Introduction
Photogrammetry consists of processing a large number of photographs of an object from a variety of angles into a 3D mesh. This guide provides a basic introduction to the use of Meshroom, a free and robust photogrammetry software.
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Photogrammetry is far less accurate and precise than any of the other scanners available at Terrapin Works
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If another scanner is available and the object fits within its appropriate use-case, use a designated 3D scanner.
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Objects not reasonable to scan with designated 3D scanners, like buildings, trees, or other large objects may fit within the use case for photogrammetry
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Photogrammetry also works for objects with textures not amenable to the other 3D scanning technologies, like plants.
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Successfully constructing a 3D mesh of an object from photogrammetry requires capturing dozens of pictures from all relevant angles.
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The term all relevant angles typically means a 360 view of the object, but for a target where all the important features are on one side - like a human face - only focus on that area.
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The field of view for adjacent photographs should overlap by at least 50%
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Make sure you have access to take a picture of the object from all relevant angles
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Try to keep the lighting on the object as uniform as possible
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Keep the background as featureless as possible
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Try to reduce deep shadows on the object
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Take photographs across the range of relevant angles on multiple planes
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Make sure each photo overlaps by about 50%
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Take pictures on a maximum depth of field
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Attempt to reduce photographic aberrations, including motion blur, lens flares, over/under exposure, and poor focusing
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Save all photos as high resolution images. Compressed photos can create artifact features that Meshroom may mistake for real objects.
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Catalog of all images taken
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Display of selected image
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Display of generated mesh
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Mesh settings
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Processes used to convert images to mesh
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Save all of the pictures in a single folder, then drag-and-drop the folder into meshroom
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Click on any individual image in the image catalog to view it at full resolution
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Check all images are clear, focused, and centered
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Click the start button to run the algorithm that converts images to mesh files. Note that this process may take a while and use lots of CPU resources.
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As the algorithm runs, it will begin to build a mesh. Once the algorithm finishes running, press the load model button
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Track progress with the processes window at the bottom. The orange bar indicates the step currently operating
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After clicking the load model button, a mesh file is automatically exported. Click the open containing folder button to see it.
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