WHSoft -- Modeler

Modeler
Research in Image Based Modeling

Introduction:
Modeler is an early-alpha proof-of-concept program that has resulted from my research in image based modeling. All the work is my own; all algorithms are original. This program currently includes four original 3d discovery algorithms. Modeler is a Mac OS X only program. 10.2 or later is recommended.

Purpose:
The final goal of this project is to create 3d models of objects automatically. The user will take photographs of an object from several different angles, and the program will automatically figure out where the cameras were located and it will automatically create a 3d model--without any user input other than specifying the camera that was used to take the photograph.

Releases:
1.0a2 -- the first public release, 12/15/2002

This release includes:

Creation and management of camera types and camera instances.
User-assisted discovery of camera location and orientation
Automatic discovery of reference point location

1.0a2.1 -- 12/18/2002

This is a bug fix release:

Fixed aspect ratio in image array
Preferences window can now be closed

1.0a2.2 -- 12/18/2002

Fixes a debilitating bug that made it impossible to add images

1.0a3 -- 12/19/2002

This release includes:

Added the ability to define adjacent reference points (command-drag between).
Added the ability to move reference points (by dragging).
Added a field to show the error in the most recent computation.
If a reference point is changed in an image, it's location will be recalculated.

1.0a4 -- 12/31/2002

This release includes:

Added a general reference point editor in the main document window.
The stepper buttons in the Images Window now work.
The camera location discovery algorithm is no longer limited to the first four points.
Added the ability to NOT use certain reference points in camera location discovery.
The point triangulation algorithm is no longer limited to the first two images.
Removed the progress indicator in the Main Document Window, which did nothing.

Known Bugs:

Preferences do nothing
Import Image from URL does nothing
Documents can neither be saved nor opened
Nothing can be deleted once added
Point Triangulation gives off-the-wall values in some instances
Camera Location Discovery gives off-the-wall values in some instances
New Camera sheet is visible when it shouldn't be under certain conditions

Future Plans:
alpha stage:

1.0a5    -- camera calibration (increased accuracy of everything)
1.0a6 -- render simple surfaces to represent these objects
1.0a7    -- fix camera controls in renderer
1.0a8    -- render images on the surfaces
1.0a9 -- fix camera controls in renderer
1.0a10 -- ability to save documents
1.0a11 -- do something with preferences
1.0a12 -- add more vector tools/finish vector calculator

then to beta test...

Theory and Issues of Image Based Modeling User Manual Download Test Images