Appendix 3. Image Pre-Processing, Stitching, and Rendering Workflow

1. Scan/digitize the images as necessary
2. Evaluate/browse the images, choose images to be processed
3. Pre-processing:
   • lens correction (barrel distortion, de-vignette, rotate, save as)
   • DXO, Photoshop CS3
   • color space management
   • nb: always work on a copy, not the original file
4. Stitch
   • REALVIZ Stitcher, QTVRAS, PTBatch, VRWorks, etc.
   • PTMac (creates .txt file to tell itself how to batch - requires precise production)
   • Enblend, blending software
   • batch this step, if desired
5. Render/Export
   • spherical .tif
   • batch rendering
   • convert w/CubicConverter (batchable)
   • render to cube faces
   • stencil/alpha masks to remove undesireable objects
   • remove tripod in nadir
   • add graphical copyright or watermark
6. Edit images
   • remove dust, sun flares
   • fix stitching errors (aliasing, jointed areas, ghosting)
   • convert back to spherical to fix seams
   • HDR compositing
   • lengthen skirts or blur faces for cultural or legal requirements
   • nb: when editing digital images in Photoshop, always modify layers and copies, never the original image
7. Add hot spots and links
   • embed MD and watermarks
   • sprite tracks
   • apply zoom limitation
   • set initial view
8. Convert panorama
   • into final formats
   • multiple files and formats for access and preservation
   • file size and window size
   • resolution
9. Back-up

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