360 Video - Stills Prep Tool

360 Splat Prep: Transform Your 360 Video to Photogrammetry Stills and Gaussian Splats!

Are you looking to convert your 360 videos into high-quality stills for photogrammetry and Gaussian splatting workflows? 360 Splat Prep is the tool designed to simplify and optimize your 360-degree video processing!

🚀 Why Choose 360 Splat Prep?

360 Splat Prep is built for creators, 3D artists, and creators who want to extract the maximum potential from their 360 video footage. Whether you're using equilateral (lat-long) video from any source or dealing with complex VR footage, this tool will streamline your workflow.

With just a few clicks, you can transform immersive spherical videos into evenly spaced stills, ready for photogrammetry and Gaussian splatting. Plus, it’s compatible with industry-standard software like Reality Capture and PostShot.

Update for v1.5

Version 1.5 delivers significant performance improvements for both frame extraction and splitting operations. Also introduces mask opacity control for better preview visualization.

Benchmark Results (5K resolution, 360 video)

• Frame Extraction (195 frames)
  • - v1.44: 2m 54s
  • - v1.5: 1m 12s
  • - Improvement: 58% faster
• Splitting Operation (195 frames → ~1,552 tiles)
  • - v1.44: 9m 57s
  • - v1.5: 2m 46s
  • - Improvement: 72% faster

Quick Workflow Update for v1.44

Quick Workflow Video for v1.4

Longer In depth Workflow Video using v1.3 for new users

The Tool

🛠️ 360 Video Splat Prep Tool

Process 360° videos into perspective frames for 3D splat reconstruction and VR/AR workflows.

The 360 Video Splat Prep Tool lets you extract frames from equirectangular 360° video and split them into perspective views with customizable field of view and overlap settings. It's optimized for workflows like Gaussian splatting, photogrammetry, and immersive content creation.

Key Features:

• ⏰Time/Frame Extraction Mode - You can now choose between two extraction methods:
  • Time Mode - Extract frames at time intervals (e.g., every 1 second, every 0.5 seconds)
  • Frame Mode - Extract every Nth frame from your video
• 🎯 Vertical & Horizontal Masking. Mask yourself from your 360 footage. Adjust Mask width, height, and position with real-time preview. Includes a new "Quick Vertical Mask" Preset for instant results.
• 🧊 Alpha Transparency Preservation: When extracting frames as PNG, users can now edit frames in an image editor or script to add transparency (remove people, etc.), and the transparency will be preserved through the splitting process.
  • Note this feature: Only works with PNG format (JPG doesn't support transparency). Preserves user-added alpha channels in split tiles. Combines user transparency with mask settings (if used) when both are present!
• 🎮 Cubemap Export Export your 360° content as Cubemaps for VR/AR applications: - Cross layout - Compatible with Unity, Unreal, Facebook 360 - Strip layout - Compact 6-face horizontal arrangement - Option to save individual cube faces
• 📌 Smart Frame Selection Process only the frames you need! Use patterns like "0001, 0005, 0010-0015, 0020" to skip unnecessary frames. Perfect for testing workflows or creating specific outputs.
• 📁 Drag & Drop Image Folders Skip video extraction entirely! Drag folders of JPG/PNG images directly into the app. Great for: - Working with pre-extracted frames - Processing exports from other software - Resuming interrupted workflows
• 🎚️ Frame Navigation New frame slider lets you browse through all extracted frames with real-time grid preview. See exactly what you're about to process.
• ⚡ Performance & Stability - Safe abort functionality (no more crashes!) - Optimized preview rendering for 8K/11K footage - Improved progress tracking - Better memory management
• 🔧 Drag and Drop, Persistent Settings - Drop files anywhere in the app - Window size/position remembered - Improved tooltips in all 6 languages - Smart compression estimates

Cubemap Support

From Postshot

Some Test Captures using the tool using an Insta360 One X at 5.7k resolution.

Extracted around 4500 images, around 6mins to Capture.

From Postshot and the aligned cameras. Double walking the paths really helped because of the masking you need that extra overlap.

Interior and Exterior of a Church

✨ Key Features:

• Universal Compatibility: Works with any equilateral (lat-long) video exported from popular 360 cameras and software.
• Works with any equilateral (lat-long) images saved as PNG or JPG, browse to the folder or drag and drop the images onto the app.
• User-Controlled Overlap: Precisely control the time overlap between stills, allowing for better photogrammetry alignment and more accurate point cloud creation. Assumes the capture is shot at a consistent speed.
• Automated Frame Extraction: Generate evenly spaced still images from your 360 video with customizable intervals.
• Flexible Masking Control: Fine-tune vertical and horizontal masking directly into the alpha channel of the image, giving you control over the amount of transparent areas.
• Optimized for Photogrammetry: Create perfectly formatted stills that integrate seamlessly with Reality Capture and PostShot.
• Gaussian Splatting Ready: Produce image sequences optimized for Gaussian splatting, making your point clouds and textured models clearer and more detailed. Details are limited to the source material.
• High-Resolution Output: Maintain original video resolution with overlap, making it suitable for professional applications.
• Multi-Language Support: Available in English, Japanese, Chinese, German, French, and Spanish, making it accessible to a global audience.
• Intuitive Interface: User-friendly design with clear options and tooltips, making it accessible for both beginners and pros.

💼 Who Is It For?

• 3D Modelers and Photogrammetry Experts: Create 3D environments from 360 video data.
• Filmmakers and VR Content Creators: Extract keyframes from immersive footage without losing quality.
• Researchers and Surveyors: Transform spherical recordings into detailed data points.
• Hobbyists and Enthusiasts: Explore new creative possibilities with your 360 videos.

🔧 How It Works:

1. Drag and Drop your equilateral (lat-long) video or images on to the app. Export from Insta Studio as 360 Video, H265, grade if need be. Assumes you shot video on tripod or selfie stick above your heard for best results.
2. Choose your video extraction settings: Frame rate and Frame Distribution.
3. Preview the video into Splits: The tool automatically splits your video into stills according to your settings with user-controlled overlap and flexible masking out of camera person.
4. Export: Export the split stills for use in Reality Capture, PostShot, or other 3D reconstruction software.

🌟 Why 360 Splat Prep?

Unlike other generic tools, 360 Splat Prep is specifically tailored to handle the challenges of processing 360-degree videos for advanced workflows. Whether you're creating stunning VR environments or conducting precise 3D reconstructions, this tool saves you time and delivers consistent, high-quality results.

🔧 System Requirements for 360 Splat Prep

To get the most out of 360 Splat Prep, ensure you have the following software and tools installed:

1. FFmpeg (Required)

• Purpose: Used for video processing and frame extraction.
• Version: Latest stable version recommended.
• Download: FFmpeg Official Website
• Installation Guide: Follow the instructions on the website to install FFmpeg on your system. Make sure to add FFmpeg to your system's PATH for command-line usage.

2. Reality Capture (Optional)

• Purpose: Photogrammetry software for creating 3D models from still images.
• Version: Latest stable version recommended.
• Download: Reality Capture Official Website
• Usage: Integrates seamlessly with stills generated from 360 Splat Prep for model reconstruction.

3. PostShot (Optional)

• Purpose: Used for processing spherical video and creating high-quality stills.
• Version: Latest version preferred for optimal compatibility.
• Download: PostShot Official Website
• Usage: Combine processed images from 360 Splat Prep to further refine or enhance your photogrammetry workflow.

💻 System Specifications:

• Operating System: Windows 10/11 (64-bit) recommended
• Processor: Intel i5 or better (multicore recommended)
• RAM: 8GB minimum (16GB or more recommended for large projects)
• Storage: At least 5GB free disk space
• GPU: Dedicated GPU recommended for heavy photogrammetry tasks

## 🙋‍♂️ FAQ

• Q: What's the best Preset to extract images for Gaussian Splatting?
  • A: It often depends on the footage you want to use it on and your hardware. I find I tend to use the Preview Presets the most and find them a good balance between the number of splits and the amount of distortion. Try some tests out and see what works for you.
• Q: How should I shoot my 360 video.
  • A: Make sure you watch the longer workflow videos as I go into export settings for Insta360. One general tip is not to have the camera on automatic as it varies the exposure during the capture which can cause artifacts when viewing the final Gaussian Splat. You generally want to have low ISO and sharp images so your lighting conditions and camera settings will play a huge part in the final result.
• Q: How should I export my 360 video from Insta 360 Studio.
  • A: Make sure you turn direction lock on and make sure you extract as a 360 video.
• Q: How do I reset the tools settings?
  • If you experience issues or want to reset to defaults
    • Close the application
    • Navigate to your home directory
    • Delete .360processor_settings.json
    • Restart the application
• Why Use Frame Mode?
  • A: Perfect for slow-motion footage from drones or action cameras: Extract all frames by setting to 1 - ideal for 60fps+ videos. Extract every other frame by setting to 2 - reduces 60fps to 30fps. Extract every 3rd frame by setting to 3 - reduces 60fps to 20fps etc.
• Q: How do I remove myself from the Gaussian Splats?
  • A: Use the "Quick Vertical Mask" Preset or manually adjust vertical mask settings while watching the preview.
• Q: Why can't I see a preview of my video?
  • A: The preview is only previewing the extracted frames so you just need to extract some to see the preview!
• Q: Can I process only specific frames?
  • A: Yes, enable "Split Selected Frames Only" and enter frame numbers/ranges like "0001, 0010-0020, 0050" or 1-5 10, 11, 12.
• Q: What's the difference between Cross and Strip Cubemaps?
  • A: Cross layout is standard for most VR platforms (Unity, Facebook 360). Strip is more compact for storage.
• Q: How much disk space do I need?
  • A: Roughly: Video size × 50 for PNG extraction, × 100-200 for splitting with small FOV values.
• Q: What video formats are supported?
  • A: MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, and WebM. Most 360° cameras export to MP4, which is fully supported.
• Q: Can I use JPG images from my camera?
  • A: Yes, you can drop a folder of JPG or PNG images directly into the app. The splitting process will output PNG tiles for maximum quality.
• Q: Why is my antivirus warning me about this file?
  • A: Some antivirus software uses heuristic detection, which means it looks for behaviour that might be risky, even if the file is not malicious. You can Safely restore or whitelist the file in your antivirus. I've checked it with 2 different virus checkers and found no issues.
• Q: I get a "Windows protected your PC" or "This app can't run on your PC" Error?

• When you download 360 Video Processor, Windows might show a security warning. This is completely normal for new software and doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the program! Windows shows this message because:
• The software is relatively new and hasn't been downloaded by 1000s of users yet. We're an independent developer, not a large corporation. The program isn't digitally signed (this costs hundreds of dollars per year)
• Is it safe to run?
  • Yes! 360 Video Processor is safe to use. The warning appears simply because Windows doesn't recognize it yet. As more people use the software, these warnings will decrease over time.
• How do I run the program?
  • Method 1: Unblock the file (Recommended)
  • Right-click on the downloaded .exe file
  • Select Properties
  • Look for a checkbox that says "Unblock" near the bottom
  • Check the box and click Apply
  • Click OK
  • Now double-click the file to run it normally
• Method 2: Run anyway
  • Double-click the .exe file
  • When you see "Windows protected your PC", click "More info"
  • Click "Run anyway"
  • Method 3: If nothing appears to happen
  • Sometimes Windows blocks the program silently:
  • Check your Downloads folder
  • Right-click the .exe file → Properties → Unblock → Apply
  • Try running it again
• Method 3: Run as Administrator
  • Open the App as an Admin. If the app lacks certain rights, that may be why it displays the above error. In this case, launch the app as an administrator to fix the problem.
  • To do that, right-click the app on your desktop or Start Menu and choose "Run as Administrator."
• Will this happen every time?

• No! Once you've unblocked the file or told Windows to run it, you won't see the warning again for that file. If you download an update, you might need to do this once more for the new version.
• Why don't big programs have this issue? Large companies pay for expensive "code signing certificates" (think of it like a verified checkmark). As an independent developer providing free software, we've chosen to keep the tool free rather than pass on these costs to users.
• Remember: This is a standard Windows security feature, not a problem with the software. 100s of users run 360 Video Processor without any issues.

🌐 Language Support:

To make the tool accessible to a wider audience, 360 Splat Prep supports the following languages:

• Japanese

• Chinese

• German

• French

• Spanish