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The accuracy of a 3D measurement depends both on the accuracy of the reconstructed model and the ability of the user to select the right points on that model. The most common method to perform 3D measurements from photographs is to use photogrammetry to estimate 3D points and then fit a surface to those points to create an orthophoto or mesh. The problem is that the surface is simplified to fill holes and improve visualization. While the texture on the mesh gives the impression of detail, the geometry of the mesh is typically oversimplified and can be inaccurate.
Our approach is to use both the original images and the reconstructed points directly to perform measurement. Our recent user study shows that measurement using images overlaid on 3D point clouds with Reconstruct's viewer provides the best combination of precision and user experience, improving the accuracy by a factor of 4 vs. using point clouds alone and a factor of 2 vs. using a mesh.
Using the same set of photos (taken by drone), we created 3D models using Reconstruct's engine and, for comparison, Pix4D's engine. The photos were taken at a height of 100 ft and, for lateral shots, distance of 30 ft from the building. The resulting models are shown below, using screenshots from the Reconstruct and Pix4D viewers.
We asked five users to perform several measurements on the ground and on the building walls using Reconstruct's 3D point cloud directly, images overlaid on the 3D point cloud, and Pix4D's online textured 3D mesh and measurement tools. We determined the true values by taking measurements directly in the scene.
As expected, users report that overlaying the image makes it much easier to perform measurements. But we were surprised that using the image overlay improved accuracy compared to point cloud only by a factor of four, from an average error of 4" to 1" per measurement! The interface for 3D measurement is just as important as the precision of the 3D model for obtaining accurate measurements. This is an important observation because most reality capture services emphasize the theoretical limits of 3D point precision, rather than the precision of measurements obtained by users.
In summary, the accuracy of your measurements from 3D models depends on both the interface and the precision of the model. Mesh models provide textured surfaces that are easy to interpret, but often oversimplify the surface or contain errors. Point clouds, by themselves, lack the high resolution of original images. Only Reconstruct provides image overlay in a web-based system to provide maximum detail and precision, making measurement simpler and more accurate.
Getting Started with Reconstruct
Want to learn how Reconstruct can help your project? Visit www.reconstructinc.com to start your free trial or request a consultation with one of our team members.