Usage Help
The general workflow is to import JPG images and set the keyframes for panning or zooming motion. Optionally, deflicker the images. Then export as a completed timelapse. Meanwhile, RAWBlend is used before importing into Panolapse, for processing RAW files from the camera.
Installation
Install:
  • Download and unzip Panolapse.
    • For Windows users, make sure to unzip the entire "Panolapse" folder (otherwise you may get an error message about updating Adobe Air).
  • Move "Panolapse" anywhere you want on your computer. Open it and double-click on the program to start.

Uninstall:
  • Simply delete the Panolapse folder.

For instructions on RAWBlend, please visit the RAWBlend page.

Panolapse Tutorial (animating a perspective-correct pan):
  • First, if you haven't already, check out the main video on the homepage for a demo.
  • Open Panolapse and click Import image sequence.... Select a numbered image sequence (IMG001.JPG, IMG002.JPG, IMG003.JPG, etc).
  • In the Lens Settings dialog, confirm the focal length, crop factor, and lens type.
    • For the Output Lens Type, select Normal or Fisheye. The fisheye perspective is most apparent with photos originally shot on wide angle lenses or fisheyes.
  • After images are loaded, left-click to pan/tilt, right-click (or hold CTRL) to roll, and mouse-wheel to zoom. (On a Mac, you can use the CMD key in place of CTRL, and zoom by using the trackpad.)
  • Adjust the camera angle for the start keyframe of your animation.
  • Move the animation-slider to the end and adjust the camera for the ending keyframe.
  • Drag the animation-slider to preview the interpolated frames.
  • (Optionally) To animate zooming, check the Enable zoom animation box and set your start and end keyframes.
  • Click Export Frames.
  • Deflicker. If you wish to smoothen out scene brightness, tick the checkbox Deflicker.
    • Panolapse can smoothen out a scene by adjusting each frame's brightness towards a moving average brightness defined by Rolling Window Size. Between 8-25 is a good general amount.
    • Optionally, you can specify the Sample Area, which is the region in the scene that Panolapse will analyze for flickering. The program smoothens out the scene brightness based upon the changing brightness in this specified area.
  • Choose your File Format. For highest quality, export as max-resolution JPG. Panolapse can also combine your frames into a video as .mp4 using the x264 codec (good for Youtube/Vimeo uploads), or .mov using the PhotoJPEG codec (bigger filesizes). All presets are high quality and considered visually-lossless.
  • Click Queue for Render. Optionally, you can now do another sequence.
  • When you're ready to render the batch, click Render all.

Tips for maximum quality:
  • Do not crop images before they are handled by Panolapse.
  • Import and export in maximum resolution.

Usage FAQ
  • I want to pan just a single image, how do I do that?
    Click Tools Menu->Animate a single image... You'll be able to enter the number of frames you want to animate the image across.

  • How do I animate zooming in and out?
    Click the Enable Zoom Animations checkbox to enable keyframing of the focal length. Alternatively, you can use Panolapse just to do the rotation/panning motion. Then export the frames in maximum resolution and do a digital zoom with any video-editing software of your choice.

  • Why does the preview appear blurry?
    You can adjust the preview quality in File Menu -> Preferences. Check the Optimal Size indicator in the bottom-left corner for the optimal output resolution.

  • My computer slows down when exporting. How can I tweak performance?
    Check out the Processor Threads setting in the Preferences. The default is 3, which is a general case for dual-core or quad-core machines. If your computer acts sluggish while rendering, try decreasing it. If you have a very fast computer, increase the threads.

  • I can't select more than 1000 files
    Try placing the files in a folder and select the first image to import. Panolapse will automatically detect the sequence and import all of the images. This method can be used to bypass the 1000 file limit restriction of some operating systems.

  • What is "fast-copy" mode?
    Panolapse has a speed optimization where it skips directly to deflickering and video creation. This can be useful if you wish to only deflicker a scene or make a video file. Simply import the files as usual and then export them again - Panolapse will detect no changes are being made and will bypass the perspective-correction computations.

  • (Windows) I'm having trouble opening files.
    Try right-clicking on Panolapse.exe and "Run as Administrator," or check your system security settings. Try opening one file at at time to narrow down the problematic file.

  • (Mac OSX) I can't open the program because it is made by an "unknown developer"?
    Check your Security & Privacy settings to allow apps downloaded from anywhere. More information here.

  • (Mac OSX) I can't see any text
    This may be caused by duplicate fonts in your system (for instance by installing MSOffice). Open Font Book in the Applications Folder, select "All Fonts" in the Edit menu, and click "Look for Enabled Duplicates" (cmd-L). Delete the duplicates, empty the trash, and then open Disk Utility and click "Repair All Permissions." Something else to try is to open "Font Book" and click "Restore Standard Fonts" in the File menu.
Timelapse Tutorial and Guide
More questions?
Please feel free to email contact@panolapse360.com.