Create 3D Models from Photos
12 09 2008By Joshua Koopferstock
If creating 3D models was as easy as taking photos, it is safe to say that the use of 3D would be far more widespread than it is today. From e-commerce to virtual tourism to casual games, reducing the cost and complexity of creating 3D models would have a widespread effect on multiple industries.
Feeling Software is making that possible. Over the last 2 years, we have worked to develop a technology that allows anyone to create 3D models with little effort and no training. Our goal: simplicity. You take a bunch of photos with a regular camera from any angle you please, and we automatically create a 3D model. The demo video below discusses our project in detail.
Feeling Software Demo from joshk on Vimeo.
We have thought of a variety ways that this technology can be applied to solve problems for consumers. For our readers, imagine that you could take photos of an object or scene, press a button, and instantly have a high-quality 3D model of that object or scene. If this technology were available today, how would you use it?
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Very interesting!
When and how will this sofware be available? what kind of licensing?
Hi guys, thanks for your comments. If you are interested in licensing this technology, please contact us by e-mail (enlighten3d@feelingsoftware.com). Currently we are considering several licensing and commercialization models for the Constructive technology.
Will there be a trial version? How much will the software cost?
Is that a really horrible point cloud I see there?
This is awesome! I would definitely be interesting in buying a piece of software like this. Any idea what it’ll end up costing?
The software is still under development and the pricing has not been determined exactly. In the end, the pricing will most likely depend on the application; if it is an application that will use this software 10 times a day, the pricing will not be the same as for someone who will use it once a month.
To those who left a comment, what kind of applications would you use this technology for?
Hi, I’m interest to be a betatester… is it possible?
[...] can make our biggest contribution to technological advancement (see our current R&D project to turn photos to 3D models). However, in the same way that computer vision scientists are trying to help machines understand [...]
uau….. I would definitely be interesting in buying a piece of software like this. Any idea what it’ll end up costing? I’m also interest to be a betatester… is it possible?
Hi João! Thanks for the interest. I am curious, how would you use this software?
I would love to test this software out to see how it could give me the competitive edge that i need for my job.
It would be neat to see if a software like this would be ideal to creat 3D tours of my apartment homes to allow online browsers see inside the apartments i am leasing! Can i test it out…or give you some pictures to see what you can make?
Hi Jay-O. The software is still under development, but I will refer back here when we are ready to recruit beta testers. What kind of work do you do? Are you a real estate agent?
When I first read an article about Photosynth, I thought that a Photosynth would result in what you’re demonstrating here - a 3D model based off of taking many photos… and I was disappointed to find that was not the case (their point cloud feature teases at the notion, though). Personally, I would use this technology for recreational and archival purposes - antiques, old toys, places visited during vacation trips, etc., things that I could share with friends and family across the globe in a novel way. I can see this technology being a really huge hit with realtors, museums, anthropologists, architects, and people in the 3D industry. I am definitely looking forward to your finished product. Take care.
Count me in for being a beta tester. I have been eagerly waiting for something like this for a long time now and want to help in anyway I can.
I am a woodworking sign guy trying to find a way to capture 3d objects and import them into my cnc software to adapt them into my signs or furniture pieces. I would love to beta test if you need someone in my field.
I use a software from vectric called aspire and they just improved there 3d sculpting tool.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Contact me and I share more of my ideas for using this.
Shane
I like the idea but I don’t think it would help me
I am adding 3D buildings to Google Earth and just taking photos is only a small part. The biggest time consumer is getting rid of trees, cars, people as well as perspective distortions (eg, the higher balconies on a tall building all need to be corrected).
Still I would buy it if it was simarly priced to, say, Sketchup Pro.
Someone is always one step ahead in development. I’ve been meaning to develop a similar program. However, time never seems to be available. I work for a robotics company. My concern was towards exact known position of the camera. I am quite impressed with the mathematical development of your program using arbitrary angles. I am relatively new to 3D-modeling, but if you are able to develop models in the current standard formats, please contact me at j1bravo6@yahoo.com.
We’re retired but our passions turned into a little business in our home and I play around with Lightwave and After Effects, etc. Lately I’ve gotten on a kick of modeling UFOs to interact with real scenes in the neighborhood.
(Back of my mind is one day making a short, er…)
Anyway I’m pulling my hair out trying to figure out how to align my polys for front projection.
Your software looks like it could help me.
I work for the department of corrections. I wood use it for making a model of the offenders and UV their photos to it. For ID purposes and to could keep track of their tattoos and if we needed to see them from different views.
This seems to be what I have been looking for for years. I will use it for creating 3D models of antique carvings (wood or stone) and from them produce files for my cnc 3D router and make reproductions. When do you expect It will be available?
My initial approach to this need was to use lasser 3D scanners, but must times I only have access to carvings for taking photos, not for scanning, and scanners are expensive and not really user friendly. So I quit the idea.
Do you think your software will be what I need?
My application is to create a 3-D object and print it out, ala papercraft and have models wear their own giant heads.
I have been searching for software similar to this for a business idea. However it must be accurate user friendly and cost effective. Please keep me informed of your progress. I would be interested in beta testing.
Kind regards,
Mike
I have an interest in this as an adjunct to my business. The application I see is to provide an immersive experience to potential customers, a first person area tour concept. Static models (buildings, etc) would have to be compatible with scene creation for web publishing and models compatible with rigging for animations
I am so distrustful of quick fixes.
I remember a similar product to your own called Canoma. It was owned by Metacreations and then bought by Adobe.
http://www.canoma.com/
Like many programs that provide a quick fix to a problem they never really do the job properly. In your example you have used 3d renders with flat lighting. You talk about using real photography but it is obvious you have not….with real photography comes real lighting…hard and soft. Your software will never be able to differentiate between light areas and solid mass. You will end up with a web of unwanted polygons and end up with a headache file that you spend more time cleaning-up.
People who wish to have a model created for them are best to approach an experienced modeller. After all if you want some plumbing done you hire a plumber or you can hire all the tools and have a go, and risk a flood. If you are that interested in modelling learn to use one of the many simpler modelling programs out there. Personally I think Cinema4d is a good place to start or Modo. There are many applications out there that will be far more
What happened to Canoma? Adobe dropped it like a stone. Your software may be clever but it will always be dependent on the reference it is given. Not everyone has a photography studio or is able to take quality pictures!
Sorry to be so negative. If Adobe thought the technology was not worth supporting then I would say follow there lead. I think our copy of Canoma was used once and then left to gather dust!
I am neither selling my services or selling any of the software I have mentioned.
Kind Regards
s.costello@asset-graphics.com