Spherical projection: grid for creating panoramic images

[slowtiger]

Finally I've updated to 9.5, mainly because of the cylindrical/spherical projection abilities. I want to draw backgrounds which work within this device, and I needed a grid to do that. Here it is, use it for your own purposes.

[jahnocli]

Thanks, slow.

[hayasidist]

That's really helpful! Did you just draw that by eye, or ...

[slowtiger]

Well of course - I've got the perfect eye!

Nope. I found a very small example on the net, scaled it up and drew clean lines in PS over it.

[hayasidist]

-- I would have believed you if you said you had drawn it!! Thanks!

[rocky53204]

Look forward to seeing one of your backgrounds!

[slowtiger]

OK, I'm nearly finished with the current project, so I allowed myself some play. Here's a first BG sketch over the grid just to see how it works. Load this into your AS 9.5, select "Script > Image > Spherical Panorama", select camera pan tool (7), play around. Hit cmd-J for nicer experience.



It works pretty fair in horizontal pans, but if you go to zenith or nadir you'll see the glitches. The room is a bit small for my taste, next time I'll do better. The lines of desk and floor are not 100% straight, but I think that's OK within this style.

The bookshelf in the back is something I did quite a while ago and re-used it already in different projects. Import the image into TVPaint and use the warp grid with some good resolution, I used 7 horizontal and 6 vertical points. Select columns of points first (marquee select) to shift horizontally in place. Then place the points so the connecting lines meet or follow the grid lines.

Maybe I'm a bit obsessed with the clear lines, a more painterly approach could be better. Looking forward what others do with this!

[JCook]

This is brilliant. Thanks for sharing this, slowtiger. What a great tool.

Jack

[Víctor Paredes]

Wow, thanks!

[slowtiger]

I corrected the grid and now it's much better around zenith and nadir, with straighter lines. Not perfect, but good enough for hand drawn backgrounds. Here's the revised version:



Let's see what you do with it!

[chucky]

Thanks so much for sharing this Slowtiger.
I know I shall be be needing this one sooner than later.

[slowtiger]

Have a look at this test:

and notice the imprvements on the desk's bottom.

[chucky]

Pretty amazing ST, funny the shelves don't match the construction as masterfully as the less detailed parts.

[slowtiger]

That's because it's just a warped front view (showing the backs only) so far, without the covers being added. I already used this in other projects and it's quite convincing once the missing parts are drawn.

[chucky]

No worries , work in progress, I see.