#PHOTOSPHERE CAMERA APP HOW TO#
#PHOTOSPHERE CAMERA APP FOR MAC#
#PHOTOSPHERE CAMERA APP FULL SIZE#
#PHOTOSPHERE CAMERA APP MANUAL#
#PHOTOSPHERE CAMERA APP ANDROID#

Now you have to add it to Google View by going to. While we wish this was the last step, it’s not.

#PHOTOSPHERE CAMERA APP FULL SIZE#

Unfortunately, you have to download the photo sphere to your computer before you upload it again to Google+.įrom here, make sure that your Google+ account is set to upload full size images, then upload the file to your account. It will then show you a preview of your photo sphere and give you a link to download it. The photo sphere creator will ask you to define the north direction in your image and then ask you to place the location on the map using Street View to make it exact and correct. Hugin’s default panorama image is a TIFF file, so you’ll need to change it to a JPG using a photo editor. It took us several tries and numerous unresponsive server errors until we discovered that the photo sphere creator only accepts files saved as JPG. We had a fair amount of frustration attempting to upload our panorama to this photo sphere creator. Whether you use Hugin or another panorama app, you’ll have to upload the image to this site before adding it on Google Maps. The panorama version of your images can then be uploaded to Google’s photo sphere creator.

This is a good time to grab a cup of coffee. If you’ve got a lot of images to line up, the process takes several minutes, then several more to create a TIFF file version of the panorama. The app automatically tries to determine where the image should line up, but then gives you fine-tuning control to make any corrections.

#PHOTOSPHERE CAMERA APP FOR MAC#

We used the free program Hugin, which works for Mac and PC, to stitch our images together. Thanks to technology, this is not nearly as tedious as you might think. Next, you’ll need to piece together all the images you took into a panorama shot. Otherwise, make a note of where you took the images so you can put the View in the correct spot on Google Maps. This will make stitching the photos together later much easier. Choose a starting point and start shooting, making sure to let an object, such as a light pole, from one shot overlap into the next shot. We found it easier to stand in the middle of a location and shoot around one point, but be mindful of traffic if you’re in the street. Grab your camera and head to the location you wish to shoot. Lastly, shooting in portrait orientation helps to make sure you don’t cut off a tall object. It’s important to note that whichever method you use, you’ll need a Google+ account to add your images.

#PHOTOSPHERE CAMERA APP MANUAL#

When using a DSLR to shoot a panorama, it’s helpful to use a small aperture, manual focus, and a tripod for keeping your shots level. Plus, there’s the added bonus of greater control over the images you take, such as shutter speed, aperture, and focal length. DSLR users are also able to take spheres or panoramas and add them to Views. As you might expect, there are a few more steps involved than there is with your phone, but it’s nothing too crazy.

#PHOTOSPHERE CAMERA APP ANDROID#

Thankfully, if you’re not on the current version of Android or you’re (gasp!) not using an Android phone, there is another way. Using a DSLRĪccording to Google’s Android developer site, only 5.6 percent of Android users are currently running Android 4.2, the only version that currently includes photo spheres. If you’re comfortable sharing, press “Publish.” A message will pop up telling you that your Photo Sphere will be public on Google Maps as soon as it’s been reviewed. The location and date of the photo sphere will be displayed publicly.

You’ll see a warning that you will be sharing publicly on the Web. To share your photo sphere, simply press the Share icon and select Google Maps. Once you’re done capturing, just press the stop button at the bottom of the screen. Google says you need to complete at least five rotations, tilting your camera up or down, to create a full photo sphere.

You don’t have to hit all the dots, but the more you do, the more accurate the photo sphere will be. Stand in the same spot as you rotate and continue matching up the blue dot to the center of the doughnut. Holding your device vertically and close to your face level, capture the scene by positioning your camera so that the blue dot lines up with the center of the doughnut. Tap the latter one that’s the photo sphere button. Touch this, and it’ll open a menu for video, panorama, or what looks like an inverted panorama symbol on a globe. In your device’s Camera app, look for the little camera icon in the bottom left-hand corner. Shooting a photo sphere in your Android 4.2 phone or tablet is simple.

#PHOTOSPHERE CAMERA APP HOW TO#

Below, we’ll walk you through how to take and upload a photo sphere using either your Android 4.2 device or your DSLR. Google wants anyone to be able to contribute photo spheres, even if they don’t have a device running Android 4.2.

Photosphere camera app