Microsoft launches today the complete version of its free Photosynth software, which up until this point was only available as a demo from the company’s Live Labs. In the company’s official presentation, this is how the software works: “Photosynth analyzes each photo for similarities to the others, and uses that data to estimate where a photo was taken. It then re-creates the environment and uses that as a canvas on which to display the photos.”

The service allows users to upload their photos and then stitches them into a 3D environment, creating a 360-degree visual experience called a “synth”. The whole idea is to offer a new panoramic stitching tool, smarter and easier to use than any other similar product. All the photos can be easily viewed by zooming in and out, moving around with the mouse or keyboard.

The company set the online storage limit to 20 Giga Bytes, which will surely please many of its subscribers. The photo upload is easily done and for now it is only available for Windows users working on Internet Explorer and Firefox. Microsoft explained that this is only a temporary phase and it will soon release an updated version, as it is considered a top priority to soon ensure compatibility for Mac users.

David Gedye, Photosynth group manager, is extremely happy with the development process that demanded close to two years of hard work, saying that the service represents a brand new media type which is linked to photos, computer games and video and that he is eager to receive the general public’s feedback on the team’s work. There is actually no reason to believe that Photosynth might not become a huge success, as it provides a series of wonderfully combined innovative features such as the user-controlled navigation, cinematic qualities and high detail, all working on a platform that sustains up to 20 GB of photos, thus offering numerous possibilities.

For now, all the photos will be publicly available and depending on their resolution, the storage space could allow more than 20,000 pictures. The upcoming updated versions might include the option to create private synths.

Microsoft offers details about the photo upload, which demands a bit of planning in order to ensure a successful sinth. Apparently, users should take two to three times the pictures that they would normally take (all the way up to 300) to make sure that the system will find continuity between the photos and the texture analysis will put everything into place. The program offers information on the level of “synth” that can be reached with a certain set of photos, demanding a minimum of 20 pictures. If the level is past 50 percent, you can be sure that your gallery can provide an extremely enjoyable viewing session. Reaching a 100 percent “synth” level means that there is some sort of path or connection between every single one of the photos uploaded.

Users can also leave photo comments, which is always fun and useful.

Once the software will become available for all users and privacy controls will be updated, Photosynth might just become a worldwide hit.