Best Photogrammetry Softwares in 2023

Continuous evolution is the demand of development. As such, the next big step in multimedia and digitalization is the coming of Photogrammetry. This novel trend not only transforms our 2D image into a 3D media but also includes parameters of measurements, for creating an informative and coordinated 3D image. What is this technology exactly, and how can it be used in a project, are the aspects that this article covers.

Photogrammetry

Photos are captured from different locations and angles to ease calculations that assist analysts to put together the data they’re looking for.

Photogrammetry is a technique that involves extracting reliable and required data of real-world objects in the environment by creating 3-dimensional models from images. Information about an object can be gathered from its photos.

This data can then be used for map-making and 3D representation of real-world scenes. The term ‘photo’ refers to ‘light’, ‘gram’ refers to ‘drawing’, and ‘metry’ refers to ‘measurements’, which collectively implies that photogrammetry is a technique that utilizes images to gather measurements that can be used to create drawings and models.

The different types of photogrammetry are aerial, terrestrial, and space. The photographs here are of vertical and tilted categories. The forms of photogrammetry are as well two: interpretive and metric (planimetric and topographic).

Applications of Photogrammetry

By-products of photogrammetry consist of orthomosaics, digital surface models, and digital terrain models. Orthomosaics refers to a birds-eye view of a topography that alters for distortion and can span varied landscapes. The digital surface model includes surface level objects like buildings and trees, whereas the digital terrain model includes elevated features like the height of bare earth. There are versatile applications of photogrammetry in several industries.

• Land Surveying – Includes data necessary for safety measures and potential project results, including construction crews, building planners, and architects
• Engineering – drone photography and 3D renderings
• Real Estate – to get a 3D view of plots, homes, mansions, et al
• Military – making geo-locational models, aerial imagery, and 3D models
• Pharmaceutical – remote sensing technology for diagnosis
• Entertainment – 3D modeling and special effects
• Forensics – document and measure precise data of a crime scene apart from understanding the possible courses of action
• Construction and Mining – 3D models to monitor and plan worksites with safety
• Sports – to assist trainers to get to monitor the athlete’s motion; topographical maps for outdoor sports like skiing, hiking, etc.
• Agriculture and forestry – use of aerial photography for viewing soil quality; analyzing forest areas

Best 5 Softwares for Photogrammetry 2023

With a growing interest in photogrammetry, there is an extensive cluster of software that can be put to use. Each one of them has its own way of functioning and distinctive characteristics.

1. Pix4D - Tourism

The company ‘Drone Orange Co (DO2)’, in Seoul, has an office in Jeju. They implemented the use of photogrammetry for several projects, one of which comprised digitalizing parts of the tropical islands. The software used by the corporation to initiate the project included PIX4Dmapper and PIX4Dmatic, to recreate numerous sections of the islands. Through the 3D outputs given by PIX4mapper, 3D replicas of the iconic parts of the islands were created apart from VR dioramas. Using drone spatial data, the 2-way IT and AR location registration technology were made possible. To scale up the same, the company has put to use PIX4Dmatic which is capable of creating maps and 3D models of vast areas.

2. Civetta - Oil, Gas and Petrochemical

Weiss AG’s ‘Civetta’ is another 3D photogrammetry solution for the oil and gas industry. Certain case studies for the same are:

1. Seawell – employs 360° Digital Twin as a visualization tool to help the engineering organization in Houston perform work for the Norwegian organization for North Sea Installations
2. Shell Malaysia – uses Civetta to construct a 360° virtual tour for offshore design and deployment
3. Shell’s Enchilada offshore platform – uses Civetta to accomplish visual assessment for engineering design project planning, operations, safety inspection, visual orientations, and visual assessment.

3. KIRI Engine

A well-renowned photogrammetry software for a professional grade scan of 3D objects, friendly with iOS, Android, and the web. The tool also supports NeRFs i.e., neural radiance fields. It also spreads across a good deal of use cases – Gaming – Contributing towards the realism of game projects, the KIRI Engine app assists to create photo-real 3D assets 3D Printing – The tool provides an efficient way to acquire geometrical data for 3D printing VFX – Creators can capture 3D models beyond 3D scanning equipment

4. MicMac

MicMac is an open-source, free photogrammetry software, developed by the French National Geographic Institute (IGN) and the French National School of Geographic Sciences (ENSG). It is used in several 3D reconstruction scenes and scenarios. It comprises a wide range of extensive features. It is mostly used by professionals and academicians. It has fine-level dependability, precision, and unique capabilities including access to intermediate outcomes in open data formats, the ability to subjectively evaluate results, and a wide range of camera calibration models. MicMac furthermore braces datasets of unlimited sizes, apart from processing both scanned analog and push broom sensor images. It also produces 3D models and orthoimages. Places this software can be used are archaeology, forestry, environmental protection, cultural heritage preservation, cartography, et al. It offers scale from close range to aerial bodies (aerial footage). It proves to be a feasible solution for metrology and site surveying.

5. Agisoft Metashape

Previously known as ‘Agisoft Photoscan’, this stand-alone application consists of an assorted array of capabilities including, photogrammetric triangulation, editing 4D models, point cloud data, distance, volume, and area measurements, 3D model production, and texture. Its use cases span cultural heritage documentation, GIS applications, game development, and visual effects creation. The two versions offered by the software are – standard (very comprehensive indeed) and professional, with upgrades in processing times and capture quality. It is suitable for both close-range and aerial photogrammetry. An additional advantage of using Agisoft Metashape is that it uses community-driven data to improve its algorithms, meaning that the software would improve and advance, the more it is used. This would result in faster processing time and better capture quality.

Conclusion

Photogrammetry-based images are all in the air. It is an emerging tool for architecture, topography, and a lot more. There are a lot many platforms and applications available as of now, to land into and hover photogrammetry. The usability of a tool is moreover dependent on the individual or group of individuals, who want to put it to the test. In the end, the process parameter must coincide with the expected result, for a photogrammetric project to be accomplished successfully.