How to edit a 360° photo for free with Gimp on Windows.

Gimp is a free Windows software for image editing. Let’s see how to use it to edit a 360° image.

It’s a good alternative for modifying 360 photos taken with the Insta360 camera. Once the photo is exported in 360 mode from the Insta360 Android app, the photo is in JPEG format. It’s actually an “equirectangular image” or “equirectangular projection”. It’s actually an “equirectangular image” or “equirectangular projection”.

The image can be imported into Gimp on Windows to remove elements from the photo, blur a face, etc. Just like working with a regular image, then save with the modifications in JPEG format.”

What is an equirectangular image ?

An equirectangular image, also known as an equirectangular projection, is a flat representation of a panoramic or spherical scene that has been projected onto a plane using an equirectangular cylindrical projection. This projection is commonly used to represent 360-degree images, panoramic images, or immersive virtual environments.

In an equirectangular image, horizontal lines represent lines of latitude, while vertical lines correspond to lines of longitude. This projection captures a complete view horizontally at 360 degrees and vertically at 180 degrees. It’s a popular format for panoramic photographs and 360-degree photos.

When you look at an equirectangular image, it may appear distorted and stretched, but it can be properly interpreted when using software or a device capable of unwrapping this projection into a panoramic or immersive view.

Source : ChatGPT

Follow these steps to edit your 360° photo in Gimp :

1. Download and install Gimp https://www.gimp.org/downloads.
2. Open the 360 photo in Gimp. File Open or Ctrl + O.
3. In the Layers Panel, at the bottom right > Select the first Layer > Right-click > Duplicate Layer.
   • If the layer doesn’t appear, press Ctrl + L or Windows > Dockable Dialogs > Layers.

4. In the Layers Panel > Select the first Layer > Right-click > Add Alpha Channel.

5. Ctrl + A to select the entire image > Right-click on the image > Filters > Map > Panorama Projection.

6. Check the On-canvas controls box > Position the image in the area to be edited using your mouse.
   • Save the “Pan, Tilt, Spin, Zoom” values by creating a new preset, clicking on the “+” icon. This information will be needed later.

7. Edit your image, for example: remove a tripod, a person, or an element from the image using the “Clone” tool.
8. When you’ve finished your edits, Right-click > Filters > Map > Panorama Projection > Select the previously saved preset > Check the “Inverse Transform” box > OK.

9. In the Layers Panel > Select the first Layer > Right-click > Merge Down.

10. Save the edited 360 image with Ctrl + E or File > Export As ….

Credits :

The explanations are taken from the YouTube video : GIMP – Edit zenith and nadir on equirectangular image.

Translation of : Gimp – Editer une photo 360° gratuitement sur Windows.