No endorsements intended at all but I have had good luck with:
RealViz Stitcher for Cubics (realviz.com)
The VRWorx (http://vrtoolbox.com/vrthome.html) for cylinders, objects and deeper 'authoring' than is possible with Stitcher. This tool keeps getting better and better. Aside from absence of Cubic stitching, this is AFAIK, the most full featured VR stitching/authoring tool available.
(I also still use Apple's QuickTime VR Authoring studio. It's classic only but it still works and I'm used to it so for some projects I take an old familiar road... I do wish they'd rev this tool.)
General note: IMO, cubics are cool but there are very few content scenarios where cubics are necessary or even beneficial. This sin't to say there aren't many cases where cubics are an absolute requirement. Rather it's just that 'not cubic' is often just fun and more efficient.
LiveStage Pro (www.totallyhip.com) for building more interactive presentations (It wires already stitched VR it is not, in and of itself a stitching tool.)
For hardware, I have had very good luck with both Kaidan and Peace River Studios hardware (and the companies themselves--- great people at both). Which you choose is driven by your design aesthetic and whether there is a particular model that hits a sweet spot for you. (www.peaceriverstudios.com and www.kaidan.com). Kaidan also offers the 360 One VR wich is a single shot-to-cylinder mirror-lens used with a software tool they also offer called PhotoWarp. For some applications, (action shots, high volume-no-time) this is the only reliable solution I know of. There are some resolution related limitations inherent in the 'one shot per pano' method but I've seen some remarkably good results from this kit. PhotoWarp has also been very useful for conversions and as a general VR utility.
iPix I can't comment on from an informed position because, despite significant changes in their approach, the license model is still not yet flexible enough for my purposes. The tools have *definitely* improved but the licensing remains a deal-breaker for me. Your mileage may vary.
I have also found a 'geared' tripod head to be a ***very*** useful addition to any rig. I'm sure there are several models/manufacturers that are very good. I have only tried one (the bogen'410'). I've also finally come around to the idea that, despite the higher cost, carbon fiber tripods are very useful not so much because of the oft touted weight benefit but because I've found them to be stiffer and less vibration prone than the aluminum legged tripods I've used.
DeliVRator is a remarkably useful optimization tool (many friends swear by it [and mock me for not getting the current version]). Many years ago I used a demo version to good effect but I haven't been able to find the scratch to buy a current license.
- Jon
- The opinions expressed in this email are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer. -
On Friday, May 27, 2005 10:01 AM, Dan Mock <email@hidden> wrote:
>I used to follow this list from its beginning, but it has been at least
>3 years since I did any VR work. It was just as iPix was taking off. I
>now have an opportunity to do some VR work. I have archived all of the
>lists, but I was hoping that someone could give me the latest
>recommendation on software and techniques.
>
>Something as simple as iPix - BAD, Kaidan - GOOD would be very
>appreciated.
>
>Thanks
>
>Dan Mock
>Digital Interactions
>email@hidden
>
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