PhotoModeler Software

PhotoModeler Software

 

PhotoModeler Standard helps you create accurate, high-quality 3D models and measurements from photographs using your own camera.

 

PhotoModeler is the base product. PhotoModeler Premium contains all the capabilities of PhotoModeler Standard, and adds scanning and dense surface modeling (along with SmartMatch, Motion, Idealize, Geographic Systems, Volumes, Contours, and UAV/drone support).

 

PhotoModeler Standard, as the base product, is a powerful and affordable tool to build accurate models and get measurements from your photos. Use PhotoModeler Standard to build:

• CAD-like models of a wide variety of objects and scenes.
• Models using points, lines, edges, surfaces (photo textured or shaded) and other entities.
• Automated projects, using the included target detection features

 

PhotoModeler Standard is widely used in these areas:

 

Manufacturing, Refit, Rennovation

 

• measurements for kitchen and bath countertops
• stair measurement and modeling

boat and template digitizing
Public Safety, Accident Reconstruction, Forensics

 

• collision diagrams, vehicle crush measurement
• crime scene diagramming

security camera and single photo analysis
Architecture, Engineering

 

• modeling for visualization, massing, and view studies
• surveying existing structures
• reverse engineer equipment

stress and deformation analysis
Surveying

• architectural and industry surveying
• site surveying
• collision and crime scene surveying

PhotoModeler Premium provides the tools for you to create accurate, high quality 3D models and measurements from photographs. The process is called photo-based 3D scanning.

 

PhotoModeler Premium is a 3D scanner that provides results similar to a 3D laser scanner (with appropriate textures). This 3D scanning process produces a dense point cloud (Dense Surface Modeling, DSM) from photographs of textured surfaces of virtually any size.  PhotoModeler Premium is also perfect for many drone / uav projects. 

 

The PhotoModeler Premium software has all the capabilities of the base PhotoModeler Standard product plus the capability to do Dense Surface Modeling (DSM), 3D scanning, SmartMatch, Geographic Systems, and Motion capture. Because Premium can handle all the functions of Standard (such as coded targets, manual projects, etc.), if you have a mix of project types, Premium may be the best choice for you.

 

PhotoModeler Premium is a sophisticated tool to build accurate Dense Surface Models and get measurements from your photos. Use PhotoModeler Premium to build:

• Dense Surface Models where a large number of 3D points are needed.
• Models that traditionally would require a 3D laser scanner
• Drone and UAV projects such as volume measurement, ortho-photos, contours, etc.
• Perform measurements over time with the Motion capability.

 

PhotoModeler Premium is widely used in these areas:

Surveying, Construction, Mining, Geology

• cut / fills in road road and terrain construction
• mine volumes and mine rehabilitation
• cliff and rock face modeling

stock pile volumes
Forensics, Biology, Medicine

 

• foot print and bite mark scans
• morphological models and measurements

skull and bone models
Architecture

 

• model/measure artifacts, digs, caves, carvings
• morphological measurements

non-contact modeling of objects for curatorial purposes
UAV / Drone

 

• cut / fill
• ortho-photo mosaics / DEMs / contours
• volumes

See further UAS application examples
Archaeology, Curatorial

 

• model/measure artifacts, digs, caves, carvings
• morphological measurements

non-contact modeling of objects for curatorial purposes
Films, Gaming, Animation

• models of sets and artifacts
• photo-realistic texture maps
• idealizing photographs

What is Photogrammetry Software?

 

Photogrammetry is the science of extracting measurements (metry) from photographs (photogram). Photogrammetry has been around in some form since the second world war when photography started to take an import role in remote sensing.

 

With photogrammetry, you can measure and model the real world with a camera. Use your camera like an advanced tape measure, diagramming tool, and 3d modeler all in one!

 

Photogrammetry Software is a computer application that provides the tools for doing photogrammetric measurement – the loading of photos from your camera, and the production of accurate measurements, diagrams, and models from those photos.

 

Computational photogrammetry has been around since the early days of computers. The increasing power of computers, the introduction of the modern graphical user interface, and the introduction of the mouse in the 1980s and 1990s allowed computational photogrammetry to be run on everyday desktop computers. It was now a tool accessible to a wide audience.

 

Photogrammetry Applications

 

Traditionally, photogrammetry has been separated into aerial vs terrestrial (or close-range) but the recent advent of drones and UAVs and modern automated photogrammetry techniques has blurred that line.

 

PhotoModeler is the professional's choice for 3D modeling and measurement throughout many sectors and applications. To learn more about how PhotoModeler is used in specific sectors, you can review below eight applications:

 

Fabrication and Manufacturing Applications with Photogrammetry

 

Do you fabricate or manufacture a fitted or custom product?

 

Custom fitting, retrofits, and remodeling often require measurements and drawings of a remote location or a client site so that a part can be manufactured or fabricated to fit. Photogrammetry creates measurements and diagrams using a normal camera. Instead of having a complex and expensive device for field measurements for your retrofit or remodeling business, you only need a camera and a tape measure.

 

There are several applications for photogrammetry in manufacturing and fabrication. Here we refer to applications where measurements are made in the field and an object is manufactured at a factory to fit those measurements. That is, the custom fitting, refit, retrofit, or remodel application.

 

Benefits and Advantages

 

Compared to most other accurate field measurement technologies, photogrammetry (or camera-based measurement) has these major advantages:

• Little to no specialized equipment
• Lower cost
• Faster in-field measurement

 

Public Safety, Accident Scene and Forensic Applications

 

Use Your Camera to Diagram and Measure

 

PhotoModeler photogrammetry software provides accurate measurement and diagramming for many law enforcement, public safety, accident reconstruction and forensic tasks. A very fast, accurate and cost-effective method. Used by law enforcement and by forensic engineers. See the application areas below.

 

 

Applications

 

There are a number of applications for photogrammetry in accident reconstruction and forensics.

We have divided them into four categories.

 

 

Accident Scene Diagrams: generating diagrams and maps of existing scenes using your camera.

 

 

Vehicle Crush Measurement: measuring crush of vehicles from either your camera or from unknown cameras.

 

 

Crime Scenes: crime scene diagramming, 3D bullet trajectory determination, shoe and tire print scanning, and blood spatter measurement.

 

 

Surveillance Video: suspect height recovery, and diagrams from a single photo.

 

Engineering and Surveying Applications

 

PhotoModeler software has many capabilities and features that support the requirements of engineers, surveyors, and architects. Mechanical, civil and chemical engineers use PhotoModeler for a diverse set of measuring and dimensioning tasks. Surveyors use PhotoModeler to generate maps, volumes, cut/fills, and get key dimensions. Architects use PhotoModeler to generate as-builts, facade drawings, and assist with shadow, volume, and massing studies.

 

With PhotoModeler you can:

• Generate as-built drawings
• Perform high-density surface modeling
• Measure and Model existing installations and equipment
• Do reverse-modeling of mechanical parts
• Model cylindrical objects such as pipes and vessels without pre-targeting
• Perform dynamic measurements on equipment or processes
• Perform architectural, BIM, and preservation studies
• Export models for use in CAD programs
• Track deformation and other movement/shape changes with the Motion tool in PMS or PMU

 

Digitize 2D Patterns and Templates with a Camera

 

• Do you want to use CNC cutting in your textile business?
• Do you need to convert existing patterns into CAD?
• Are your current options not capable, expensive, inaccurate, or tedious?

 Yes? Take a look at PhotoModeler for your 2D pattern digitizing needs!

 

“I’d looked at other digitizing systems, and regardless of price, PhotoModeler was the better product. It is easy to set up, easy to use, has good integration with industry standard CAD packages – which eases the learning curve, and importantly, if the camera can be mounted high enough, a massive field of view. Our pattern capture workflow has been massively reduced in term of time and required skill sets! ”- John Bland, Managing Director, Tecsew Ltd.

 

 

Benefits of PhotoModeler for Pattern Capture

 

The PhotoModeler software provides a flexible, efficient and cost-effective method to digitize patterns and templates using a standard camera. Here are some of the benefits:

• Large templates/pattern capture. No special background or special mat needed. Move camera away to capture large patterns.
• Work how you want. Digitize manually or automatically in PhotoModeler, or export corrected images for digitizing in your favorite CAD package. Direct support for Rhino 3D. 
• Efficient. With a single photo, and a run of the software, obtain digital patterns in no time. 
• Accurate. PhotoModeler’s background is accurate photogrammetry. PhotoModeler understands the distortions that cameras cause and corrects for them. 
• Cost effective. A standard camera, and PhotoModeler Standard with the Pattern Capture Add-on is all you need. ¹
• Flexible. Capture patterns with a permanent camera in your factory, or capture patterns in the field (even with remote clients).
• Any material, any thickness. Digitize paper, plastics, cardboard, wood, and metal patterns, or even original fabric panels.
• View text and annotations. Capturing the pattern with a camera and PhotoModeler’s corrected image output, captures your text and annotations as part of the project.
• Non-contact. Once your pattern is down, there is no contact, so it won’t move or buckle.
• Easy remote digitizing. No need to send an expensive piece of equipment to your remote clients or field offices.
• Re-visits. Forget to digitize part of the pattern? No problem, just reload the photo you previously captured.
• Room to grow. The same PhotoModeler software can be used for full 3D modeling and capture when you want to skip 2D templating.

 Note¹ during the Beta Period, the Pattern Capture Add-on is included for free with PhotoModeler Standard and Premium. 

 

The Steps

 

PhotoModeler allows you to work in two different ways. A permanent setup with a camera mounted on the ceiling or wall, or a moving camera setup.

• Mounted Camera – Use this approach when you have a dedicated workspace and intend to digitize templates repeatedly. The setup phase is more involved, but the digitizing of each template is faster.
• Moving Camera – Use this approach for non-permanent setups, of it you intend to produce a single or small batch of template outlines. This approach has two variants, where the setup is reusable vs a single/one-off project.

 

The approaches for the mounted camera, and moving camera with reusable setup start the same. You first create a base project using PhotoModeler Coded Target sheets. This will calibrate your camera and your setup.  You then place your patterns, take a photo, load the 'base' project and digitize your lines or edges.

 

With the moving camera and temporary setup, there is no base project. Instead you place your pattern and the Coded Targets sheets all at once, take a number of photos from different angles, and then the photos and measurements can be used locally or sent to a remote site for the digitizing process.

 

It may seem complex but you will tend to use just one of the variants and won't have to worry about the others.

 

The Digitizing Step

 

The actually step of digitizing the outlines, lines, or edges of your pattern can be carried out one of three ways. One of these will work for you.

1. PhotoModeler produces a corrected photo (called an ortho-photo) where all distortions are removed.  This photo is exported to your favorite CAD package (there is a direct export for Rhino, but it works with other packages that support scaled background images). You then perform you digitizing steps in your CAD package to draw lines and curves on top of the visible corrected image. 
2. PhotoModeler performs its geometry calculations, and you manually outline the pattern in PhotoModeler using the Surface Draw Line and Curve tools. You then export this vector data to your CAD or CAM software to complete.
3. PhotoModeler performs its geometry calculations, and you use the semi-automated Auto-Trace tool in PhotoModeler to produce a set of lines. You then export this vector data to your CAD or CAM software to edit and complete.

 

In reality you can use combinations of these. You may wish to use Auto-Trace to do the work of digitizing the detail, and then export this data along with an export of the corrected ortho-photo, so you have the best of both worlds in your CAD package.  

 

Requirements and Cost

To use PhotoModeler for 2D pattern and template capture you will need:

• A camera (DSLR, mirror-less, point & shoot, or mobile phone) ²
• PhotoModeler Standard and Pattern Capture Add-on software ³
• A flat area to lay down your patterns
• Occasional access to a high quality b&w printer
• A Windows 10+ computer with 8GB+ memory

 

 Note²  If permanently mounting a camera you will want to look for a camera with a non-zoom lens, that can be powered and controlled at a distance, that has sufficient resolution, and where images can be transferred to your PC at a distance.

 

Geology Applications with PhotoModeler

 

There are a number of applications in mining, quarrying and geology for PhotoModeler and PhotoModeler Premium. PhotoModeler Premium provides a very cost effective and efficient method for modeling the earth surface, cliff and exposed rock faces, stockpiles, and tailing piles.

 

One can extract dense point grids (similar to a laser scanner). In addition surfaces, contour lines, and measurements can be done on the resulting point clouds. With input of external control data you can geo-reference the project and the outputs. Far more cost effective than using traditional surveying methods!

 

Measuring volumes of stock and waste piles is a good application as well.

 

UAS and Drone Applications

 

PhotoModeler is a great measurement tool when the camera platform is an unmanned aircraft system (UAS / UAV / drone). While UAS is not a specific application, this page pulls together a number of application areas in one place.

 

UAS are ideal for capturing large areas from above, as well as inspecting objects that are high off the ground. Modern UAS are more and more accessible with lowering costs and improving cameras - perfect for aerial photogrammetric measurement that PhotoModeler can provide.

 

PhotoModeler customers are using quadcopter, hexacopter, and fixed wing UAS from many different manufacturers.

 

Possible UAS applications with PhotoModeler:

• Stockpile shape and volume measurement
• Rock slope survey
• Accident Scene Mapping and Forensics
• Geological study
• Site damage inspection
• Bridge and roadway inspection
• Agriculture analysis
• Property, building and re-development survey
• Small area topo and contour mapping

 

 

Academic, Research, and Education Applications with Photogrammetry

 

Do you teach, do research in, or are a student of?

• Geomatics / GIS / Surveying 
• Forensics
• Metrology or Photogrammetry
• Biological Morphology Measurement
• Archaeological Surveying

Yes? PhotoModeler is the perfect tool for photogrammetry education and research in college and university.

 

Here are some of the benefits of using PhotoModeler for post-secondary education and research in photogrammetry:

 

• PhotoModeler is a powerful and flexible photogrammetry tool.
• PhotoModeler handles a wide application scope, from small object modeling, to terrestrial surveying, and to larger-area UAV/drone projects.
• PhotoModeler includes comprehensive manual tools which are great for learning basics, all the way to full automation, as would be used in industry.
• PhotoModeler UAS product contains all the capabilities of the PhotoModeler Standard and Scanner products.
• PhotoModeler includes some unique capabilities such as:
  • CAD objects
  • NURBS curves and surfaces
  • Point clouds and surfaces
  • Automated coded target detection
  • Motion tracking
  • Photo textures
  • Single photo support
  • Full geographic coordinate system support
  • Camera calibration

• PhotoModeler is programmable and scriptable.
• PhotoModeler has excellent educational pricing:

• Educators and students get an 80% discount off full price!
• Get PhotoModeler in a lab for up to 30 seats for the price of a single seat!

 

Film, Gaming and Animation with PhotoModeler

 

PhotoModeler is a powerful tool for creating 3D models for animation and multimedia applications and is used extensively in animation, film and video production (pre and post). With this award-winning modeling tool, you can export simply and easily detailed 3D models with photo-textures for use in 3D Studio, OBJ, and VRML formats for use in many programs like Maya, 3D Studio Max, XSI, Cinema 4D, etc.. As well computed camera position data can also be exported.

 

With PhotoModeler Scanner's Idealize capability you can remove all distortions from the original photos to provide highly precise background plates for further modeling work in your favorite modeling package. 

 

With PhotoModeler you can:

Build 3D models to use in animation and rendering programs Model objects for Computer Based Training Measure or model sets and locations Perform perspective matching to synchronize a CG camera to real photos/frames With Idealize remove distortions from background plates Export realistic texture maps from original photographs Create life-like photo-textured models with low polygon counts Create 3D models of existing objects for use on web pages

 

PhotoModeler is used successfully when 3D models and measurements are required, especially when high-accuracy, non-contact measurement is important.

 

PhotoModeler Software

 

PhotoModeler has a long history as a leading photogrammetric tool. PhotoModeler introduced the concept of a desktop close-range photogrammetry product to the world in 1993 and has been a leader in technology since. Many consider PhotoModeler to be the ‘father’ of modern desktop terrestrial photogrammetry.

 

Comparing PhotoModeler Standard and Premium

 

There are two products in the PhotoModeler line up:

• PhotoModeler Standard – suited to manual, CAD, Coded Targets, and single photo projects.
• PhotoModeler Premium – suited to dense surface modeling, and UAS projects – in addition to the manual and target projects described in Standard.

 

PhotoModeler Premium contains all the features of PhotoModeler Standard.

 

Which product should you use?

 

Note that if you have a mix of project types, Premium can handle all the projects that Standard can, making Premium the best choice

 

Your Field	Use Standard	Use Premium
Fabrication / Manufacturing	Yes
Forensics / Single Photo	Yes	When integrating with laser scan data.
Accident Reconstruction	Ground-based photography	Ground and UAV/drone photography
2D Template Pattern Digitizing	Yes, with Pattern Capture Add-on¹	Add-on included
Construction Cut / Fill		Yes
Volumes – stock pile etc.		Yes
DEM, Contours, Ortho-photos		Yes
Drone/UAV Projects	Simple, non-automated projects	Larger projects and need for geographic systems
Motion Tracking		Yes
Film and Animation		Yes
2D Template Digitizing	Yes
Research / Academics	Simple and Coded-Target projects	Everything else.