Before You Start Capturing Content
You've decided to make an interactive tour to support your teaching content. Before you get started, there are a couple of things you will need to plan and consider. Let's start here.
Photographing & Filming People
If you are capturing footage for teaching or learning purposes, consider if you are compliant with University Policy. Depending on the number of people you are capturing, you may require participants to complete a photo consent release form; or you may need to display signs stating that photography/filming is occurring and asking people to let organisers know if they do not consent to this. For more information on issues to consider when photographing or filming people, please refer to The University Copyright Office or The University's Privacy Policy. If you are an external photographer or filmmaker wanting to film on campus, visit Filming on Campus.
For more details on the responsibilities and legal requirements on using photo or video, refer to the University guidelines.
360° Equipment
A range of 360° cameras is available at ABP. Select the tabs below to find out which one is best suited to your filming needs.
The Insta360 One X is a 5.7K camera with many features for filming movement and action-filled scenes. This camera is capable of both 360° video and photography, and has features to enhance filming. These include the built-in ‘Flowstate’ stabilisation technology, which may be useful if you plan on recording movement in a panoramic video, e.g. for walking tours.
| Video Resolution | 5.7K @ 30fps - 4K @ 50fps |
|---|---|
| Photo Resolution (unstitched) | 18 Megapixels |
| Number of Lenses | 2 fisheye lenses |
| Other Features | HDR Video, Slow Motion |
| Where to find | ABP Loans Desk |
The GoPro Fusion 360 allows for spherical videos and photo recordings with features that include the built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, waterproof up to 5m, and top-tier stabilisation technology. The GoPro Fusion kit includes an invisible Fusion Grip/tripod, 1 x curved mount and 1 x flat mount.
| Video Resolution | 5.2K @ 30fps - 4K @ 60fps |
|---|---|
| Photo Resolution (unstitched) | 18 Megapixels |
| Number of Lenses | 2 fisheye lenses |
| Other Features | Waterproof (5m), 360 Audio |
| Where to find | The BEL+T Group |
The Insta360 Pro 2 features a compact aluminium frame, two USB ports, and a hot-swap battery dock. Some key features include the ability to captures 8K 360° videos and stills in 3D up to 30 fps and 2D up to 60 fps, CrystalView for viewing 8K footage on standard VR headsets or smartphones and FarSight 360° long-range monitoring system.
| Video Resolution | 8K @ 30fps - 6K @ 60fps - 4k @ 120fps |
|---|---|
| Photo Resolution (unstitched) | 134 Megapixels |
| Number of Lenses | 6 fisheye lenses |
| Other Features | Raw Photo outputs, HDR Video outputs |
| Where to find | ABP Loans Desk |
The Panono is an all-in-one 360 photo camera, with a stitched resolution of 134 megapixels (16384 x 8192). While it does not support videos it produces very high-resolution photographs. To stitch Panono photographs you do need to upload and pay a 0,79 € service fee on their online cloud system.
| Video Resolution | N/A - Video not supported |
|---|---|
| Photo Resolution (unstitched) | 108 Megapixels |
| Number of Lenses | 36 x 32mm lenses |
| Where to find | ABP Loans Desk |
Accessing Equipment
The ABP Loans desk has a range of equipment available for staff and students to borrow. Use the ABP Loans Portal to browse our equipment catalogue, reserve and manage equipment bookings. The Loans desk can be located in Level 1 Print Room of the Glyn Davis Building.
Watch this 2-minute intro video to learn how to make a booking using the ABP Loans Portal.
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Tips for Capturing 360° Content
Use the Timer
When capturing 360° footage, your camera will capture viewpoints from all angles. If you do not want to be captured, most cameras have a timer function, which will allow you time to leave the scene. You may be able to switch this function on from the camera directly or you may be able to control the camera from a downloaded app.
Use a Tripod
The use of a tripod is extremely helpful when capturing 360° content. Tripods can improve your content in the following ways:
- Using a tripod helps you keep your camera stable. This helps to keep your horizon line level, which is particularly important when filming.
- A tripod can help you to place your camera at eye level. Eye-level footage will feel more natural to the audience than something captured at a different height.
A range of tripods is available for loan at the ABP Loans Desk.
Shooting Distance
If you are trying to create a seamless journey you will need to keep the points you are capturing close together. Your audience can become disorientated if they move between points that are too far apart or with no visual connection. Aim to keep your photographing/filming points between 3-7 metres apart. Make sure to keep your capture points close within areas that have a busy foreground, lower ceiling or sharp turns, as they are especially disorientating.
Image and Video Resolution
Due to the processes required to make 360° footage (stitching, distortion, and flattening) some degradation is to be expected to the quality of the footage.
Interior shots may also be tricky due to the lower quality of light. If you experience issues capturing content indoors, try to play with the manual modes and shutter speeds to make sure you are capturing the best picture possible.
If you would like some more information on the relationship between resolution and 360° cameras, you may find the following resources helpful:
Post-Processing
Post-processing can occur in any footage post-production software. Post-processing can be helpful when wanting to enhance footage or remove unwanted items. We recommend using the Adobe Creative Suite to post-process (Photoshop for images and Premiere Pro, After Effects for video).
The BEL+T Micro Studio contains a designated editing/processing computer with relevant programs installed. Please contact abp-belt@unimelb.edu.au if you would like to use this computer or enquire further.