Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

What is a Gigapan? show

GigaPan, or Gigapixel Panorama, is an extremely high resolution image. GigaPan images have amazing detail, achieved by combining hundreds or thousands of individual digital photos into one brilliant panorama.

How can I make a GigaPan? show

It´s easy with our complete GigaPan System - EPIC, software and website! The GigaPan EPIC, EPIC or EPIC Pro quickly and easily takes hundreds of individual photos with most ordinary digital cameras. GigaPan Software is designed to combine these photos into one brilliant panorama with a billion pixels or more. GigaPan.com hosts your image online where you can share it, interact with other users, and see thousands of other amazing GigaPans.

Camera Compatibility

Will my camera work with the GigaPan EPIC? show

Over 200 common cameras are compatible with GigaPan products - please see our Compatible Camera page for the most recent listing.

What if my camera is not listed? show

If your camera is not listed as compatible, it either does not currently work with any of our systems or has not yet been tested. We regularly test new or common cameras and update the results on our Compatible Camera page. There are two general requirements for a camera to work with the EPIC:

1. It must be able to physically fit on the GigaPan EPIC.
2. The camera must have manual mode and the ability to set or lock exposure, white balance and focus.

Is there a GigaPan model for DSLR's? show

Yes, the EPIC Pro supports larger digital SLR cameras. Learn more about the EPIC Pro here.

Equipment

What do I need to use the GigaPan EPIC? show

Here is a list of required and recommended equipment:

• Tripod
• GigaPan EPIC
• 6 AA-sized Batteries for the EPIC or EPIC 100 (recommended: rechargeable NiMH batteries plus spares). The EPIC Pro comes with a rechargeable battery.
• Compatible Digital Camera with memory card (4GB card recommended)
• A Mac (Intel-Based) or PC with a minimum of 1 GB of RAM (recommended: 2 GB)
• GigaPan Stitch Software Software
• Memory Card USB Reader or USB camera cable

What kind of tripod should I use? show

Any basic, sturdy tripod will work. Having a quick release plate mechanism is helpful.

Will my camera work with the GigaPan EPIC? show

Over 200 common cameras are compatible with GigaPan products - please see our Compatible Camera page for the most recent listing.

What kind of batteries do you recommend? show

We recommend rechargeable NiMH batteries, as they often last longer and can be reused many times. AA batteries are used in the EPIC and EPIC 100. The EPIC Pro comes with a rechargeable battery.

What is the size and weight of the GigaPan EPIC? show

• The EPIC´s dimensions are approximately 7.75" W x 5" D x 7.75" H, and it weighs approximately 4 lbs.
• The EPIC 100´s dimensions are approximately 8.37"W x 5"D x 8.71"H, and it weighs approximately 4 lbs.
• The EPIC Pro´s dimensions are approximately 10-5/8" x 11-7/8" x 5-7/8" (27.12cm x 30.25cm x 15 cm), and it weighs approximately 7.25 lbs. with Battery (3.3 kg).

How long does it take to shoot a GigaPan image? show

If you´re taking a panorama with fixed focus and fast shutter, you can capture over 20 pictures per minute. Indoor or night-time shots require longer shutter times and can take longer. Using the 2-second camera delay allows the GigaPan EPIC and tripod to settle before each picture.

What is the best way to transport the GigaPan EPIC? show

The EPIC is quite durable and easy to handle. It is easiest to use a camera bag or backpack and leave your camera attached to the EPIC.

How does the GigaPan EPIC perform in weather? show

The GigaPan EPIC can be used in snow, rain and wind. Keep the EPIC and camera as dry as possible, and be sure to secure your tripod so it will not tip over if bumped or pushed by wind.

Software

What are compatible Operating Systems? show

Windows XP, Vista, or 7 and Intel-based Macs with OS X 10.4.9 or later. You also need at least 1GB of RAM, but 2GB is recommended; and 30 GB of free hard drive space (this can be an external drive).

How long does the stitching software take? show

For GigaPans up to several hundred input images, stitching can be as fast as shooting (just seconds per input image). GigaPan Stitch Software quickly prepares a low-resolution preview of the final result, allowing the user to view, check, and even begin upload and export of their GigaPan before it is completed.

GigaPan Stitch is fast to do the initial stitch and gets to 19-25% complete quickly; then it performs a global alignment of the whole image. (This global alignment may take some time and may make Stitch appear stalled or timed out) The global alignment will finish and then it will stitch the remaining portions of the image.

GigaPan Stitch can do stitching, viewing, uploading, and exporting simultaneously, if desired.

What are my options after stitching? show

GigaPan Stitch Software output formats are TIFF or Photoshop RAW and you can save the GigaPan to the location of your choice. You may upload your panorama to the GigaPan.com website, or embed in your own website or blog.

Which stitching software should I use? show

GigaPan Stitch is custom software developed for use with the GigaPan EPIC series of robotic camera mounts and provided with each EPIC purchase. Our software integrates information from your images for faster, more accurate stitching. Third party stitching software will also work with our images.

How do I know if I am using the most current stitching software? show

The current Stitch software releases can be found on the GigaPan Stitch software page. If you currently have GigaPan Stitch, the software will continue to work without re-typing the license key when you update to the latest version. If you purchase the upgrade to GigaPan Stitch.Efx, simply enter the license key when you're prompted the first time you run Stitch. To determine which GigaPan Stitch product you're currently licensed for (Stitch or Stitch.Efx), run your Stitch software, click on Help, then click on License.

How do I get a copy of the GigaPan Stitch software? show

GigaPan Stitch software is complimentary with the purchase of a model in the GigaPan EPIC series. EPIC owners can download their software online. Just go to the GigaPan Stitch page for details on how to register to receive your complementary software.

In addition, GigaPan Stitch and Stitch.Efx, and Kolor's Autopano Giga and Autopano Pro are available for purchase separately at the GigaPan Store on GigaPan.com

I purchased an EPIC and did not receive my complimentary copy of Stitch. show

To receive your Stitch software, visit the GigaPan Stitch software page and follow directions to complete registration. Once registered, you’ll be sent an email with your license key and a download link. If you did not receive an email with your license key after registering, make sure you check your spam/junk folder. If you still did not receive it, please contact us.

What is the difference between GigaPan Stitch and Stitch.Efx? show

Stitch.Efx has all the same great features as Stitch, including vignette correction, in addition to advanced options for color and contrast adjustment, image arrangement, and fine-tuning the blending of your images. Learn more about Stitch and Stitch.Efx

What's the difference between the software and GigaPan Upload applications? show

Stitching software takes multiple overlapping images, typically tens of megapixels each, aligns them, blends them, saves the resulting panorama on your computer, and it can upload the stitched image to gigapan.org for sharing and web viewing. GigaPan Upload takes an image in a single file, typically hundreds to thousands of megapixels, and uploads to gigapan.org. The latter is useful if you've stitched an image and edited it with software such as Photoshop, or if you stitched using software other than GigaPan Stitch.

How do I get the GigaPan Upload software? show

You can download the software here.

What are GigaPan Stitch’s compatible file formats? show

The input images must be in JPEG, TIFF, or PNG format. Stitch does not accept Camera Raw format as input, so if you have shot in a camera Raw, you will need to convert images into a compatible file format. Once you stitch your images you can export as a RAW or TIFF file.

What are GigaPan Upload’s compatible file formats?show

Upload software will upload JPG, RAW, TIFF, KRO, PSB, PSD formats.

View and Share at GigaPan.com

Can I embed my panorama in my website or blog? show

Yes, provided you agree to and abide by the GigaPan Terms of Embedding. Learn more about embedding here.

How do I embed? show

Method 1: Anyone can go to the detail page of a gigapan whose owner has checked the "Allow others to embed" box. Once there, click Embed and copy/paste the code.
Method 2: The owner of a gigapan can use the Embedding Wizard by going to "My Gigapans" and clicking the "Embed" link next to any embeddable gigapan then following the instructions on the embed wizard page.

Can I comment on other panoramas? show

Yes, we invite you to be part of the GigaPan community. You can share ideas, take a snapshot, or make comments. The GigPan community explores and shares images, learning and making amazing discoveries.

How can I make my panorama visible in Google Earth? show

Login in to your account. After logging in, click on "My GigaPans" at the top right side of the page. All of your panoramas will be displayed. Click on your panorama to view it's detail page, then click on the Edit button. Access geolocation interface by clicking on the "Place this panorama in Google Earth" link. The image location data can be changed by dragging the map interface or by editing the text boxes that list the image coordinates. Be sure to click the "Save" button located below the coordinates after any changes.

Do note, panoramas are not automatically included in the Gigapan layer in Google Earth. Displayed panoramas are hand-selected and only periodically updated. We look at several aspects when deciding which panoramas to include in the Google Earth layer update, including the quality of the image, interesting features of the image, and quality of the geolocation/placement in Google Earth.

How do I join the Gigapan community? show

Register for free! Becoming part of our community allows you to view, share and explore incredible high resolution imagery. Share your own panoramas and your insights about others. Explore and discuss amazing panoramas from around the world.

Print Services

How do I purchase a GigaPan print? show

If a GigaPan has the “Order Print” icondisplayed to the right under the image, it is available for purchase. You can find print-enabled GigaPans organized in our Print Gallery. Once you click the “Order Print” button, you can select from a list of available print sizes and prices. Once selected, click ‘add to cart’ and proceed to checkout or continue shopping.

How do I make my GigaPan available for printing? show

Log into your account and go to My Home > GigaPans. When you see your list of panoramas, there are ‘embed’, ‘geolocate’, ‘delete’ and ‘edit’ links underneath each one. Select ‘edit’ and, in the table beneath, locate the check box ‘ALLOW OTHERS TO PRINT THIS GIGAPAN?’. Once, checked, scroll to the bottom of page and click ‘Update’.


GigaPan takes supporting and protecting your copyrights to your images very seriously. Please read our Purchase Terms for more information.

Some panoramas are too long to print on our printer's current paper sizes. If you do not see a 'Order Print' button next to a gigapan that is in the Print Gallery, this is why.

Can I batch-enable my images for printing? show

Currently, you can enable one gigapan image at a time for printing on the individual image’s detail page. We are targeting batch management processes in future releases.

If I want to print another member's gigapan and they have not enabled printing, what can I do? show

You currently cannot print other members’ gigapans that have not been enabled for printing. We welcome you to contact the member through a private message to let them know you are interested.

What is your return policy for prints? show

Prints are provided to the recipient as is. No returns are accepted unless the item is damaged. Items will be delivered as ordered. If an item is damaged, we will accept a return for an exchange, provided the item is returned within seven (7) days from receipt date of the shipment. For full details, please visit our purchase terms.

Why do I have to re-enter my email address and name when I move to the online store? show

The GigaPan Store account is separate from your GigaPan Membership account. You will have to re-enter your email address and information when you enter the online store to make a purchase.

What shipping options do you offer? show

Prints are made to order. Please allow 2-4 days for print production and extra time for delivery. Shipping options are available via USPS, FedEx, and UPS.

How much will shipping cost? show

Once you place a product in our online shopping cart, click "Proceed To Checkout". Enter your payment information and continue to the next page to see the list of shipping options. Choose a shipping option to see your final price. (Note: for international orders, the buyer is responsible for tax/duty and import/brokerage fees. The shipping estimate does not include these).

How do I track the delivery? show

You can track the delivery through a confirmation email you will we receive after ordering the print..

Can I print a larger size than what is currently available on the order page? show

This is currently not available. However, we are moving toward larger print sizes in the future. Photographers will need to pay attention to image resolution so that they create images that are at or exceed 300 ppi.

What size are the borders around the printed image? show

Gigapan border sizes are ½ inch on all four sides of the image. A GigaPan logo is positioned in the bottom right hand corner of the border.

What will my image be printed on? show

All Prints smaller than 13 inches will be printed on the following paper:

• Noritsu Semi-Gloss Photo Paper
• A premium quality resin–coated photo base paper with a low glare instant dry finish
• Fast drying
• Excellent color brilliance and image definition
• High whiteness for a wide color gamut
• Basis Weight – 250 / Caliper – 10 Mil

All 13 inch prints will be printed on the following paper:

• 8Mil Satin Photo Paper
• A premium quality resin-coated photo base paper with a low glare instant dry finish.
• Fast drying for high productivity
• Compatible and water resistant with dye an pigmented inks
• Excellent color brilliance and image definition
• High whiteness for a wide color gamut
• Handles high saturation without cockle
• Can be hot or cold laminated
• Basis Weight – 210 Grams / Caliper – 8.5 Mil / Opacity – 97% / Brightness – 95 / Whiteness – 83

All prints larger than 13 inches will be printed on the following paper:

• Epson Premium Luster Photo Paper
• This is one of our highest performing photo papers
• Features the same Luster E surface (orange peel) of traditional silver halide prints
• A favorite among professional photographers
• Basis Weight – 260 Grams / Caliper – 10 Mil / Opacity – 97% / Brightness - 97

Can I choose other papers or fabrics? show

We currently only have semi-gloss print paper available.

Can I get wallpaper? show

This is currently not available. We are exploring wallpaper options.

How do I mount my print on the wall? show

We recommend contacting a local framing store that can help you determine framing options.

How many pixels per inch are the images printed at? show

There are approximately 300 pixels per inch for all sizes other than the 24 inch prints. The 24 inch photos will print at approximately 180 pixels per inch.

Can I crop the image before printing? show

This is currently not available. We respect our photographers’ artistic rights and do not provide an option to crop their images.

I don’t like how my print turned out. What options do I have? show

Image quality is inherently subjective and GigaPan is not responsible for any originating image quality issue. GigaPan will fulfill the print order as the image exists on our website and is not responsible for quality issues, errors, or omissions.

Hardware, Software, and Accessories Shipping

What shipping options do you offer? show

We ship via USPS and UPS and offer a variety of choices offering both speed and value. To see a shipping quote, place a product in our online shopping cart, then click "Proceed To Checkout". Enter your name and shipping address to see a list of shipping options.

How fast will my GigaPan arrive? show

All models are currently in stock, and orders usually ship the next business day. We offer a variety of shipping choices offering both speed and value, including overnight shipping in the US.