Equirectangular projection

Before
After
Before: Unmapped equirectangular image (360x180). After: Projected image.

Equirectangular images, typically 360x180 panoramas, can be mapped to a live projection in Affinity Photo 2 and edited whilst they are being projected. This allows for instant feedback of detailed retouching, brush work and masking—all operations that would be difficult on an unmapped equirectangular image.

Edit Menu To edit an equirectangular image in live projection:
  1. With an equirectangular image layer selected, from the Edit menu, choose Projections>Equirectangular Projection.
  2. The image layer will then enter live projection.
  3. Tap and drag to navigate around the image until you settle on an area you wish to edit.
  4. Using the appropriate tools, make your edits.
Edit Menu To pan around an image in live projection:
  1. If you choose another tool when panning in live projection, you will temporarily leave live projection.
  2. To pan around the image again:
    • From the Edit menu, choose Projections>Equirectangular Projection.
Edit Menu To add additional layers in live projection view:
  1. Whilst in live projection view, you can add content to the projected image such as text, images and brush work on new layers.
  2. Add your new layer content. For example, you could add some Text at the Nadir (bottom pole) with a copyright notice.
  3. Position and rotate the layer as you wish using the Move Tool. You can also match perspective by using the Perspective Tool.
  4. With the new layer selected, from the Edit menu, choose Merge>Merge Down. This will merge and rasterize the layer into the main equirectangular image layer.
  5. Once the content is merged, you can pan around the live projection by moving to the Edit menu, choose Projections>Equirectangular Projection.
Edit Menu To exit live projection and convert the image back to equirectangular mapping:
  1. Converting your image layer back to its original equirectangular mapping will allow you to export and share it—some image hosts support 360 image projection, or alternatively you can implement a Javascript/WebGL-based viewer on your own web pages if you wish.
  2. To clear the live projection, select your image layer, then from the Edit menu, choose Projections>Clear Projection.

Examples

Editing in live projection view
Removing the tripod at the Nadir (bottom pole) using the Inpainting Brush.
Before
After
Before: The original equirectangular image. After: Using live projection to compose a scene from a certain area of the 360 image.