Versatility in 3D: Techniques for Every Industry
Photogrammetry has revolutionized how industries interact with physical spaces, objects, and environments. Its ability to transform photographs into precise 3D models is more than just a technical feat—it’s a gateway to endless applications, from creative endeavors to analytical precision. What makes photogrammetry so versatile is its adaptability to specialized use cases, each requiring unique processing methods tailored to industry needs.
Industry and Specialisms
Real Estate and Property Development
In real estate and property development, photogrammetry is often used to create virtual property tours, allow for site visualisation, and create land surveys. In doing this, it often requires a specialisation in low-poly optimisation, georeferencing, and the creation of crisp, photorealistic textures.
Low-Poly Optimization: Simplifying models for online and mobile app compatibility without sacrificing detail.
Georeferencing: Integrating 3D models with real-world coordinates for site planning.
Texture Enhancement: Ensuring photorealistic surface textures for virtual walkthroughs.
Architecture and Construction
When used in architecture and construction, photogrammetry can help with design validation, monitoring project progress, and structural analysis. It might involve a specialisation in creating Building Information Models (BIM), developing topographical or contour maps, or edge refinement.
BIM Integration: Converting photogrammetry models into Building Information Modeling (BIM) formats for seamless architectural workflows.
Contour Mapping: Generating accurate topographical maps for construction planning.
Edge Refinement: Emphasizing structural lines for design clarity.
Film, Gaming, and XR
Games, mixed-reality, and film are now all using photogrammetry models to produce realistic environments and props. For utilisation in these areas, models typically must undergo processes such as retopology, texture baking, and preparation for dynamic lighting scenarios so that they can be integrated into game engines such as Unreal or Unity.
Retopology: Cleaning and optimizing 3D meshes for real-time rendering in game engines or XR applications.
Texture Baking: Applying high-quality textures onto simplified models to retain visual fidelity.
Dynamic Lighting: Preparing models for interactive environments with adjustable light settings.
Heritage and Culture
Archaeology, heritage, and culture are also taking advantage of photogrammetric modeling for a variety of use cases. These include digitally preserving historical assets, assisting with site surveys, displaying sites and objects through virtual exhibits, and even restoring or conserving artifacts. For these purposes, specialisations may be required in high-detail capture, multispectral data integration, mixed reality software development, orthographic survey, and 3D printing.
Ultra-High Detail Capture: Focusing on minute details for delicate artifacts.
Multispectral Data Integration: Incorporating data from thermal or UV imaging to reveal hidden features.
Mixed reality software development: Enabling interactive exploration of historical sites and objects through augmented, virtual, or mixed reality software.
Orthographic survey: Creating perspective-free images of surfaces for accurate measurement.
3D printing processing: Preparing 3D models so they will print cleanly.
GIS and Land Management
Within Geographic Information System (GIS) and land management, photogrammetry can be used to assist with environmental and agricultural monitoring and urban planning. Specialisations may include orthophoto creation, terrain monitoring, and vegetation index analysis.
Orthophoto Generation: Producing georeferenced 2D maps from aerial photogrammetry data.
Terrain Monitoring: Measuring terrain changes for applications like erosion tracking or stockpile management.
Vegetation Index Analysis: Adding NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) layers for agricultural health assessment.
Civil Engineering and Infrastructure
In civil engineering and infrastructure, photogrammetry can be used for roadway design, bridge inspections, and utility mapping. Specialisms may include point cloud simplification, preparing models for structural integrity simulations, and linear mapping.
Point Cloud Simplification: Creating lighter datasets for quick analysis without losing structural details.
Structural Integrity Simulations: Using 3D models for stress testing and maintenance planning.
Linear Mapping: Capturing and processing long, narrow sites like roads or pipelines.
Product Design and Manufacturing
Product design and manufacturing use photogrammetry to assist with prototyping, reverse engineering, and quality control. In this industry, specialised processing may include intricate precision capturing, CAD-compatible exporting, texture-free models, and processing for 3D printing.
Sub-Millimeter Precision: Capturing fine details for small objects or intricate designs.
CAD Export: Converting photogrammetry data into CAD-compatible formats for direct use in manufacturing.
Texture-Free Models: Focusing solely on geometry for industrial design purposes.
3D printing processing: Preparing models so that they will print cleanly and accurately.
Environmental Conservation
Environmental conservation often uses photogrammetry for wildlife habitat mapping, ecological studies, and climate change or disaster assessment. Specialisms may include change detection modeling, hi-res terrain mapping, and collaborative model sharing.
Change Detection Models: Comparing models over time to identify environmental changes.
High-Resolution Terrain Maps: Supporting conservation efforts with precise topographical data.
Cloud-Based Sharing: Providing stakeholders access to 3D models for collaborative analysis.
Advertisement and Online Interactions
When photogrammetry is used for advertisement and other online interactions, it can create engaging content for e-commerce, websites, and virtual showrooms or museums. Specialisms may include high-fidelity texturing, web optimization, and interactive viewer integration.
Photorealistic Texturing: Enhancing models with high-quality textures for vibrant, true-to-life visuals.
Web Optimization: Reducing file sizes and optimizing 3D models for smooth online interactions and faster loading.
Interactive Viewer Integration: Preparing models for display in 3D viewers, enabling consumers to explore products in immersive detail.
Why Specialized Techniques Matter
Photogrammetry’s versatility hinges on its adaptability to specific outcomes. By tailoring the capture and processing methods to the intended application, professionals can ensure that the deliverables meet both technical and aesthetic requirements. Whether it’s creating hyper-realistic game environments or generating precision data for engineering, specialized techniques like retopology, orthophoto creation, and texture optimization make all the difference.
Partner With Experts for Precision Results
At Veratex, we understand that no two projects are the same. Our team combines technical expertise with industry-specific knowledge to deliver photogrammetry results that meet your exact needs. From creative endeavors to scientific analysis, we have the tools, techniques, and experience to bring your vision to life.
Contact us today to discuss how our photogrammetry services can transform your next project.