[Digikam-users] Exposure Blending tool finalization...

[Gilles Caulier]

Hi all,

Since few day, i working hard to create a new tool to make pseudo HDR image.

After some try with QtPfsGui code imported and improved as a new
kipi-plugins (code is in my home dir from KDE svn), I never give a
right result as HDR creation and Tonemapping. QtPfsGui code is very
very very experiemental. Only one time, i create successfully an HDR
image without artefact. This is not enough for me/

I cannot understand why users said that QtPfsGui is a good program.
Please, if you fell that i'm wrong let's me hear. Perhaps i have a
simple view of programmer, but at least code speak about : I lost one
week to review and fix this code to be suitable, readable, and
maintainable.

It's a shame to writte code like this... but it's another story...

So, after to be tired to play with QtPfsGui code, i thinking to take
another way : Enfuse.

The idea is simple :

1/ Define a stack of bracketed images.
2/ If Raw images, convert it to TIFF 16 bits with auto-gamma.
3/ Auto Align stack with Hugin auto_align_stack command line program.
4/ Start pseudo-HDR editor, the famous Enfuse frontend designed by me (:=)))

All is done, excepted step 2, partially implemented. Tool is currently
suitable with all other images formats as JPEG, PNG, TIFF, etc...

You need to install Hugin and Enblend project to your computer before
to use this new tool.

Now the screenshots... Champagne please !

1/ The tool is available in digiKam Tools menu :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/4203352088_78f8025d41_o.png

2/ The first stage of the tool is an assistant :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2681/4203352164_388c23be82_o.png

3/ You need first to set-up bracketed images stack :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2590/4203352256_91dd0dbd55_o.png

4/ After that tool is ready to process auto alignment of stack :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/4202593315_7bd8a6fe66_o.png

5/ Auto-Alignment can be long... so, take a cup of Champagne to be patient :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2596/4203352414_edc73d4d8d_o.png

6/ "Et Voilà". Auto-Alignment is done. Aligned images are save to temp
TIFF files :

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4203352494_49704b8972_o.png

7/ And now, the best for the end... Let's go to fuse bracketed images :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/4203352570_b30255d05b_o.png

8/ Enfuse take a while too, depending of options used... At least,
result is great (:=))) :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/4202593625_e03a4d8256_o.png

My TODO List :

- Move this tool from my home KDE svn dir to trunk to be available in
kipi-plugins 1.1. I will do it soon.
- Add Raw support.
- Add a stack of processed images in Enfuse Gui. Selecting one items
will display it in preview. You can select the best to export in your
collection.
- Add some advanced Enfuse options. Here i'm waiting comments form users...
- Hack last bugs, memory leak, and other joys (:=)))...

Important : this tool is also available as a stand alone application
"expoblending". It's installed in your usual binary place from your
computer.

I'm waiting your viewpoints, feedback, critics... etc...

Your servant

Gilles Caulier