OpenPano is a free C++ program for stitching images into wide panoramas. It offers cylinder, camera-estimation and translation modes, with different requirements for how images are captured or ordered. Its listed techniques include SIFT features, RANSAC-based homography or affine transforms, focal estimation, bundle adjustment and image straightening. OpenPano runs on Linux, macOS and Windows. The project describes CMake and make build steps for Linux, macOS and WSL, plus a Visual Studio 2015 process for Windows. Building requires Eigen and FLANN; libjpeg and CImg are optional image input/output components. The project recommends reducing images of four megapixels or more before processing to save time. Wide-angle images with heavy distortion may not work well unless camera parameters are used to undistort them. Default memory use can be large; LAZY_READ can reduce it with a minor slowdown. The software is free under the MIT License, which permits use and distribution subject to its terms and provides no warranty.
Who it is for
OpenPano suits people who want to build wide panoramas from images and can work with its build process. Its documented modes and image requirements are relevant when capture order or distortion needs attention.
What is good
- Free software under the MIT License
- Supports Linux, macOS and Windows
- Offers three panorama stitching modes
- Lists SIFT, focal estimation and bundle adjustment
What to know first
- Images of four megapixels or more may need downscaling
- Wide-angle distortion can cause poor results
- Default memory consumption can be large
- Windows build process may not work
Verdict
OpenPano provides several stitching modes and a range of listed image-processing techniques at no cost. Consider its build requirements, image limitations and Windows caveat before choosing it.
Get started with OpenPano
- Choose the build route for your platform: CMake and make for Linux, macOS, or WSL, or the Visual Studio 2015 process for Windows.
- Install the required Eigen and FLANN dependencies.
- Add libjpeg and CImg if you want their optional image input and output components.
- Build OpenPano using the instructions for your platform.
- Choose a stitching mode that fits your images' capture or ordering requirements.
What the free plan stops at
The project recommends manually downscaling images of four megapixels or more to save time. Heavy distortion in wide-angle images can cause poor results unless camera parameters are used to undistort them; default memory use can also be large.
Questions about OpenPano
How much does OpenPano cost?
OpenPano is free. Its listed plan is 0.00 USD per free.
Which operating systems does it support?
It supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. Build instructions also cover WSL.
What stitching modes does it offer?
It offers cylinder, camera estimation, and translation modes, each with image capture or ordering requirements.
What does it require to build?
Eigen and FLANN are build dependencies. libjpeg and CImg are optional image input and output components.
What license does OpenPano use?
It includes the MIT License, which permits use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale subject to its conditions. The license provides the software without warranty.
OpenPano plans and pricing
All plansCompared on panorama stitching software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Panorama types
- wide
