Best Photogrammetry Software (2024) for beginners and pros

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I’ve witnessed photogrammetry’s power firsthand. This technology turns ordinary images from different angles into breathtakingly accurate 3D models. This method is used by NASA and Google Earth to create realistic 3D models of major cities with elevation and topography data. How they get this detail is mind-boggling. Epic Games makes some of the most immersive video games. Their games look lifelike thanks to photogrammetry, which takes a fraction of the time to manually construct sophisticated 3D scenes.

Since photogrammetry makes their games so realistic, I’ve been impressed. I’m most fascinated by how photogrammetry captures our world. It’s not just for things or people—it’s ideal for reconstructing enormous terrains, landscapes, and places that are difficult or impossible to scan in 3D. Drones have expanded photogrammetry’s uses. We can use it, as can surveyors, architects, engineers, and others. I’ve seen how easy it is to build 3D models with a smartphone and Kiri Engine. Simply taking a few images creates a detailed 3D representation.

The accessibility has spurred exciting industry advancements. Thanks to smartphone self-scanning, merchants can let customers digitally try on eyewear and apparel. Imagine having a 3D model creator in your pocket. Let’s not forget gaming. Players can scan themselves to become characters in their favorite games. Photogrammetry allows for an immersion I never believed possible. It’s fascinating to see how new technology is making our environment more immersive and accessible.

What to Look for in Photogrammetry Software

The programme automatically finds shared spots between pictures and calculates their 3D distances. A point cloud can be converted into a 3D mesh. Some advanced systems include point cloud cleaning tools to improve quality. Photogrammetry is typically the only option for broad areas, however it is less accurate than laser or structured light 3D scanners. Their specialty is color and texture. Photogrammetry software requires plenty of large photo files to perform effectively. Data processing can be fast or slow depending on the program.

Best Photogrammetry Software Comparison Table

There is a wide variety of software available for photogrammetry, each of which comes with its own individual set of capabilities. There are a variety of programs available that can accommodate your requirements, regardless of whether you want to make a map or a three-dimensional model of a real-world object. Here’s the table with rows and columns exchanged:

Feature	Operating system	3D model output formats	Point cloud output formats	Supported image formats	Website Link
3Dflow 3DF Zephyr	Windows, macOS, Linux	OBJ, PLY, LAS, ASCII, KML, KMZ, IFC, DWG	LAS, ASCII, E57	JPEG, TIFF, PNG, BMP, RAW	Visit Website
AliceVision	Windows	OBJ, PLY, E57, ASCII, LAS	LAS, ASCII	JPEG, TIFF, PNG, BMP, RAW	Visit Website
Agisoft Metashape	Windows, macOS, Linux	OBJ, PLY, LAS, ASCII, KML, KMZ, IFC, DWG, DXF, FBX, 3DS	LAS, ASCII, E57	JPEG, TIFF, PNG, BMP, RAW	Visit Website
Correlator3D	Windows, macOS, Linux	OBJ, PLY, LAS, ASCII, KML, KMZ, IFC, DWG, DXF, FBX, 3DS, DEM, DSM, DTM	LAS, ASCII, E57	JPEG, TIFF, PNG, BMP, RAW	Visit Website
Bentley Systems ContextCapture	Windows	OBJ, PLY, LAS, ASCII, KML, KMZ, IFC, DWG, DXF, FBX, 3DS, DEM, DSM, DTM, 2D TIFF, 2D JPEG	LAS, ASCII, E57	JPEG, TIFF, PNG, BMP, RAW	Visit Website

Best Photogrammetry Software

In this section of the post, we are going to talk about the many different free software options that are now available for photogrammetry.

3Dflow 3DF Zephyr

Feature	Description
Photogrammetry	Advanced photogrammetry capabilities
Mesh Reconstruction	High-quality 3D mesh reconstruction
Point Cloud Processing	Precise point cloud processing
Texturing and UV Mapping	Texture mapping and UV unwrapping for realistic models
Multilingual Support	User-friendly interface with support for multiple languages
3D Printing Compatibility	Seamless integration with 3D printing workflows

In my own life, I’ve had the privilege of working with a great piece of photogrammetry software called 3Dflow 3DF Zephyr. This program is capable of transforming commonplace photographs into extremely precise 3D models. This piece of software is really intuitive, and the process of producing 3D reconstructions from photos is made much easier by the powerful algorithms that underpin it. It has proven to be an exceptionally helpful resource for me in my work, whether I am engaged in archaeology or architecture.

AliceVision

Feature	Description
Structure from Motion (SfM)	Robust structure from motion algorithms
Dense Multi-view Stereo	Accurate dense multi-view stereo reconstruction
Mesh and Texture Mapping	High-quality mesh and texture mapping
Open Source	Fully open-source software
Extensive Documentation	Comprehensive user documentation
Integration Support	Integration with other photogrammetry tools

The open-source computer vision framework AliceVision has been an absolute game-changer for the 3D modeling and virtual reality projects that I’ve been working on thanks to the fact that I’ve had the chance to work with it. It is a wonderful tool for researchers, developers, and amateurs like me who wish to explore the realm of 3D reconstruction from 2D photos because of its versatility and compatibility with various hardware setups.

Agisoft Metashape

Feature	Description
Photogrammetry	Advanced photogrammetry capabilities
Dense Point Clouds	Generation of dense and accurate point clouds
Mesh and Texture Mapping	High-quality mesh and texture mapping
4K Video Support	Processing of 4K video frames for reconstruction
Geographic Coordinates	Georeferencing and coordinate system support
Python Scripting	Customization through Python scripting

In the course of my work involving photogrammetry, Agisoft Metashape, which was once known as Agisoft PhotoScan, has proven to be an invaluable tool. It enables me to construct high-quality 3D models, point clouds, and orthophotos using photographs taken from aircraft as well as from the ground. In my experience, this software has shown to be an absolute necessity, particularly in the disciplines of geospatial mapping and the preservation of cultural assets.

Correlator3D

Feature	Description
Aerial and Satellite Imagery	Processing of aerial and satellite images
Lidar Data Integration	Integration of Lidar data for 3D reconstruction
Change Detection	Detection of changes in 3D models over time
Orthomosaic Generation	Accurate orthomosaic creation
Geospatial Analysis	Advanced geospatial analysis capabilities
Cross-platform Support	Compatibility with multiple operating systems

Correlator3D has proven to be the program of choice for me when it comes to the processing of aerial and satellite photos. My work in environmental monitoring, urban planning, and precision agriculture has benefited greatly from its ability to generate very accurate 3D terrain models and orthomosaics. This capability of the software sets it apart from other similar programs.

Bentley Systems ContextCapture

Feature	Description
Reality Modeling	Comprehensive reality modeling capabilities
Lidar Data Integration	Seamless integration of Lidar data for accuracy
Scalable Infrastructure	Scalable infrastructure for large projects
Geospatial Context	Geospatial context preservation
CAD Software Integration	Integration with Bentley’s CAD software
Cloud Collaboration	Collaboration through cloud-based workflows

The Bentley Methods My toolset isn’t complete without ContextCapture; it’s essential for projects involving civil engineering and infrastructure. It creates detailed 3D models of real-world landscapes by utilizing the power of images and point clouds as their primary building blocks. My work would not be nearly as effective without the use of this program, which enables me to create accurate representations that contribute to improved decision-making and analysis for these projects.

Key Features to Look for in Photogrammetry Software

• Compatibility with Images: The software should be able to work with a wide variety of picture formats, including widely used formats such as JPEG, PNG, and TIFF, as well as RAW files produced by a variety of cameras.
• Photogrammetry that is done automatically: Keep an eye out for batch processing, feature detection, and camera calibration as these are some of the automation capabilities that can help speed the photogrammetry process.
• The Formation of Point Clouds: The generation of point clouds is a crucial function that enables the software to convert photos into a three-dimensional point cloud, which serves as the foundation for the creation of three-dimensional models.
• Generation of Meshes: The point cloud information should be able to be used by the software to generate three-dimensional meshes, also known as polygonal models. Check to see that it has a variety of meshing algorithms to accommodate the needs of different projects.
• Texture mapping refers to. Texture mapping gives you the ability to apply images or textures to a 3D model, which helps to make the model appear more realistic. You should look for software that provides tools and settings for texture mapping.
• Correctness and exactness: The software that is used for photogrammetry should produce accurate and precise results. Examine the software for functions such as support for ground control points, georeferencing, and error analysis tools.

Choosing the Right Photogrammetry Software

• Write down your photogrammetry goals: Make your project’s goals and needs very clear. Figure out what products you need, such as 3D models, orthomosaics, digital surface models (DSMs), or something else.
• Check Your Level of Skill: Think about how much you know about photogrammetry and other connected topics. Some software is easier to use and good for newbies, while others are more difficult and need more advanced skills.
• Size and difficulty of the project: Think about how big and hard your photogrammetry projects are. There is software that works best for small projects and software that works best for big, precise projects.
• Getting an image: Think about the kinds of pictures you’ll be using, like pictures taken from above, pictures taken by a drone, or pictures taken from the ground. Make sure that the software works with the picture sources you’re using.
• Spending plan: Figure out how much you can spend on photogrammetry software, taking into account any licensing fees and possible training costs. There is open-source software that is free, and there is software that costs a lot of money.

Questions and Answers