The 0-360 UnWrapperª   (v1.6)

 

The 0-360 UnWrapperª was designed to be a simple, yet powerful program for processing images from the 0-360 Panoramic Opticª. This stand alone application will run on Windows¨ based machines or Apple Macintosh with Mac OS X 10.2 and later OS.

 

Quick Start

To begin, simply open the program, and follow the instructions given.

NOTE: Before you begin, you should already have transferred the image files from your camera to the computer. Please consult your camera's Owner's Manual for instructions on transferring the image(s). Usually, it is as simple as connecting the camera via the USB cable, and following the on-screen instructions.

 

HINT: It may help to create a new folder in a convenient location, and then transfer the images to that folder. Creating a new folder for each set of images will help keep the images conveniently cataloged.

 

Step 1 - Select image file from 0-360 Panoramic Opticª

HINT: For best viewing, before you begin, resize the 0-360 UnWrapper window to full-screen size.

To Begin, click the "Browse" button and locate the image file you wish to process. The 0-360 UnWrapper processes JPEG, BMP, XIF, and uncompressed TIFF images. Other formats may not appear in the Open window.

 

Step 2 - Select Image Center

Using the mouse, click on the image and drag until the circles are centered inside the image of the mirror. Adjust the sizes of the circles by clicking and dragging on any of the circles' handles. For fine adjustment of the circles' center, use the Arrow keys on your keyboard. An accurately chosen Image center is important for proper Image UnWrapping.

The inner circle should outline the inner black circle (mirror support rod), and the outer circle should locate the outer edge of the mirror, just inside the black outer area.

 

Zoom in or out by changing the Image Zoom values at the bottom left corner of the screen.

 

The UnWrapper will automatically remember your circles' positions, so that they will be in the same positions when you process the next image(s).

 

Use Circles to Center and Crop Image. (recommended) - By checking this option, the circles help locate the center of the Image, and also determine where the image will be cropped. With this option, the UnWrapper will skip Step 3.

 

Use Circles to Center and Crop Outer Image. View UnWrapped Image to Crop Center. - By checking this option, the circles help locate the center of the image, and Crop the outside of the image only. The UnWrapper will allow you to view and further crop the unwrapped Image on the next screen, Step 3.

 

Press "Next" when finished.

 

Step 3 - Crop Image

Click and Drag on the horizontal lines to crop the image to the area of the image you wish to retain. The areas above the top line and below the bottom line will be deleted.

Zoom in or out by changing the Image Zoom values at the bottom left corner of the screen

 

Press "Next" when finished.

 

Step 4 - Adjust Image

HINT: The processing will be fastest with an Image Zoom (bottom left corner of screen) of 25%. Larger previews will take longer to redraw. Zoom in or out by changing the Image Zoom values at the bottom left corner of the screen.

HINT: For best results, learn to use the Levels adjustments in the Advanced section, and skip the Basic section. Levels give you much more control over the image brightness, contrast, and tonal range.

 

 

Hue - Changes the color tone of the Image, from more green to more red.

 

Saturation - Changes the intensity of the colors in the Image.

Basic

 

Brightness - Lightens or darkens every pixel in Image.

 

Contrast - Increases or decreases the brightness of adjacent pixels. Increasing Contrast darkens pixels which are darker than the Mid Point, and lightens pixels which are lighter then the Mid Point. Decreasing Contrast lightens pixels which are darker than the Mid Point, and darkens pixels which are lighter than the Mid Point. Too much Contrast makes the Image harsh, while too little Contrast makes the Image muddy or washed out.

 

Click and Drag the sliders to adjust the Image Hue, Saturation, Brightness, and Contrast. Alternatively, you may enter numerical values directly in each control's value box.

 

 

HINT: For best results, do not adjust Brightness, but set the Black Point, Mid Point, and White Point individually in the Advanced Section (below).

 

HINT: Setting Black Point, Mid Point, and White Point (see Advanced Section below), is a better way to achieve proper Image Contrast. Contrast adjustment is normally not needed.

 

Advanced

Click and Drag the sliders to adjust the Image Hue, Saturation, Black Point, Mid Point, and White Point.

 

Levels - The most important adjustments for improving Image appearance. With a little practice and experimentation, you will be able to improve almost any image.

 

Explanation: Every pixel in the image has a luminance (brightness) value of 0 to 255, 0 being pure black, and 255 being pure white. By adjusting the Black, Mid and White Points, you can enhance the Image's Shadows, Highlights, and Midtones, and increase the tonal range of the Image. For most images, having black Blacks, white Whites, and bright Midtones will produce a final Image with a nice tonal range and contrast.

A graph of the pixel Levels in the image, called a Histogram, is shown for assistance in analyizing the Image and setting the Levels.

 

 

Black Point - Determines which pixels values in the Image will appear as pure black.

HINT: For most Images, move the Black Point slider to just inside the lefthand pixels in the Histogram. This will set the darkest pixels in the Image to Black, thereby increasing the Image's Contrast.

 

White Point - Determines which pixels values in the Image will appear as pure white.

HINT: For most Images, move the White Point slider to just inside the righthand pixels in the Histogram. This will set the lightest pixels in the Image to pure White, thereby increasing the Image's Contrast.

 

Mid Point - Lightens or darkens the Midtones of the Image. Moving the slider to the left will brighten the Midtones, while moving it to the right will darken the Midtones.

HINT: Set the Black and White Points first. The Mid Point will automatically adjust to the center value (This is represented by a 1.00 value). Then, adjust the Mid Point as desired.

Zoom in or out by changing the Image Zoom values at the bottom left corner of the screen.

 

Press "Next" when finished.