tomasulo wrote:

Hello,
I have found some information here and there on rendering a file composed of RAW images:
http://www.autopano.net/wiki-en/action/ … ols#Format

But could someone shed a bit further light on the matter?
I am shooting with a Panasonic GH1 camera.  Importing RAW into photoshop directly is not a problem.  Also, autopano pro imports just fine, and assembles the panorama beautifully.

1) In order to preserve the 16bit range of the original RAW files, what are your opinions on exporting in either 16 bit TIFF, or .PSD? Any preference? Pros/Cons?  I'm also still a little confused on the types of compression in the TIFF format.  Upon exporting, I will be doing some heavy image processing in Photoshop.

2) Does the use of  RAWs in rendering in either TIFF or PSD affect the programs ability to do color correction, blending, anti-ghosting or any other type of adjusting that autopano is capable of doing?

Thanks in advance.

The RAW files of this camera most unlikely are 16 bit. There are some digital backs which provide 16bit RAW. Semipro DSLRs provide 12 or 14bit RAW.
The  Panasonic GH1  has 8bit RAW.

Regarding the RAW decoder in APG is not a dedicated one - as in other stitchers too - it´s preferable to decode the RAW files in a decoder like PhaseOne or Lightroom/Photoshop, DXO or another dedicated RAW processor.

It makes no sense to save the decoded files as 16bit on the other hand doesn´t harm the files  - but 8bit TIF is completely sufficient. As a side-effect APG definitely runs faster . .

best, Klaus

Last edited by klausesser (2013-01-22 20:33:19)

tomasulo wrote:

Thank you Klaus for your prompt response.  Certainly if the camera itself does not record 16bit RAW, I will not even worry about it, and just go 8-bit all the way.

However, I am having trouble locating that information in my camera manual or elsewhere on the web.  When I attempt to open a raw file from my camera straight into Photoshop/ Camera Raw 7.0, ad the bottom of the import screen it shows the following:
"Adobe RGB (1998), 16bit, 4000X3000 (12.0MP), 240ppi"

What is the 16bit listed there refer to?  I can see that it is very possible that the data is recorded in 8-bit and then stored in a 16 bit container.  Thats would be a lot of extra zeros for no reason!

This means that Photoshop is in 16bit-mode - that´s not related to the native bit-mode of the image. Better set it to 8bit-mode. It needs less RAM, works faster and the files are smaller because it´s using redundant information actually. And you can´t use all available filters in 16bit-mode.

best, Klaus

Read reight now: the camera has 12bit/ch RAW, sorry.

Last edited by klausesser (2013-01-22 22:49:46)