PhotoModeler, measuring and modeling the real world

PhotoModeler is an application of EOS System, created with the LeadTools SDK, the best I’ve seen, you can create 3D objects and scenes from photographs with the technique called photo modeling. Before I spoke of a mdl that works with Microstation, but in this case we are talking of a complete program that apart from the modeling includes scanner functionality.

The procedure

The principle of the photo model is based on a sort of “reverse perspective”, in which it is considered that any picture taken maintains certain perspective parameters that can be invested for the objects construction in three dimensions.

The basic geometry, with which it is built much infrastructure are simple geometric figures such as parallelograms, cones or pyramids. It can be assigned measures to these geometries from lines, benchmarks and regular figures that make up these geometries such as rectangles, squares, circles or regular polygons then it is possible to create three-dimensional figures. As additional data, there are added the views that an object usually have (front, bottom, left, right, top and bottom) and the known measures.

The result

The program includes most common AutoShapes, with which you can assign to a flat image both points, such as faces, lines, and of course distances so the object take a real scale.

The more pictures you have, different angles, actual measurements and high resolution then it is possible to obtain better precision conditions. Although the program includes a wide range of features from the cameras or capture conditions that can be set for best results.

The next one is to choose which type of display quality is expected, ranging from vector lines up to textures that can be assigned to surfaces. You may then export to dxf for use with other commonly used programs.

Applications

These programs can be applied to:

• Architecture
• Preservation of historic buildings
• Mining
• Electromechanical
• 3D modeling and animation
• Forensic Science

According to information, there are certain features to work with orthophotos, which means you might have a use in photogrammetry, but seems not to have been its core customer.

Modular scale

The application has at least three modular scales, ranging from $ 995:

• PhotoModeler

This includes functionality to create vector objects from photographs, and property settings of the camera and basic human figure modeling.

• PhotoModeler Automation

This adds the ability to create templates from models, to print the object so that it can rebuild physically. It is also possible to automate some routines.

• PhotoModeler Scanner

In this version there are options for creating densified surfaces and more complex figures.

You can see more information on PhotoModeler page; you can download a demo version, which includes examples and many features, but not all.