AutoDesk ImageModeler SP1 2009

Bridging the 2D and 3D worlds, Autodesk ImageModeler enables you to capture the reality as-built, take measurements of buildings, and easily create photorealistic 3D models. Editing, modeling, and texturing tools allow you to further edit, refine, and texture your rendered objects. Your 3D objects can then be exported into different formats.

Key Features:

Calibration Engine:

* Flexible Importing of Images
Build 3D models from either rectilinear (ideal for outdoor scenes) or panoramic images (ideal for indoor scenes), or from a mix of the two types. Source images can be of different resolutions and focal lengths. Support for single image (or single panorama) calibration is available through a perspective calibration method.

* Support for Multiple Images
Autodesk ImageModeler supports a large number of photographs acting as the source imagery, allowing you to create very complex scenes, including city scenes with streets and buildings.

* Constraints
Set constraints such as distances, right angles, or co-planarity at several locations to improve calibration results and measurement accuracy.

3D Measurement Toolset:

* Rulers Toolset
The ImageModeler ruler toolset enables architects, set designers, and others to calculate real-world distances and angles between points. Extract as many measurements as you need from your pictures or panoramas, eliminating the need for complex laser measurements on-site.

* Accuracy
Measurement is typically accurate to within 0.1%, depending on image quality and resolution, making Autodesk ImageModeler a useful tool for most 3D architectural visualization projects.

CAD and Other Interoperability:

* Importing CAD Models
Import 3D models (OBJ) into ImageModeler 2009. Fine-tune and adjust the imported model to match the extracted ImageModeler data, or simply add it to the ImageModeler scene to enhance it.

* Autodesk Software Interoperability
ImageModeler 2009 offers improved interoperability with Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk MotionBuilder, and the AutoCAD software family of products.

* Adobe Photoshop Interoperability
A high level of interoperability with external image editors, such as Adobe Photoshop software enables users to quickly retouch textures (remove shadows or artifacts, for example).

Modeling Technology:

* Constraint-Based Modeling
ImageModeler uses the concepts of image-based modeling and constraint-based modeling. Image-based modeling is the process of drawing 3D primitives on top of a 2D image or series of images. Snapping techniques and constraints are used to align and adjust these 3D primitives with the right perspective in the various calibrated pictures or panoramas.

* Polygon Modeling
ImageModeler is optimized for generating polygonal models of architectural shapes. Modeling of more organic shapes (a human face, for example) is based on triangular meshes.

Texturing:

* Automatic Process
Texture mapping in ImageModeler is a one-click process, with photorealism built in. The software can generate multiple maps and textures per mesh, object, or group of objects automatically, computing the best possible pixel contribution of the original source photos to create the best possible texture map.

* UV Projection
Choose your preferred type of UV projection (planar, spherical, cylindrical, or cubical).

* Texture Stacking
Optimize UV projection for a complete object to match real-time requirements in games or virtual reality applications. In this case, texture maps will be stacked in a single UV map to save texture space and facilitate texture retouching and integration with game engines.

* Edit UV
The ability to move and edit each UV map is particularly useful for architectural modeling.

* Texture retouching
A high level of interoperability with external image editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop software enables you to quickly retouch textures (remove shadows or artifacts, for example).

* Blending
Blend pictures from different points of view for a single texture map, to avoid occlusions and increase the quality of the end result.
User Interface

* Intuitive User Interface
UI enhancements in ImageModeler 2009 include the ability to display source images on a palette as thumbnails.

* Browser
The ImageModeler browser contains the calibrated images and textured meshes, enabling you to name and quickly identify all elements.

* Shortcut Manager
The ImageModeler preferences contain a new Shortcut Manager, enabling you to edit or change the main keyboard shortcuts of the application.