kharvatis wrote:

Does the algorithm actually produce more tonal information, so that a 16-bit output has meaning when feeding APP with usual 8-bit photos?

Autopano uses more than 8 bits for its color and brightness adjustments as illustratred there: http://www.autopano.net/wiki-en/action/ … rightness.

My user opinion:

If the same exposure setting was used for all 8-bit source images in a panorama, I doubt a 16-bit result file being actually very useful (but opinions may vary.)

On the contrary, the larger the exposure differences between source images, the more a 16-bit output file should be preferable if you intend to post-process the resulting pano in an other application and intend to use tools like Curve, shadows/highlights adjustments, etc.

Before deciding to use a 16-bit output file, these three steps are to be followed:
1) Select LDR mode.
2) Watch how automatic anchors were set by Autopano and possibly adjust them.
3) Use the pano editor Levels tool before rendering, as explained there: http://www.autopano.net/wiki-en/action/ … ss#Levels.

These three steps will ensure the full bit-depth (either 8-bit or 16-bit) will be actually used by the resulting file...

Last edited by GURL (2010-03-20 09:11:07)

kharvatis wrote:

Do you have an opinion on whether it's worth feeding APP with 16-bit TIFFs?

Yes - it is. But they should be "real" 16bit - which means that the camera-file should be photographed as RAW and processed/saved as 16bit TIFF.
In that case - and only then - APP/APG has a greater range to work with . . .  which provides smoother curves/color-corrections and rendered as 16bit TIFF it gives
better quality for being printed or processed in Photoshop for composings or so.

best, Klaus

kharvatis wrote:

Thank you klausesser. I an professional, and it's been quite a while since I have switched to RAW. My goal is usually fine art/hi res printing.

So, new problems arise when color profiles and bit depth come to play (especially since APP is not color managed yet).
For example, if I feed APP with ProPhoto 16-bit files, and get an (untagged) 16-bit panorama, is it just ok to tag it back to Prophoto?

Working with profiles is better afterwards when preparing the images for being printed.
Don´t use profiled images to feed a stitcher - any stitcher.
Save your renderings as 16bit TIFFs or as PS and export them to Photoshop to edit them for print.

best, Klaus