ImageModeler®
ImageModeler 3.5 - Mac OS X tool for creating 3D models from a series
of photographs is recommended for architects and engineers looking to
add a photogrammetry software application to their toolset, Architosh,
July 21, 2003
REALVIZ ImageModeler 3.5 is the solution to measure and create 3D scenes
using photographs.
Using advanced algorithms, REALVIZ ImageModeler 3.5 extracts 3D information
from stills to help you measure the 3D space created and construct accurate
3D models with highly realistic textures. The resulting model can be exported
in your favorite authoring package.
The way to create 3D accurately and highly realistic models using
photographs.
– Completely redesigned interface for simplified workflow.
– New calibration engine for faster calibration.
– New Ruler Tool for point-to-point measurement (in metric or English
system).
– Additional Tools in the Modeling toolset including Bevel, Extrude,
Path Extrude, Split Polygon, Mirror and Snap allow you to create even
the most complex models.
– New World Space Tool allows you to interactively define the Coordinate
System.
– New unfold mechanism feature creates a single texture per object
or group of polygons.
Key Features
Workflow
– New workflow-driven interface
– New interactive calibration
– Exports to the latest versions of authoring software
– New world space tool
– New measurement tools
Modeling
– Extrude, Path Extrude
– Interactive bevel Tool
– Split polygon
– Mirror object
– Merge objects
– Snap and Pin Primitive tools
Texturing
– Extract textures directly from photographs
– Unwrap objects for single-map textures
– Global texture controls
– New material transparency export
Export formats
– Maya® Images Files
– 3ds maxTM
– Macromedia® Shockwave® 3D
– LightWave 3DTM
– Softimage® | XSITM
– Softimage® | 3D
– AutoDesk® DXF
– Alias|WavefrontTM OBJ
– REALVIZ® Ascii Camera, Ascii Point Track
Import formats
– Cineon files
– JPEG Files
– Maya® Images Files
– PNG Files
– PNM Files
– SGITM Image Files
– Softimage® Pictures Files
– TGA Files
– TIFF Files
Minimum System Requirements
– Microsoft ® Windows® NT 4.0 SP3 - 2000
– Intel® Pentium® II 350 MHz or equivalent.
– 1024x768 24-bit minimum display resolution, OpenGL® compatible.
– 256 MB RAM.
– 25 MB free disk space required.
How / Workflow:
1. Take different photographs of your scene or object
2. Using ImageModeler:
a. Calibrate your scene and cameras
b. Reconstruct the existing elements in your photographs using modeling
tools
c. Extract the textures directly from the photographs
d. Export to achieve your final results
- Post-rendering : Art-Lantis, 3ds max, Maya, Softimage
- Animation : 3ds max, maya, Softimage
- Real time : VRML, Shockwave 3D
- Conservation/ Survey/Measureaments : DXF, STL, DWG (in AutoCAD®
Edition)
ImageModeler for X
ImageModeler is a fully native Mac OS X application. The interface is
fully Aqua compliant and quite handsome in appearance. The main window
features a tabbed interface over the display area (3D workspace area).
This tab structure directly reflects the actual "workflow" for
working in ImageModeler. You start your project by "loading images"
(the first tab on the left). Then you move on to "calibration",
"measurement", "modeling", "texturing" and
eventually to "export". As you move through this workflow (tabs)
under the tab bar area are tool buttons unique to the particular process
you are in (eg: calibration). A Tools Properties dialog box sits on top
of the Scene Browser (all to the right of the display area).
Below the display area consists of Display Settings and the Assistant
palette -- a palette which provides direction for using each tool. (see
images 001 - 002) Because of the complexity of the calibration, measurement,
and modeling of data -- all over photographic images -- ImageModeler provides
a fully customizable colors preferences for all of the lines, markers
and axis you will utilize in the display area. As a side note, we also
advise that you do not use black & white photographs unless the subject
is simple and of definite contrasting values. Color simply helps in the
placement of markers during calibration.
ImageModeler is not an easy application to learn. It is not as easy to
figure out as say an Apple iApp like iMovie or iPhoto, yet it is somewhere
between there and an application like Final Cut Pro or formZ. Having the
Assistant Palette was a godsend in a number of "not-so-obvious"
situations. Even then, occasionally the application was difficult to figure
out. A specific instance of this is setting the "world space"
axis using the program's tools to do this. Overall the application has
a reasonable learning curve, but if you buy the program for a photogrammetry
or modeling project of a complex shape, plan on giving yourself a few
weeks to master the program and work out "trial-and-errors"
in your project photography.
The Essentials: Mastering the Photography Part
When working with the program we learned the hard way that you must take
the correct photographs in order for calibration to have a chance at being
successful. Because trees often block the views of buildings, they can
also block the view of specific "ideal" locations on the building
for the placement of markers (more on that in a minute). ImageModeler's
documentation discusses this subject, but its own tutorial of a simple
building with aerial photography misrepresents the true difficulty of
photographing a more complicated building in preparation for ImageModeler
work.
The Process
Once you have taken good pictures the process of bringing them into ImageModeler
is very straight forward. You have the ability to load images and to specify
the camera's technical characteristics (focal length for instance) (see
images 003-004) If you have to shoot a building with different lens (say
a 24mm wide angle and a 50mm lens) you can specify which images are shot
with which lens. This helps the calibration process.
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