ARCSOFT Panorama Maker 3.0 ( Windows Macintosh )

CAUTION, be forewarned by my experiences: the three ArcSoft products I own have all been exercises in frustration, wasted time and effort, and failure to function.ArcSoft sells BUGGY software. For example, PhotoBase 4.5 & Photo Impression 5 both fail to install on an HP PC running Windows XP Home Edition. Panorama Maker 3 installs and opens but gives error messages when trying to work with albums and files.ArcSoft DOES NOT SUPPORT their products. They do not answer emails or phone calls. Their internet knowledge base is very spotty and incomplete. When downloads are available, ArcSoft instructs customers to have no confidence in them: "Program patches/updates ... may or may not work, and may actually cause your program(s) to function improperly."ArcSoft intentionally designs their software to be USER-UNFRIENDLY. For example, there is no help feature and no display of version number in Panorama Maker 3. If users go online to the ArcSoft knowledge base and search, they will find a listing of 5 steps to go through to discover a version number. The manual and knowledge base have no index and no list of errors or ways to troubleshoot them.

The program is fine but when you upgrade to the next version they change their program completely and REMOVE features that were in the prior version and to make money to get the same features of the old version you have to purchase a new version added to their line - all in an effort to make more money!

Panorama Maker 3 was inexpensive and fairly efficient at creating satisfactory panoramas. I have Photoshop to create Panoramas, but Panorama Maker 3 allows more control over the photographs. Panorama three doesn't create a quality Panorama to Photoshop, but close in comparison. Sometimes Panorama 3 makes errors in it's final results and you would need to do it over again to search for a better result. There later versions of Panorama Maker are out, but for $19.99, Panorama Maker 3 is a steal if your on a budget or starting out in creative Photography. Personaly as a Photographer I'm on a tight budget and if I don't need to get the latest version to do a satisfactory job, then why do so. Panorama Maker 3 is simple enough to figure out, while Panorama Maker 5 and Photoshop are difficult to use if you don't know the software. For web work, sharing and some printing Panorama Maker 3 is fine and will produce good results for viewing. Arcsoft Panorama Maker 3

There is a wealth of stitching programs available and some do very seamless jobs. Arcsoft's program falls in the mid-pack with V3. Though economical it is a nice well rounded program. Though it may not be "perfect" the results are usually acceptable and fixable post stitch in your digital editor. Careful attention while shooting will yield excellent results. Mainly a level shot so that horizon lines aren't crooked requiring the program to adjust them. ;) (My tip, prior to selection, use your digital editor to straighten/adjust horizon lines before letting Panoramamaker run...that will make life so much easier.)I find that from about 35-50mm (full frame) with a 1/4 frame overlap, 50mm resulted in the nicest stitches for me. Shooting panoramics is usually wide so I haven't tried longer focal length lenses. The "Original (For print)" output does well and I print at sub 4' width sizes on a Lightjet.Bottom line, if you do your job well, the program will give you quality results. Miss or not get exposure accurate, it will give back poor results.