The presentation of 'Creating a Panoramic' using MICE demonstrated what can be achieved using simple software.
However Microsoft Image Composite Editor is no longer available from Microsoft since it was archived.
If you would like to use the original version of MICE, this is the link to download the software from a reliable source -
DOWNLOAD
Alternative Panoramic Software
Having investigated other available software, I have found that the following alternatives fit the bill, although they may be more complex to use, some more than others.
Click to see - Windows Panorama Alternatives
Image Composite Editor (ICE) is an advanced panoramic image stitcher created by the Microsoft Research. Given a set of overlapping photographs of a scene shot from a single camera location, the app creates a high-resolution panorama that seamlessly combines the original images. ICE can also create a panorama from a panning video, including stop-motion action overlaid on the background. Finished panoramas can be shared with friends and viewed in 3D by uploading them to the Photosynth web site. Panoramas can also be saved in a wide variety of image formats, including JPEG, TIFF, and Photoshop’s PSD/PSB format.
Unfortunately this software has been archived by Microsoft so we'll have to find an alternative for future use.
Since Microsoft Image Composite Editor is no longer officially available, there are several great alternatives for Windows that offer similar panoramic stitching capabilities.
Some of the best options include: (not all are completely free)
Click to see - Apple Panorama Alternatives
If you're looking for an Apple equivalent to Microsoft Image Composite Editor, there are several alternatives available for macOS and iOS.
One of the most popular options is Hugin, which is a free and open-source panoramic image stitcher.
If you're using an iPhone or iPad, 360 Panorama is a well-known alternative that provides panoramic stitching capabilities.
ArcSoft Panorama Maker 6 Panorama Software for both platforms
Download ArcSoft Panorama Maker 6 Software
What are the key features of ArcSoft Panorama Maker 5 Pro?
ArcSoft Panorama Maker 5 Pro offers several powerful features for creating panoramic images:
- Multiple Panorama Modes – Supports horizontal, vertical, 360°, and tile (4x4) panoramas.
- Automatic Image Selection & Stitching – Automatically selects and orders images for seamless stitching.
- Manual Adjustments – Allows manual alignment of stitching points and adjustment of the stitching path.
- Media Management – Includes a built-in media browser for organizing and previewing panoramas.
- Support for RAW Files – Works with JPEG images and some RAW file formats.
- Export Options – Can output panoramas as images or dynamic media formats like QuickTime, PTViewer, and Flash.
- Fast Processing – Offers quick stitching and saving times for high-resolution panoramas.
AutoPano Giga is Now Available Free for both platforms
AutoPano Giga is a powerful panoramic stitching software with several advantages:
- Automatic Image Detection – It can automatically detect which images belong in a panorama, even among thousands.
- Advanced Stitching Algorithms – Supports rectilinear and fisheye images for seamless stitching.
- HDR & Exposure Fusion – Allows blending of HDR images and exposure adjustments.
- Batch Processing – Can process multiple panoramas at once, saving time.
- Masking & Ghost Removal – Provides manual and automatic ghost removal for cleaner images.
- Wide Format Support – Works with over 400 input formats, including RAW files.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility – Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Free Version Available – Since Kolor closed in 2018, AutoPano Giga is now free to download.
f you want to create stunning panoramas with ease, you need to try AutoPano Giga. This software was developed by Kolor, a company that specialized in image stitching and virtual tours.
Unfortunately, Kolor closed its doors in 2018, but they left a generous gift for their loyal customers: a free license for AutoPano Giga.
AutoPano Giga is a powerful tool that can automatically stitch multiple photos into a seamless panorama. You can adjust the projection, the horizon, the color balance and more. You can also create 360° panoramas and export them to various formats.
For a completely automatic workflow, Autopano only requires the user to press four buttons:
- Select Images, from the main toolbar, which puts a group of images on the left.
- Detect, appearing above each group of images, to detect panoramas and make them appear on the right.
- Render, either for a particular panorama or for all of them, which makes the Render dialog appear.
- Render, again but from the Render dialog, to confirm quality and output options.
Hugin – A free and open-source panoramic imaging tool, available for both platforms
Hugin - Panorama photo stitcher - Hugin Download
Hugin is a fantastic open-source tool for panoramic image stitching, offering several advantages:
- Free & Open-Source – No cost, and actively maintained by the community.
- Advanced Stitching Algorithms – Uses powerful techniques for seamless panoramas.
- Supports Multiple Projection Types – Cylindrical, spherical, and more.
- Manual Control – Allows fine-tuning of control points for precise stitching.
- RAW Image Support – Works with various image formats, including RAW.
- Batch Processing – Can handle multiple images at once for efficiency.
- Cross-Platform – Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
