This tutorial shows a way of spherical panoramas generation from multiple images taken from the same camera position (using the nodal head for the image acquisition is recommended) using Agisoft Metashape. Sample data can be downloaded for practice purposes. 


This article has been suitable for Metashape since version 1.8, in previous versions of the program, the Build Panorama command was from File > Export > Export Panorama...



Setting camera station

1. Add images using the corresponding button on the Workspace pane or using the option in the Workflow menu. 


2. Select all cameras in the Workspace pane, right-click on the selection and choose Move Cameras > New Camera Group in the context menu. 


3. Right-click on the camera group label in the Workspace pane and set the group type from Folder to Station:





Before building a panorama you need to align photos (select Workflow > Align Photos...). It is usually sufficient to use the following parameters:


After aligning photos check cloud orientation. Zoom in to the tie point cloud and apply correct model orientation in space relative to the coordinate system axis displayed in the Model view using Rotate Object tool. After setting orientation, click Update Transform button on the Toolbar.



Save the project in *.psx format before starting building panorama.


Build Panorama

1. Select Build Panorama... command on the Workflow menu (Workflow > Build Panorama...).


2. In the Build Panorama dialog choose parameters for building panorama.



Desired orientation and rotation of the output image according to the preview for camera station group:




3. Click OK button. The created panorama will be displayed in Ortho view



Export Panorama

1. Select Export Orthomosaic... command from the File menu (File > Export > Export Orthomosaic...).


2. Set exporting parameters and click Export... button.



3. Browse the destination folder and formats.


4. Click Save button.


Metashape supports panorama export in the following formats:
• JPEG (*.jpg)
• JPEG 2000 (*.jp2)
• JPEG XL (*.jxl)
• TIFF/GeoTIFF (*.tif, *.tiff)
• PNG (*.png)
• BMP (*.bmp)



The main steps for processing spherical panoramas you can find in our article: Processing spherical panoramas in Agisoft Metashape