Spherical photo of FME (360°)

The principle of stereography consists in taking two areal images which are, thanks to the device structure, taken from different positions. The same scene is photographed twice with a slight shift, just as it is seen by each eye. The overall image then appears as plastic (3D). The special equipment of the camera, the stereoscopic stand head, enables images to be recorded simultaneously and thus minimizes imprecision and any accidental change of scene.

The panoramic head enables wide-angle photographs to be recorded. Spherical photos can even capture the whole inside of an imaginary sphere, i.e. both at the top and bottom. Panoramic and spherical photographs are obtained by combining several mutually connected shots.
Compared to the traditional photograph, limited by its narrow aperture, the spherical photograph can capture more information from the surrounding reality.

The solution from the Institute of Machine and Industrial Design combines both functions in one device. Combining a spherical photograph and stereoscopic seeing can be used for e.g. virtual sight-seeing real scenery. In BUT, the prototype is used for images utilizable for projecting in the virtual reality laboratory.

The unique structure enables a pair of cameras to be attached and mutually set up vis-à-vis the recorded scene. The option to set the distance between the cameras in both vertical and horizontal directions allows the user to adapt the situation according to actual requirements. The construction is designed for use outdoors and in the wild, and to work with top photographic equipment. The centrally placed gravity centre also makes it possible to work with bulky telephoto lenses. This successful design is protected as an industrial design.

The equipment designers, Ing. Filip Uhlíř a Ing. Daniel Koutný, Ph.D., work in the Institute of Machine and Industrial Design at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

Title picture legend:
Aretace vertikálního posunu (6) - Arrest of vertical shift, Aretace horizontální rotace ramene (5) - Arrest of horizontal rotation of the arm, Aretace horizontálního posunu ramene (4) - Arrest of horizontal shift of the arm, Aretace rotace ramene (2) - Arrest of arm rotation, Jistící čep fotoaparátu (7) - Securing peg of camera, Jistící čep (3) - Securing peg, Kloub horizontální rotace (1) - Horizontal rotation joint