Adobe photoshop elements User Manual
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ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS
User Guide
Image overlap
Images should have an overlap of
approximately 30% to 50% of the image area. If
the overlap is less, Photomerge may not be able to
automatically assemble the panorama. However,
keep in mind that the images shouldn't overlap too
much. If images overlap by 70% or more, it can be
difficult to work with them, and blending may not
be as effective. Try to keep the individual photos at
least somewhat distinct from each other.
the overlap is less, Photomerge may not be able to
automatically assemble the panorama. However,
keep in mind that the images shouldn't overlap too
much. If images overlap by 70% or more, it can be
difficult to work with them, and blending may not
be as effective. Try to keep the individual photos at
least somewhat distinct from each other.
Focal length
Use a consistent focal length. Avoid
using the zoom feature of your camera while
taking a series of images for use with Photomerge.
taking a series of images for use with Photomerge.
Alignment
Keep the camera level. Although slight
rotations between images are tolerated, a tilt of
more than a few degrees can result in errors when
automatically assembling the panorama.
more than a few degrees can result in errors when
automatically assembling the panorama.
A typical situation where rotation comes into play
is when photographing a panoramic scene from a
high place. The natural inclination is to keep the
horizon level in the viewfinder. However, if you’re
photographing the horizon from an elevated
position, this actually produces a noticeable
rotation between images. Keep the camera level
when taking photographs in this situation.
is when photographing a panoramic scene from a
high place. The natural inclination is to keep the
horizon level in the viewfinder. However, if you’re
photographing the horizon from an elevated
position, this actually produces a noticeable
rotation between images. Keep the camera level
when taking photographs in this situation.
Using a tripod with a rotating head helps
maintain camera alignment and viewpoint.
maintain camera alignment and viewpoint.
Viewpoint
Take pictures from the same
viewpoint. Don’t change your position as you take
a series of photographs. Small changes in
viewpoint are tolerated, but if you walk to a new
position while taking photographs, you’ll likely
disrupt the continuity of your images. Using the
optical viewfinder with the camera held close to
the eye helps keep the viewpoint consistent.
a series of photographs. Small changes in
viewpoint are tolerated, but if you walk to a new
position while taking photographs, you’ll likely
disrupt the continuity of your images. Using the
optical viewfinder with the camera held close to
the eye helps keep the viewpoint consistent.
Image Size
Don’t try to merge images that are
larger than 2 megapixels. Larger file sizes will take
longer for Photoshop Elements to process, and too
many large files could generate memory errors.
Use the Image Size Reduction option in the
Photomerge Setup dialog box to keep the output
panorama to a reasonable size.
longer for Photoshop Elements to process, and too
many large files could generate memory errors.
Use the Image Size Reduction option in the
Photomerge Setup dialog box to keep the output
panorama to a reasonable size.
Lens
Avoid using lenses, such as fish-eye lenses,
that cause noticeable distortion to the image.
Small amounts of barrel distortion (found in
many cameras at the wide-angle setting) are
tolerated, but strong distortions interfere with the
automatic registration process.
Small amounts of barrel distortion (found in
many cameras at the wide-angle setting) are
tolerated, but strong distortions interfere with the
automatic registration process.
Exposure
The advanced blending feature in
Photomerge helps smooth out different exposures,
but extreme differences make alignment difficult.
Some cameras have an “AE Lock” feature for fixing
the exposure just for this purpose. Avoid using the
flash in some pictures and not in others.
but extreme differences make alignment difficult.
Some cameras have an “AE Lock” feature for fixing
the exposure just for this purpose. Avoid using the
flash in some pictures and not in others.
Setting up a Photomerge composition
The setup information you provide instructs
Photoshop Elements which source files to use
and how to process them. You can choose to
let Photoshop Elements create a composition
automatically, in which case it tries to find similar
image areas and align them. Or, you can choose to
simply load the source images and assemble the
composition yourself. If you choose to have
Photoshop Elements automatically detect and
align your images, you can still override the results
in the assembly window.
Photoshop Elements which source files to use
and how to process them. You can choose to
let Photoshop Elements create a composition
automatically, in which case it tries to find similar
image areas and align them. Or, you can choose to
simply load the source images and assemble the
composition yourself. If you choose to have
Photoshop Elements automatically detect and
align your images, you can still override the results
in the assembly window.