photogrammetry

Photogrammetry is the gathering of measurements in the physical world by way of computer analysis of photographs and is a recognized scientific tool and field of study.

Photogrammetry can be used to capture measurements of fixed points to estimate measurements of the photographed subject even in 3D. As in reality capture or reality computing, it may also be used to estimate the 3D motion pathways of a subject, be it the movement of vehicles or biological organisms.

The photographic images (two or more) are analyzed and, depending on the required purposes the computer, may use references points to create a 3D model or use a combination of reference points, motion blur, physics or even biomechanics. After using algorithms to process the gathered data, the results can be amazingly accurate.

The increasing accuracy of photogrammetry can also be used by researchers to check the accuracy of computer algorithms used to make predictions for the movements of vehicles as well as those algorithms made for physical simulations and biomechanics.

Photogrammetry can also save laborious modeling of background assets and sets for 3D games and motion pictures when realism is desired. It can also capture the colors of the subject translating them into the texture map of the model to further save time in creating assets for games. Photogrammetry can also be used as a starting point for stylised assets. While fast and convenient, photogrammetry and other forms of reality capture can reduce the need for human workers.

NVidia’s RealityCapture is a photogrammetry based program that can create 3D models that is free to use though its texture mapping features only work on.