Colleagues,

We would like to announce the release of a new tool for image- based
light analysis. Hdrscope is a Windows based, user friendly tool that can
process and analyze High Dynamic Range (HDR) photographs and rendered
images from Radiance Lighting Simulation and Visualization software. The
analysis techniques focus on per-pixel luminance analyses. It is free
and can be downloaded from: http://courses.washington.edu/hdrscope/

Hdrscope features a combination of existing and novel tools and image
processing techniques. The fundamental algorithms and programs running
behind the scenes within hdrscope are derived from Radiance software,
and new features are added. One of the most exciting capabilities is the
ability to isolate and analyze a region or two regions of interest from
an image; the regions can be defined using a rectangle, circle or a
closed polygon interactively. Luminance values, ratios, descriptive
statistical calculations, percentile ratios, criterion rating, and
luminance contrast are reported. The software also provides a front end
to Evalglare. It allows for calibration using luminance measurements, or
illuminance measurements taken at the camera level for fisheye images.
It provides an automated image capture tool for selected Canon cameras
to take multiple exposure photographs. ?Single aperture / multiple
shutter speed? option is used for general image capture; and ?two
apertures / multiple shutter speed? option is provided to capture the
sun and the sky. We recommend Photosphere for image assembly.

The work behind the software formed the basis of my student?s
(Viswanathan Kumaragurubaran) Master of Science thesis in Architecture
at the University of Washington (Seattle). If you have any questions,
feedback, or comments, please let us know (hdrscope at uw.edu).

Regards,

Mehlika Inanici