PhotoModeler 6 (First Look Review)

Highly recommended photogrammetry solution provides image-based modeling for accurate measurements and 3D models.

PhotoModeler 6 offers a wealth of new features. The goals for PhotoModeler 6 were the following:

• improve ease of use and workflow

• improve modeling tools and make certain objects faster and easier to model

• add numerous user-requested features

  PhotoModeler 6 Photogrammetry Software Pros: Capable and accurate image-based modeler; excellent interface; speedy. Cons: None significant. Price: $995 Eos Systems 604.732.6658

• improve the tools used to judge quality and debug problems in projects

• improve interaction with external CAD, rendering and mapping tools

PhotoModeler 6 is suited for many endeavors, including accident reconstruction, industrial and scientific measurement, AEC and preservation efforts, film and animation production and Google Earth projects.

In the area of AEC, for example, PhotoModeler 6 can be used to generate elevation drawings of existing buildings, perform measurements of structures, extract data from historical photographs or produce 3D outlines from one or more buildings for massing, sun and/or wind studies. PhotoModeler can export Google Earth KML and KMZ files, so users can lay their PhotoModeler models on top of orthophotographs to obtain the true location in Google Earth.

Although it's really intended as a highly accurate scientific tool, PhotoModeler is so well designed and offers such a rich set of features that it's useful for numerous pursuits, be they right- or left-brain functions.

PhotoModeler 6 photogrammetry software provides image-based modeling for accurate measurement and 3D models.

The minimum system requirements for PhotoModeler 6 are a PC with at least a Pentium 800 processor and 512 MB or more of RAM, running Windows 2000, NT 4.0 (SP6+) or XP. You'll need at least 200 MB of hard disk space for the installation, a CD-ROM drive and a display system capable of producing a screen display of at least 1,024 x 768 with 24-bit color. Sound hardware is required for the tutorials.

Included in the package is the PhotoModeler program, a built-in camera calibrator, multimedia tutorials, an extensive user manual and complete online help systems. Pricing for PhotoModeler 6 is $995, with upgrade pricing available for users of previous versions.

For more information about PhotoModeler, visit the Eos Systems Web site, where you can see how the product is being used for a wide range of applications. In addition to offering PhotoModeler as a stand-alone application, calibrated cameras are offered both separately and bundled with the software. At present, the digital SLR cameras offered are the Nikon D80 and the Canon Rebel XT.

A number of add-ons are available for PhotoModeler, as are training courses. A demo version is available for download, and it includes three sample projects with another eight available for download. The demo works with these 11 project files only, but it should give you a good idea of PhotoModeler's capabilities. A trial version that can load user photos is available from the vendor.

PhotoModeler 6 is a rarity -- a scientific tool that also lends itself to creative pursuits. With the new features and enhancements, v6 is a worthy successor to the previous release and, like that version, PhotoModeler 6 is a great tool. Highly Recommended.