I visited South Eastern Utah this spring to capture in photos some of the natural geology like Arches National Park and also some of the amazing archeological sites from the ancient pueblo cultures from about 800-1500 year old.
I took a series of photos using my Nikon D7000 and a point and shoot Panasonic camera. Using the recently released free download of Project Photofly version 2 I was able to convert the photos into a 3D Photo Scene which is a 3D model constructed of 3D point and even a textured 3D mesh. The 3D photo scene was created from 110 photos and took NO manual point selection by me it was automagically converted to a 3D model using mathematical algorithms in Project Photofly.
Here you see the 3D Photo Scene in Project Photofly’s Photo Scene Editor.
Here you can see the close up view of the created a 3D mesh.
Video animation of the House on Fire ruin photo scene created in Project Photofly
http://bit.ly/jvMh8G
I then want to take the 3D data into AutoCAD 2012. I select the Export Scene As option then select the Point Cloud format .LAS. Note the DWG format does not export the mesh it only exports any manually created points and lines.
Now in AutoCAD I use the Index Point Cloud and then Attach option and now have a nice point cloud generated from my consumer digital camera in AutoCAD.
Close up of the point nodes in AutoCAD. Point nodes represent 3D space y,x,z coordinates. 
I then can use the point cloud as a reference to snap to nodes to get dimensions, or perhaps use to reference in a design for a walkway or a barrier to protect the fragile archeological ruins to protect them from people walking and degrading the site.
Some Project Photofly References:
Autodesk Labs Project Photofly v2 A to Z in 7 minutes: http://fb.me/vgyPHFJ2
Project Photofly v2 Shooting Guidelines
http://autode.sk/is2ive
My quick overview video of Project Photofly v2
http://autode.sk/lgwKBC
Getting Started Guide (PDF)
http://autode.sk/iGVloq
In a future post I am writing I will talk about comparing Photogrammetry technology based product like Project Photofly and a laser scanner technology. One does not replace the other as they are really quite complimentary and each have unique strengths. Advancing technology and democratizing the ability for people to capture reality around them is good for all. I am also working on a Tips and Tricks blog post for Project Photofly.
Cheers,
Shaan
Interesting post Shaan, thank you. – And wild software. Question: I see that you noted that Project Photofly and a laser scanner technology are different and complimentary. It is my understanding that point clouds created by 3D laser scanners take into account the horizontal and vertical angles between the item being scanned and the scanner itself. By doing so, horizontal and vertical distortion are removed, and a true scale point cloud results. …So I’m guessing that Project Photofly doesn’t account for distortion, and is therefore good for rough 3D models, but couldn’t be used as true scale 3D technical drawings (e.g. engineering drawings, etc.)?
Brian,
I will go into more detail in a future post but you can get very accurate scaled vertical and horizontal axis geometry using Project Photofly although depning on your photos and lens perhaps not as high point density as a laser scanner, but fine for most uses especially if you do not have access to a laser scanner. There are algorithms that take into account distortion as well you can place manual calibration points and reference dimensions for known geometry. Give Project Photofly a try.
Regards,
Shaan
Shaan,
Hmm, this is getting more interesting. Part of what I do for a living is creating 2D AutoCAD building elevation drawings for facade repair projects. Typically semi-scale drawings are what is required by the AEC professionals that I service. For any given building, taking a few field measurements and photos enables me to create such a 2D drawing back at my PC. There is occasionally the situation, when a more detailed 2D drawing is required. For instance, like the phone call I received this week from an Architect looking for detailed 2D drawings of a mildly ornate church here in NYC. So… Could Photofly be realistically implemented in such a scenario, to create 2D drawings, as a substitute for 3D laser scanning?
Sincerely,
Brian
PING:
TITLE: Autodesk Project Photofly Tips and Tricks
BLOG NAME: Between the Lines
Project Photofly is a free early Autodesk Labs technology preview that allows anyone with a digital camera to create 3D models from photographs. Project Photofly is two parts one the cloud computing technology and the second the desktop application nam…
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TITLE: Project Photofly Produced Video of Kiva Ruin
BLOG NAME: Between the Lines
Last week I was in Southeastern Utah in the Cedar Mesa region which is one of the most rich archeological regions in the United States with sites remaining today dating back 5000 years from the Ancient Pueblo and Basketmaker cultures. This first exampl…