In this series of lessons, we’ll learn how to use Stitcher to create panoramic images. Stitcher comes with many tools built to make the panorama creation process hassle-free. In only a few minutes, we will be able to take fisheye photographs and render a seamless 360 degree panorama. We’ll begin this project by learning how to import, stitch, and render images in the user interface. From there, we will learn the various settings we have to control our render quality and how to get the best possible output. Next we’ll learn about the editing tools of Stitcher, such as Manual Stitch, Alignment, Stencils, PSD Stencils and Custom Nadir. We will also learn how to create High Dynamic Range panoramas. We’ll end by learning how we can use the advanced output features of QuickTime VR in Stitcher to create virtual tours and links between QuickTime panorama movies. This series of lessons will illustrate how Stitcher can be used to quickly create large-dimension images and cylindrical, cubical, or spherical panoramas.

Lesson Outline

Introduction and Project Overview
In this lesson we will learn the topics and techniques we will learn in this project

Moving around the Stitcher interface and importing images
In this lesson we will learn how to import images and stitch them together using autostich. We will also learn how to move around our stitcher window.

Rendering images out of Stitcher
In this lesson we will learn how to preview and set the render area in Stitcher

The Various Image Output Types in Stitcher
"In this lesson we will learn about the uses and look of the Cylindrical, Cubical and Spherical panorama types"

Increasing the render quality with the Blending Method
In this lesson we will learn about the various blending methods and the best method to use when rendering

Comparison of various Sharpening Types
In this lesson we will learn about the various sharpening options and how to decide which to use

Comparison of various Interpolation Types

In this lesson we will learn about the various interpolation types and how to decide which to use

Using Manual Stitch to fix failed Autostitches
In this lesson we will learn how to use the Manual Stitch feature to stitch images that the autostitcher can't recognize

Using Manual Alignment to set the Horizon of our stitch
In this lesson we will learn how to set the Horizon using horizontal and vertical manual alignment

Using Stencils to remove or preserve parts of our stitch
In this lesson we will learn about the various stencil types and how to use them to influence our blend of images

Moving between Stitcher and external image editors
In this lesson we will learn how to set an external image editing application and how to seamlessly move between Stitcher and Photoshop

Using PSD Stencils to create stencils and partial blends
In this lesson we will learn how to use the PSD stencil system to leverage Photoshop's image manipulation tools to create stencils

Various methods of finding stitches in the Stitcher window
In this lesson we will learn a few tips and tricks to finding stitches if we lose track of them in the stitcher window

Creating a cylindrical panorama using Fisheye photos
In this lesson we will learn how to work with Fisheye photos and create a cylindrical panorama

Using Nadir and Creating a custom ground in Stitcher
In this lesson we will learn how to use the Nadir feature to add a ground plane and how to stitch together our own custom ground plane

Add stencils to the custom ground and rendering our sphere
In this lesson we will learn how to finish our ground plane and render out a seamless spherical panorama

Setting up an HDR cylindrical panorama in Stitcher
In this lesson we will learn how to create HDR stacks and combine regular photos to create an HDR panorama in Stitcher

Rendering and Viewing HDR Panoramas in Stitcher
In this lesson we will learn how to render our HDR panorama and view the various exposures in Photoshop

Creating a camera animation and rendering a movie
In this lesson we will learn how to use the camera animation tools in Stitcher to create an animation and render it as a movie file

Basics of outputting a QuickTime VR movie in Stitcher
In this lesson we will learn how to output a QuickTime VR file so we can view our entire panorama outside Stitcher

Creating High-Quality QTVR Movies with Smart Blend
In this lesson we will learn a method of outputting a QTVR movie with a Smart Blending Method to get a clean result

Using QTVR Scripting to move the video and add an End Date
"In this lesson we will learn how to add annotations to our file, add automatic movement when the panorama is opened and build a date in our QuickTime file which will disable it"

Adding a logo to a QTVR file
In this lesson we will learn how to add a logo with a link to a webpage to our QTVR movie and various things we have to watch out for while creating the logo image

Using Hotspots to add links inside our QTVR file
"In this lesson we will learn how to define and link Hotspots in our QTVR file to create areas inside our panorama that, when clicked, will take the user to a webpage"

Creating a Panoramic Tour using QTVR and Hotspots on a webpage
In this lesson we will learn how to connect two QTVR movie files to each other using Hotspots and Publish them to a webpage using Stitchers built-in publishing tools

Download:

http://rapidshare.com/files/274900026/Introduction_to_Stitcher_2009.part01.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/274906824/Introduction_to_Stitcher_2009.part02.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/274913864/Introduction_to_Stitcher_2009.part03.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/274925742/Introduction_to_Stitcher_2009.part04.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/274937797/Introduction_to_Stitcher_2009.part05.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/274949316/Introduction_to_Stitcher_2009.part06.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/274960994/Introduction_to_Stitcher_2009.part07.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/274976773/Introduction_to_Stitcher_2009.part08.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/274977237/Introduction_to_Stitcher_2009.part09.rar