This document describes the PhotoModeler Standard and PhotoModeler Premium products. PhotoModeler is a Windows program that helps you extract measurements and 3D models from photographs. By using a camera as an input device, PhotoModeler lets you capture accurate detail in a short time.
PhotoModeler Premium has all the capabilities of PhotoModeler Standard plus the ability to scan surfaces to extract dense point clouds (see Dense Surface Modeling / PhotoModeler Premium). It also has tools intended for aerial photography based measurement projects (e.g. mines/stockpiles, agricultural monitoring, terrain surveys), with the ability to measure volumes, use imported geographic coordinates (points and camera positions) for processing and coordinate system setup, and generate project reports in .pdf format (see Unmanned Aerial Projects). It also can model an object over time (see Time-based Measurement / Motion Projects).
“PhotoModeler” will be used in this document interchangeably to refer to both the PhotoModeler Standard and PhotoModeler Premium products.
To use PhotoModeler, one or more photographs of a scene or an object are taken. The photographs are displayed on screen and the operator marks each photograph with the mouse, tracing and tagging features of interest. PhotoModeler then combines the data and locates the marked features in three dimensions. The marks become accurately measured points, lines, curves, cylinders, tubes, or surfaces in a single, unified 3D space. The result is a 3D model that can be transferred to any graphics or CAD program.
For an overview of the PhotoModeler process, refer to the section Overview of Producing a 3D Model.
The Tutorial Videos are the best way to learn PhotoModeler. There are a few concepts in PhotoModeler that are unique, and it is best to watch the tutorials before embarking on your first project. Our YouTube channel also has several tip videos addressing one topic each.