Eos Systems Introduces Affordable Automated 3D Measurement in PhotoModeler

    VANCOUVER, BC, January 21, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Eos Systems, maker of the PhotoModeler software, today released PhotoModeler 6.3 with RAD targets and a greatly enhanced automation module.

With the robust automation in this new release, customers can efficiently generate accurate 3D measurements and 3D point sets using a standard digital camera. The new benefits are improved speed, lower cost of operation, and a wider variety of scenes and objects that can be captured.

PhotoModeler software has been in use for over 15 years to model and measure scenes and objects using a digital camera and photographs as input, also commonly known as 'image-based modeling' or 'photogrammetry'. Adoption of image-based modeling has been expanding into the mainstream of corporate and personal users, although specialists have used these methods for many years. Photogrammetry is one of the most cost-effective ways to capture and scan real-world objects and scenes, whether they are buildings, vehicles, industrial plants, machines and parts, forensic crime and accident scenes, or items for film F/X and animations.

With this new release, an automated measurement project takes just four steps: 1) place RAD targets on the object or in the scene, 2) take photographs from different angles, 3) start the PhotoModeler Automation software and load the photos, and 4) press the 'Run RAD project' button. The result is a high-accuracy 3D point set that can be exported in a variety of CAD formats or can be enhanced further with lines, curves, and surfaces.

A new form of coded target called the RAD Target (Ringed Automatically Detected Target) provides robust automatic detection and matching of points across multiple photographs. There are 999 unique codes in the RAD set. The larger number of unique target codes expands the types of objects and scenes that can be measured.

The target's new ring shape provides greater robustness and accuracy as well as much greater detection ability - important with visually noisy and natural image backgrounds. Fully automated measurement projects are now possible regardless of the image content. In addition, RAD Targets can be printed on a standard laser printer.

The processing systems in PhotoModeler 6.3 have also been significantly improved with new error detection methods. These methods improve the probability that automated projects will execute flawlessly even within challenging real-world scenarios such as partially-obscured targets, targets that are too small, blurred targets, etc.

Eos Systems' PhotoModeler Scanner, which is used to create dense surface models, has also been updated with the robust and efficient RAD targets plus the improved error detection methods.

The PhotoModeler Automation bundle (PhotoModeler + RAD Coded Target module) sells for $1295us in the USA and Canada. The RAD Coded Target module is also available as an add-on for existing PhotoModeler customers for $395us. RAD Targets are a free upgrade for existing owners of the Coded Targets 6.x module or PhotoModeler Scanner.

A free demonstration version of PhotoModeler Automation is available at www.photomodeler.com, along with full product details and 3D project examples. Software licenses can be purchased from the website for customers in the USA and Canada, or through PhotoModeler retailers worldwide.

About Eos Systems.
Eos Systems, a privately held company based in Vancouver, Canada, is a world leader in the development of photogrammetry and 3D modeling technology. Eos has developed close-range photogrammetry software since 1990. Their award-winning PhotoModeler software and the PhotoModeler Scanner software are used worldwide by professionals in the fields of architecture, accident reconstruction, forensics, archaeology, engineering, surveying, film, and 3D animation.

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