Step 3: Loading Photos and Other Input Sources and Preparing the Project

Photos and other input sources are loaded into a project using any of the following methods:

§  Load photo files from disk (JPG, TIF, IIQ).

§  Load an Excel/XML file with a list of photos, their file paths, all photo information (e.g., XYZ, OPK/YPR) and photo collection and camera information (e.g., focal length, sensor width, pixel size).

§  Load a CSV file with a list of photos, their file paths and XYZ and OPK/YPR photo information.

§  Load a PhotoMesh project. When a PhotoMesh project (.PhotoMeshXML) is loaded into a second project, only the project’s photos and photo and collection parameters are loaded.

§  Load a video from which PhotoMesh extracts individual image frames.

§  Import photos of different data types (e.g., Inpho, Bingo, Stellacore) into the project with their metadata (e.g., sensor width, focal length, and aerotriangulation data). When AT results are imported, the AT step of the build process can be skipped (by selecting "Do not calculate AT (Fully trusted)" in the Calculation Mode AT parameter).

§  Load LiDAR data in .las, .laz or .e57 formats into a PhotoMesh project, integrating it with project photos to supplement project data and increase model accuracy.

See "Loading Photos" and "Importing Photos with Metadata" in the "Photo Management" chapter, and "Loading LiDAR Data" in the "LiDAR Management" chapter for information.

After photos have been loaded, do any of the following to prepare the project for the build:

§  Modify photo and photo collection properties

§  Verify that the camera symbols generate the expected cluster form

§  Project photos on the terrain to see if they fit the terrain imagery or to better understand their position

§  Show LiDARs on the terrain to see if they fit the terrain imagery or to better understand their position

§  Associate a LiDAR with its trajectory data that provides information about the scanner’s position while capturing the point cloud

§  Improve the accuracy of the model’s position by creating ground control points that associate real-world X, Y, Z coordinates with corresponding locations (in pixels) in photos

§  Establish a correspondence between project photos and improve aerotriangulation results by creating tie points in the same physical point in three or more photos

§  View photos in the photo viewer

§  Import or draw water body polygons to generate a flat surface with correct texturing over user-defined water bodies

§  Display the directions map to identify which areas of the project have sufficient coverage and which require more

§  Display the overlap map

§  Create a subset AT area in which to validate camera parameters and build settings

§  Set a reconstruction area

See "Modifying Photo and Photo Collection Properties" in the "Photo Management" chapter, "Working with Water Body Polygons" in the "Reviewing your Build" chapter and the "LiDAR Management", "Preparing the Project", and "Control Points" chapters for information.