you are a European company with a VAT-ID.

You need to pay the VAT if:
- You are an individual living in the European Union
- Or if you are a French company.

In your basket, the VAT appears until you log in and fill in your address of residence. It is then kept or removed depending on your address.

Which operating systems are supported?

Autopano is multi platform software. It can run on:

Microsoft Windows 7, Vista, XP or 2000
Apple Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, 10.5 Leopard or 10.4 Tiger with Intel-based processor. If you have an older Mac with a PowerPc processor, please contact us so we can propose you the previous version of our software.
Linux kernel 2.4 or more

What is the recommended configuration?

To run Autopano correctly, your computer should have at least:

Processor: 1 Ghz
RAM: 2 GB
Display: 1024 x 768 minimum

You can give it a try to know if the program runs well on your computer.

Can I test the program before buying it?

Yes: we encourage you to download the trial version. It will let you try all features, with the following limitations:

Rendered images have a watermark
Projects files (.pano) cannot be saved
Export to Panotools is limited (only the first image pair will be exported with all control points)

These are the only 3 limitations; the rest of the software is fully functional. You can use the trial version as long as you want to evaluate the program.

How to get a CD-ROM of Autopano?

Autopano is sold as a downloadable application. We do not sell a boxed version. This system avoids unnecessary costs both for you and for us, and enables you to always download the latest version of Autopano.

However, if you need to burn a CD-ROM of Autopano Pro, we prepared a CD image file which is ready to burn. It contains the latest version of Autopano Pro and videos from the online documentation. The ISO file is to download on the bottom of the download page.

Can I install Autopano on several computers?

The license of Autopano Pro and Autopano Giga is attached to the user, not to the computer. So, if you need to install Autopano Pro on several computers, you can do it with the same registration key, insofar as you are the only user of Autopano Pro or Autopano Giga on these computers. If several persons will use Autopano on their computer, you need to acquire as many licenses as the number of persons.

If I change my computer or my operating system, can I still use Autopano?

Yes. You just need to download and reinstall Autopano, and use the registration key you received when you purchased Autopano. If you lost that registration key, you can retrieve it at any time on your Account.

If you change your operating system (for example, if you move from Windows to Mac Os), you can use the same registration key. When you buy the program, you are asked to specify your operating system only for statistic reasons.

Do you provide a technical support?

Of course. We propose several types of support:

The Support & Learning Center lets you watch video tutorials, read the full documentation of Autopano and read the frequently asked questions.
The Support Forums let you review questions and answers posted by Autopano users. You can also post your questions if you find they have not been dealt with yet.
A Contact form let you ask us your questions directly. Please always review the options above before contacting us.

INSTALLATION / REGISTRATION

How to install and register the software?

After purchasing a software license, you receive a registration code that enables you to unlock the demonstration version. Follow this procedure to register your software.

I didn't receive my registration code, why?

After purchasing Autopano on our online shop, you should receive very shortly the registration code via e-mail. If you don't receive the e-mail, it is likely because it was wrongly detected as a Spam or junk mail by your mail program or your Internet Service Provider. Please check your junk mail filter, your Spam folder and the Spam settings of your Internet Service Provider.

If you have a Spam folder or a junk mail folder, check for a mail from Kolor Team or with the object Kolor Store: Your Invoice 2000XXXX - Order 2000XXXX.

Add these e-mail addresses in your contacts to avoid them to be detected as Spam :

If you did not find any message from us in your Spam or junk mail folder, please contact us, but use another e-mail account otherwise you may not receive our reply either.

If, after sending this e-mail, you do not receive a reply from us within a week, it means that our reply was also rejected by your ISP or mail program. In this case, please send us your telephone number so that we can call you and fix your problem.

My registration code does not work, why?

Autopano Pro asks for your user e-mail and your registration code. Be sure to type them exactly as mentioned in your order confirmation e-mail.

To be sure to enter the correct registration code, copy it from the e-mail you received from us, and paste it in Autopano Pro. If you prefer to type it manually, be careful with the letters and numbers like I, 1, L, etc. which can be confusing.

Also, make sure not to confound the registration code of version 1.3, the one of version 1.4, and the one of version 2.0. You may receive several registration codes when you buy Autopano. You need to use the registration code of the version you installed on your computer.

You can verify all your registration details in your user account, in the Orders section, by clicking on your order of Autopano.

I lost my registration code; how to get it back?

Log into your user account and you will find all your registration details in the Orders section, by clicking on your order of Autopano.

I cannot log into my user account, what should I do?

If you lost your password, please use this form to get your password back via e-mail.

If you lost your password and if you also changed your e-mail address, please contact us.

How can I change my e-mail address?

In your user account, you can modify your e-mail address by yourself.

How to install Autopano on a Mac computer?

When you download Autopano, you actually download a virtual disk containing the software. Virtual disks are unmounted from the desktop at each reboot. To install Autopano permanently on your Mac, you need to drag and drop the software icon to your 'Applications' folder. Beware not to confuse the software icon with the one of the virtual disk located on the desktop. You need to open the virtual disk and drag and drop the icon which is into it to the 'Applications' folder. This icon is on a background showing a panoramic image.

How do I uninstall Autopano?

On Microsoft Windows: go to All the programs, then Autopano Giga or Autopano Pro and click on Uninstall

On Apple Mac OS: delete Autopano Giga or Autopano Pro directly from your Applications folder and delete the com.kolor.Autopano.plist file located in the Library/Preferences folder.

AUTOPANO'S FEATURES

How to create a virtual tour with Autopano Pro or Autopano Giga?

Autopano Pro and Autopano Giga let you stitch images to create panoramas, including 360x180° panoramas. To create a virtual tour, you need to use Autopano Tour, included in Autopano Giga. Autopano Tour is an exclusive virtual tour creation tool in Flash format, enabling you to create complete and customized virtual tours including several views, all through a graphical interface and without need of programming skills.

What are the differences between Autopano Pro or Giga and the free Autopano v1.03?

Autopano v1.03 is a free extension for Panotools. It generates controls points but does not perform any of the other steps required to obtain a panorama (optimization, color correction, projection and blending). The SIFT algorithm used in this extension was written after a quick overview of the original publication.

Autopano Pro and Autopano Giga use a professional license of the SIFT algorithm written by Dr Lowe, the algorithm creator himself. This is why the SIFT algorithm used in Autopano Pro is in many way superior to the one used in Autopano v1.03.

Autopano Pro is also a complete solution managing all aspects involved in panorama creation. It’s a standalone piece of software, allowing the easy creation of panoramas, from A to Z. Autopano Giga also enables you to create professional virtual tour very easily.

What are the differences between Autopano Pro or Giga and AutoStitch?

Even though Autopano is based on a license including AutoStitch, the two programs are very different. In fact, only one common point remains between them: the SIFT algorithm for control points detection. All other algorithms were recreated or improved.

higher detection quality,
better repartition of the control points,
exclusive color correction system,
lens distortion correction not present in AutoStitch,
HDR support,
Fisheye lenses support,
numerous input/output formats supported, etc.

Assembling the same group of source images with the two programs will give you an idea of the progresses introduced in Autopano Pro.

What are the differences between Autopano and Panotools?

We kept and will keep compatibility between our products and Panotools. Both solutions are offering interesting functionalities and we think that keeping import/export routines to and from Panotools can benefit to both solutions.

Autopano Pro versus Adobe Photoshop CS3?

If we had to make a comparison chart between Photoshop CS3 panorama ability and Autopano Pro, it would be all about control:

- In CS3, you don't have control of final panorama look (to straighten building for example along a panorama). In Autopano Pro, you have full control over it: How to straighten a panorama

- The Autoblend feature in CS3 has a big issue, it does only correct color difference on the pixels that are visible. So if you paint into a mask created by Autoblend to reveal or hide some parts of the panorama (for moving object for example), it's just useless because the pixel doesn't have the right color. You cannot use this. In Autopano Pro, every part of every picture even if not used, is color corrected to allow you to use it if you need it. Here's how to edit in Photoshop an Autopano Pro panorama : Photoshop Layer Edition

Autoblend feature is not quite as good as our equivalent blender, Smartblend. You can see a quick review here : Autoblend, Smartblend, Enblend

- Color correction. CS3 has one, but it's a hack, not the real solution. We solve the real equation and it really does the difference. So we can provide you a real HDR stitcher. You can see our color correction system here : http://en.wiki.autopano.net/Color_and_Brightness

Does Autopano support fisheye lenses?

Fisheye lenses are supported by Autopano (since version 1.4). A fisheye lens enables you to make less shots to create a full 180° or 360° panorama. It is a great advantage for the production of virtual tours, for instance. Our solutions can deal with all fisheye types – full-frame, circular fisheye on reflex camera, or digital camera fisheye accessories. Results are obtained in the same way, and just as simply as with a standard lens.

What file formats are supported for input?

List of the supported file formats

The recommended file formats for panorama stitching are those used by digital cameras.

JPEG – No particular comment on this file format.
TIFF - 8 or 16bits, the file must not contain an alpha channel.
PNG - 8 or 16bits, the file must not contain an alpha channel.
RAW files – This generic raw term, is used to designate "raw sensor data" files of each camera brand (or one model of a brand), it can be NEF for Nikon, CRW or CR2 for Canon, etc.

At the current time Autopano Pro supports the following RAW formats: CRW, CR2, RAF, NEF, SRF, SR2, ORF, MRW, PEF.

DNG - The Digital Negative format from Adobe allowing to store any raw file in a unified raw format.
HDR - The radiance format is supported and allows to stitch HDR panoramas from HDR source images.

But that’s not all! The complete list is given here: Complete list of supported file formats All formats containing at least three channels (R,G,B) with a minimum of 8bits are supported. Be aware that formats containing an alpha channel are not supported.

EXIF Data

The "EXIF data" contain numerous information regarding shooting parameters. You can refer to the EXIF data definition provided on the following web-site: EXIF Definition

Autopano Pro analyzes the EXIF data to extract several pieces of information:

The lens focal length. This parameter speeds up the stitching process. When Autopano Pro cannot retrieve the focal length, it assumes that a "standard" lens (50mm in 35mm format) was used.
Be aware that Autopano Pro calculations are based on a 35mm equivalent. In order to calculate the 35mm equivalent of the focal length stored in the EXIF data, it is necessary to know the size ratio between the sensor used for capture and a 35mm sized sensor. A complete table is given in the cameras.txt file located in the resources folder of the Autopano Pro installation folder.
See the page describing the cameras.txt file
Shutter speed and aperture. These two bits of information are mandatory for the HDR mode (if they are not included in the file, the HDR option is disabled in Autopano Pro).
Other information are retrieved, like the date and time of capture in order to sort the source images in groups, or the ISO value, even if not used at the present time this information is valuable.

Regarding the cameras.txt file, it is possible that some errors remain in this file. If after loading a source image in a group, the focal displayed is obviously wrong, you can be sure that there is an error in the cameras.txt file. In the same way, if the software does not correctly decode the EXIF data even though they are present in the image file, it is because the model of the camera used for capture isn’t currently included in the cameras.txt file. In such a case do not hesitate to send us the problematic image file so we can rapidly correct the cameras.txt file and include support for your camera in the software.

TECHNICAL ADVICE

How to save a panorama as a .JPG or .TIFF file?

You should distinguish 2 concepts:

Project saving : Saving a project means saving all parameters that permitted the stitching, and all modifications you made. This is helpful if you want to get back to the project at a later moment. To save the project, click on in Autopano Pro. The file created has the type .pano. Find out more about saving project files.
Project rendering : Rendering a project means launching the final stitching and saving the resulting file as an image of one of these types: .JPG, .TIFF, .PNG, .HDR or multilayered .PSD. To render the project, click on this icon in the program: . Find out more about the render settings.

What hardware should I use to create virtual tours?

If you really want to create profesionnal virtual tours, you need a DSLR camera (even a basic one) with a fisheye lens. The fisheye lens will help you a lot, because you can shoot the whole sphere with about 6 to 7 images, whereas you need at least 15 to 20 images with a regular lens.

With a fisheye lens, you can shoot for instance 5 images horizontally, then the image of the ceiling (called zenith image) and the image of the floor (called nadir image). Some photographers don't shoot the nadir, but prefer to incline the camera 15° towards the floor to shoot the horizontal line, then a photo of the zenith. Then, retouch quickly in the very small remaining empty zone.

Which programs support TIFF files from Autopano?

Autopano Pro can render TIFF images with several options: 8 or 16 bits, integrated layers or not.

16-bits TIFF files cannot be opened by LightZone, RawTherapee, FastStone Viewer.
Adobe Photoshop can open all types of TIFF from Autopano, but it opens them as a single layer file, even if it is a multilayer file. Use Gimp to open multilayer TIFF files.

Should I pre-process the RAW files?

This will depend on the panorama:

If the panorama was entirely shot in manual mode and the shooting parameters did not vary during the whole capture time, it is then best to pre-process the raw files outside of Autopano Pro. The raw processing programs will eventually give better results than our software, as its primary purpose is image stitching and not raw processing. In such a case you should be cautious and make sure that the raw processing parameters do not change from one source image to another, if you do not follow this guideline all benefits from using an external raw processing program will be lost.
- In Camera Raw, all the following must be disabled:
  - Exposure: auto
  - Shadows: auto
  - Brightness: auto
  - Contrast: auto

If the panorama contains bracketed images, or if the shooting parameters changed during capture, it is the better to let Autopano Pro process the raw files.

If the panorama is assembled from a lot of sources images (> 100 images), Autopano Pro can take a long time to process the raw files, and it will do it every time the corresponding .pano project file is loaded. In such a case, it can be a good idea to pre-process the raw files and export them in a 16bits file format, making sure the processing parameters are the same for all images, to speed up the loading of the .pano file in case you often come back to it.

Which processing tasks must be performed before Autopano Pro and which ones must be performed after?

Not an easy question :-) Here is an answer given regarding a debate on DxO.

DxO

DxO does things that Autopano Pro doesn’t (yet…) : chromatic aberrations, noise, etc. But there are things it’d better leave alone: Lens distortion correction, D-Lighting.

Uncertainties

Lens distortion: The algorithm used by DxO is based on lab measures of the average image distortion for a given camera/lens couple at a given focal length. By reading the EXIF data, DxO will then correct the image based on the distortion he knows is produced at this particular focal length for this particular camera/lens couple. 2 problems:

No lens is exactly identical to another. A friend of mine who owns a lens testing equipment often mentions it to me. So, even though we can perform a average distribution of the distortion produced by a given model of lens, it is possible that the one you own is not located in the center of the Gaussian scale (if it is located on the good side, on the very good side, then you should keep it).
The relation between focal length and distortion can be greater with some zooms. The problem is that the focal length is not accurately recorded in the EXIF data, it’s what we call a discrete value. On my Sigma 17-35mm I get the following values: 17, 19, 21, 23, 28, 35 (6 values and nothing in between). How do we do then?

So why does Autopano Pro obviously do a better job?

When looking at two images the resulting knowledge is greater than the sum of the information of the individual images taken separately.

Let’s illustrate this concept with a metaphor:

Sentence 1: "The average temperature in Marseille is 22°C over the year". This sentence contains one bit of information.
Sentence 2: "The average temperature in Paris is 18°C over the year". This sentence also contains one bit of information.

Now let’s combine everything in the same sentence:

Sentence 3: "The average temperature in Marseille is 22°C over the year, while it is 18°C in Paris". The two bits of information of the original sentences are present, but much more is now available. We can deduct that the climate is warmer in Marseille than in Paris. We can see that the difference is exactly 4°C. Marseille must be located south of Paris, etc. By putting two bits of isolated information together we can deduce information that did not exist at first!

It’s the same for image assembling. I can get a lot more information when I get a match/stitch than before. When analyzing the pixels contained in the overlapping area between two images we can calculate:

the exact focal length: all is needed is to relate pixels to each other.
distortion: same as above.
by measuring the brightness changes between some pixels of both images representing the same thing (same object, same sky, etc.) we can recalculate the sensor response curve, the white balance, and much more.

The resulting accuracy of this approach is far greater than with any other method. For distortion correction, when I can estimate that DxO can generate a 15% or 20% accuracy because of all the uncertainties given above, Autopano Pro can easily fall under 1% as we produce hundreds of constraints for a few unknowns by relating images to each other.

The focal length is a special case. We can obtain a decent accuracy starting with 2 images, but only an excellent accuracy when we “close” the panorama (i.e. the panorama covers 360° and the last image of a row “plugs” onto the first image of the same row).

Another note: since the distortion is calculated for each panorama it is possible to apply more or less correction for each particular case. This is exactly what Autopano Pro is doing. If some more correction is needed on the lens to render a particular panorama Autopano Pro will do it. There is no way to achieve this with DxO.

Last note: This might be an advantage of DxO, and since they do not communicate on what they are really doing in the software, I can’t really tell. The lens model: they are numerous ranging from very simple ones to very complicated ones. Autopano Pro is using a standard model, maybe DxO uses a better model (or the same), I don't know.

Interpolators and Blenders: which options to choose?

Refer to this document to understand the differences: Interpolation and blenders