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Post Info TOPIC: Drawing from photographs
Michael Taylor


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Drawing from photographs
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In the absence of scaled drawings of many of the vehicles and much of the equipment we would like to see in model form, does anyone know of a suitable 3D drawings system which would enable me to extract information from photographs?
Many potential subjects such as transport and armour were photographed more often than was apparent some years ago, and as photographs emerge, would seem to provide the basis for satisfactory drawings in the smaller scales. Many years ago, I applied a basic knowledge of perspective to create plausible drawings to enable me to attempt to build Austins armoured cars and Schneider tanks without too much speculation about the geometry, and it now seems that there should be far more effective means to produce superior drawings using the multiple views now to be found of some rareties.

Would anyone with the necessary expertise care to provide some guidance?

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MarkV


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Michael,

I have "Perspective Rectifier" at work.  http://www.perspectiverectifier.com/

It is a photogrammetry program that uses 2D photos and is designed for architectural subjects but can be made to work for vehicles and equipment with some effort.  It requires that you be able to define a vertical and horizontal axis and at least one dimension along each axis in each photo.  Given that, it can interpolate the rest of the dimensions.  It is by no means "automatic" though.  You have to be aware of the assumptions inherent in the processing and the computer axiom "garbage-in, garbage-out" definitely applies.  Check your results to make sure they make sense before relying on them.

In a related vein, I find that it works very well with low resolution 2D plans though.  If you can find a low-res scan of plans of your subject you can use the software to remove some common angular distortions and, given a couple of known dimensions, the software can interpolate all of the dimensions for you.

I think this software is rather dated and limited by modern standards but it is relatively inexpensive and comes in very handy on my modeling projects.  smile.gif

MarkV

PS - I am curious to learn what other, better, software is out there.

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Rectalgia


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Hmm ... photogrammetry. Seems the LPS (formerly Leica Photgrammetric Suite) ia the self-proclaimed champion. Principally intended for (terrain) mapping and architecture it apparently has a "close-up" module (exactly the same mathematics/processing involved):

http://www.erdas.com/Products/ERDASProductInformation/tabid/84/currentid/1071/default.aspx. I haven't the heart to look for pricing information, the whole thing is simply oozing dollar, pound and euro symbols (or maybe that's just my imagination).

A run-down on precision applications and systems is given at:

http://www.geodetic.com/photogrammetry.htm

Googling photogrammetry download produces some hits for free software that may be worth following. For Spanish-speakers, www.worldphotogrammetry.com/ seems to offer quite a lot.

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Michael Taylor


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smileThank you both for your informed and interesting responses. I will follow the leads. As I am "rather dated and limited by modern standards" I am hoping to enlist the aid of a friend who is some years my junior and very adroit with such matters. As there are some subjects where reliable drawings and good photographs exist, it would seem to be possible to test the quality of results before relying wholly on the tech. There are so many subjects with incomplete data, but tempting details. Captured vehicles (and aircraft) were often photographed alongside simple measuring devices, so it might be possible to reconstruct from partial data without waiting for the reappearance of lost archives!
Thank you again.

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baldwin


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Michel, I have an article on taking measurements from photographs using Adobe photoshop.Its quite comprehensive but with my knowledge of all things PC it might as well be in Chinese!!!!! If you want a copy then I could scan it and pass it on.

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Barry John
Paul Bonnett


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Barry, I too would love a scan of your article if thats possible ! Please.

Paul

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alfisherjr


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Could you post it for all of us to see or, if not, give us a reference so we can find it on the web?

Al

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baldwin


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The article was in a narrow gauge modelling mag,Narrow gauge & Industrial Review issue 83. When I get a chance I will scan it.I think I should get the OK from the Editor first.


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Barry John
sally


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Sally would like a copy too please.  But as a new'b' to this system I'm not sure how you get it to me.  Could you help please?



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