Loading a Photo List File

Instead of manually entering all photo and photo collection information (e.g., sensor width, focal length, and aerotriangulation data), you can load an Excel or ContextCapture XML file that references the photos and includes this data. You also have the option to load a local CSV file that includes more limited photo information: only XYZ and OPK/YPR data. Excel and ContextCapture XML photo list files can reference photos stored locally or on an HTTP or HTTPS server, or Amazon S3. The path in the photo list file can be relative or absolute, e.g., s3://skyline-data/Frederick_xlsx/CF012316.tif OR http://www.skylineglobe.com/Photos_LiDARs/Photos/tux-1771.jpg

Note:    In the photo list file, the photos' path should point directly to the photos' path on the server or S3. The photo list file itself, must be located on and loaded from a local or shared drive.

A sample Excel (PhotoMeshSample.xlsx) file is included in the application's folder, which can serve as a template for creating such a file as well as provide basic property definitions (in the Excel’s notes). You can also see "Collection Property Sheet" and "Photo List" in this chapter for a description of the Excel/XML/CSV parameters.

The Excel file should include the following sheets:

§  The first sheet named Collections should detail the group properties for each of the "collections", i.e., groups of photos. For optimal performance, each collection should include only photographs taken by the same physical camera with identical focal length and principal point. These group properties are the same as the properties that are listed in the Collection property sheet. See "Collection Property Sheet" in this chapter. Each row after the heading row (with all the property names) represents a different collection.

§  A separate sheet for each of the collections, listing the properties of each photo in the collection. The name of each collection sheet must be identical to the collection name defined in the Name field of the Excel’s Collections sheet. The photo properties are the same as the properties in the photo list. See "Photo List" in this chapter.

Excel File – Collection Property Sheet

Excel File – Photo Property Sheet for Specific Collection

CSV File – Photo Properties for Multiple Collections

To add photo files using an Excel or XML file:

1.     On the Home tab, in the Add group, click Photos, and then from the Add Photos Wizard, select Load Photo List File. The Load a Photo List File dialog is displayed.

2.     Browse to the Excel or XML file. The photo files are loaded into the project. After loading the photos, the photo collections' basic properties are displayed in the Add Photos Wizard. Edit the properties as required. See "Photo Wizard Properties" for information on the wizard properties and "Modifying Photo and Photo Collection Properties" in this chapter for information on additional photo and collection properties.

 To add photo files using a CSV file:

1.     On the Home tab, in the Add group, click Photos, and then from the Add Photos Wizard, select Load Photo List File. The Load a Photo List File dialog is displayed.

2.     Browse to the CSV file. The CSV/TXT Importer dialog is displayed.

CSV/TXT Importer

3.     Enter the row at which to start import, and select a Delimiter.

4.     Select the CSV column that corresponds to each of the photo properties. PhotoMesh remembers the column mapping from your most recent CSV import, so only modifications from the last import need to be adjusted.

5.     Click Load.

6.     After loading the photos, the photo collections' basic properties are displayed in the Add Photos Wizard. Edit the properties as required. See "Photo Wizard Properties" for information on the wizard properties and "Modifying Photo and Photo Collection Properties" in this chapter for information on additional photo and collection properties.