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stacker:docs:tutorials:tutorial003 [2013/05/14 02:59] rjlittlefield |
stacker:docs:tutorials:tutorial003 [2021/04/29 15:50] rjlittlefield [Problems You May Encounter] |
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| Now that you have some idea how to make DMap work well, let's look at a few ways to make it work badly. After you've seen the examples, we'll explain how DMap actually works, so you can start to make sense of all these results. | Now that you have some idea how to make DMap work well, let's look at a few ways to make it work badly. After you've seen the examples, we'll explain how DMap actually works, so you can start to make sense of all these results. | ||
| - | One common mistake is to leave the contrast threshold set too low. That causes the frame selection for out-of-focus areas to be determined mostly by random noise. The result can be an ugly mess of blotches, like this: | + | One common mistake is to leave the contrast threshold set too low. That causes the frame selection to be determined mostly by random noise, in areas that are out-of-focus or mostly featureless. The result can be an ugly mess of blotches, like this: |
| {{:stacker:docs:tutorials:tutorial003:image005.jpg}} | {{:stacker:docs:tutorials:tutorial003:image005.jpg}} | ||
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| Now we're talking again about normal operations. | Now we're talking again about normal operations. | ||
| - | In addition to the contrast threshold setting, DMap is controlled by a couple of other "radius" parameters: Estimation Radius and Smoothing Radius. Roughly speaking, Estimation Radius controls the size of detail that DMap considers when deciding which source image is in focus, and Smoothing Radius controls how quickly DMap will switch from one source image to another. As a matter of practice, it works well to just set Smoothing Radius equal to half the Estimation Radius. That's the default setting, so we won't talk further about Smoothing Radius. | + | In addition to the contrast threshold setting, DMap is controlled by a couple of other "radius" parameters: Estimation Radius and Smoothing Radius. These controls are located in Options > Preferences > DMap Settings. Roughly speaking, Estimation Radius controls the size of detail that DMap considers when deciding which source image is in focus, and Smoothing Radius controls how quickly DMap will switch from one source image to another. As a matter of practice, it works well to just set Smoothing Radius equal to half the Estimation Radius. That's the default setting, so we won't talk further about Smoothing Radius. |
| Subjects with simple structure and no fine detail will work best with large radius settings, while subjects with complex structure and lots of fine detail will work best with small settings. | Subjects with simple structure and no fine detail will work best with large radius settings, while subjects with complex structure and lots of fine detail will work best with small settings. | ||
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| At lower magnifications, this situation is likely to occur when the subject is both deep and complicated, such as shooting the interior of a bush that has many overlapping branches. | At lower magnifications, this situation is likely to occur when the subject is both deep and complicated, such as shooting the interior of a bush that has many overlapping branches. | ||
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| + | ===== How to save a Depth Map Image ===== | ||
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| + | Normally the depth map that is computed internally by DMap is used only to construct the DMap output image and is not retained after the output image is constructed. | ||
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| + | However, you can optionally save the depth map by setting a couple of parameters __before__ you run a DMap operation, and then the DMap operation exports the depth map as a side effect. | ||
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| + | To make the settings, go to Options > Preferences > DMap Settings, then scroll down the panel so that you can see the checkbox labeled "Save depth map". Click the box to put a checkmark in it. Then specify a folder to contain the depth map, either by typing its full path such as C:\ImageFiles\ZSDepthMaps or by using the Choose button and then navigating to the desired folder. | ||
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| + | It looks like this: | ||
| + | {{:stacker:docs:tutorials:tutorial003:savedepthmapcontrols.jpg}} | ||
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| + | With this setting made, click OK to close the Preferences dialog. | ||
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| + | Every time you run DMap after making this setting, the corresponding depth map will be saved as an image file in the specified folder. The file name is same as the output image, with "_depthmap" added to it. The file format is 16-bit TIFF, nominally RGB but with all components equal to the same value. The pixel values range from 0 to 65535, corresponding to image numbers from 1 to N in the list of "Input Files" after stacking. (Photoshop will show these pixel values as 0 to 255, following its 8-bit convention.) To stop saving depth maps, just un-check the option. | ||
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| + | Note that "Save depth map" is a Pro-only option, which means that it requires Prosumer or Professional Edition to be used beyond a 30-day trial period. There will be a popup message reminding you of this, the first time that you select the option. | ||
| ===== Summary ===== | ===== Summary ===== | ||