New Processes to Enable New Science

Gigapixel-scale image capture and explorable viewing extend the photograph fundamentally, enabling new science.  While the act of traditional photography is the act of selection, gigapixel photography lets the scientist capture an entire subject and its context in full detail, deferring the selection of salient portions until later. 

Gigapixel-scale imagery at the microscopic level combined with online access and analysis tools gives scientists and educators new abilities:

• Virtual online specimens, accessible simultaneously by multiple viewers, with annotation and collaboration capabilities. This capability may seem obvious, but it is a critical element to unlocking the door to collections around the world, expediting study of time-sensitive specimens through remote viewing, and provides a means of public access and discourse.
  
• Explore, compare, and contrast multiple subjects simultaneously.  Often it is during the act of comparison itself that the salient features emerge, leveraging the strength of gigapixel-scale imagery.  Traditional photographs, with the need to select salient features at capture time, fall short for this task.  The two subjects can be from different locations, or different times.  The viewer is effectively in two places (or times) at once. 
  
• Exhaustively recording a changing subject for later study, e.g. a small paleontological specimen before fixative is applied, a growing plant, embryo, or culture. 

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The Array of Images
The overall process involves capturing a three dimensional array of images that provide a photographic mosaic of image with complete depth of field. The processes combines the techniques of focus stacking to create a high depth of field image and image mosaicking to create a high resolution seamless image from many photos. 

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Linear vs. Rotational Image Capture

 Many panoramas such as those predominantly shown on the GigaPan.org website are photographed using a process of rotating the camera around a central pivot or nodal point. This method is extremely effective at capturing gigapixel imagery using wide-angle, standard, or telephoto lenses. When using extreme macro lenses, high magnification optics, or microscope objects, a different process is needed. The process here uses a linear or axial method of translating the camera and is designed to keep the camera or imaging sensor at a relatively equal distance to the subject.

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The Steps of the Process

Step 1:Capture the Imagery Using the Explorable Microscopy Capture Software

We are currently developing intelligent capture software for efficiently capturing the hundreds and often thousands of images that are used to create an explorable gigapixel image with microscopic detail. The current version of the software is in the prototype phase and we are actively working on a new version. As we continue to develop the software, we invite you to send us your thoughts, input, and feedback on how we can design the software to meet your own needs. 

The capture software here is open source and is available for download in the Wiki pages of this site.

The current version was programmed by Gene Cooper, Four Chambers Studio. For details or questions, please contact Gene at gene@fourchambers.org 

Step 2: Focus Stack the Images Focus Stacking (wikipedia link) is the process of taking multiple images of the same scene at slightly different focal distances. The software is then able to create one image which combines the best focused parts of each image to create a hyperrealistic effect.

Using Zerene Stacker, http://www.zerenesystems.com
This is an excellent program that allows you to focus stack the images after the capture process is complete.

Step 3: Stitch the Images:
This is the process of taking a mosaic, or grid, of overlappig images and having softwere determine how to put the images together to make a seamless image. We use the very fast Gigapan Stitch software, and we also use Autopano Giga.

Using GigaPan Stitcher, http://www.gigapan.org This is an excellent program for stitching your panorama. If you already own a GigaPan device, the stitching software that is provided will allow you to stitch your panorama.

Using AutoPano Giga, http://www.kolor.com/ This is an excellent commercial program for stitching your panorama once the images are focus-stacked.

Step 4: Upload the Image to the GigaPan Website for Online Viewing:
Free uploading program to transfer your files to the GigaPan.org website for online viewing. This allows you to view and share your imagery with others without the need for a high powered computer or fancy programming. 

http://www.gigapan.org/