Understanding 360 VR Photos: Formats, Proprietary Issues, and Editing Tips

The world of 360-degree virtual reality (VR) photography is fascinating, offering immersive experiences that transport users into new environments. One of the most common formats for 360 VR photos is equirectangular projection, a 2:1 aspect ratio image that maps a 3D spherical image onto a 2D plane.

The Common Format: Equirectangular Projection

Equirectangular projection is a widely used format for 360VR photos. It provides a full 360-degree view horizontally and 180 degrees vertically, making it a popular choice for both capturing and displaying panoramic scenes. These photos are typically saved in standard formats like JPEG or PNG, which are widely supported across various devices and software.

However, while the equirectangular format itself is not proprietary, certain software or platforms for viewing or editing 360 VR photos may have proprietary elements. For instance, specific VR headsets or applications might use unique file formats or compression methods for optimization. Nevertheless, the fundamental equirectangular format remains widely adopted and supported.

Alternative Formats: Cubemap

While equirectangular projection is the most prevalent format, there are alternative methods for representing 360VR photos. One such format is the cubemap, which uses six square images to represent the six faces of a cube. Each face of the cube corresponds to one of the six directions in 360 VR (up, down, left, right, front, and back).

Cubemaps can offer certain advantages over equirectangular projection, such as better handling of terrain and reflections. However, equirectangular projection generally provides a more seamless and intuitive viewing experience, making it the most common choice for general use.

Editing 360 VR Photos: Non-Proprietary and User-Friendly

Editing 360 VR photos is straightforward, as they are essentially regular JPEG files with some special metadata attached. The metadata tells the VR system that the image is a 360-degree photo, enabling the correct wrapping and display.

While you can edit these files using any image editing tool, including simple ones like Microsoft Paint, it's important to preserve the metadata. Some tools might accidentally remove this metadata, causing issues in the VR environment. Fortunately, there are free tools available that can add the necessary metadata back to the file. A quick search for “360 VR meta data” will yield several options.

As Rushikesh Bhapkar notes, the actual storage method for the image can vary. The most common is the equirectangular format, which features a 2:1 aspect ratio and is warped in such a way to seamlessly recreate the 360 view. This is particularly noticeable when examining features like floor tiles, which appear square in the original image but are continuously warped to create the 360 effect.

It's also worth noting that 360-degree video, like 360 VR photos, is not usually proprietary. The most common format for 360 VR video seems to be MP4, often combined with equirectangular projection for optimal display.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the common format for 360 VR photos is equirectangular projection, a 2:1 aspect ratio image that is widely supported and user-friendly. Alternative formats like cubemap exist, but equirectangular remains the most prevalent. Editing these photos is straightforward, and while some tools might cause issues, it’s easy to fix with the right tools and metadata. As technology continues to evolve, the accessibility and flexibility of 360 VR photography will undoubtedly continue to grow, offering even more immersive and engaging experiences.