John Haverkamp Help! "Photogrammetry: Creating DAZ Studio Assets from Photos"

riffjamtribe

I'm thinking of purcahsing John Haverkamp's "Photogrammetry: Creating DAZ Studio Assets  from Photos" tutorial. However, before I do I need to know if the process he describes in it will also work to create terrains/ landscapes ( -not just individual props like a rock, tree or flower ) using a Googe Earth 3D Height Map ( -or similar topographic map that gives land height, width, depth contours data ) as the source. Or failing that -could several standard photos taken of the same landscape scene ( -taken from different angles? ) be used to accomplish this -turning this map or photo data into an actual DAZ landscape ( -that DAZ Genesis/ Michael/ Victoria characters can be put into and interact within via "Animate 2", etc. )? Has anyone out there done this yet using John's tutorial instructions? If so, any tips or guidance would be appreciated. 

SixDs

That is a somewhat complicated subject and process. However, if you are considering a process for creating landscapes, rather than individual, distinct objects, I am going to suggest that the approach is going to be somewhat different than that described. In order to produce detailed individual objects the photogrammetric approach is necessary to capture those details from various angles. For something like a landscape, unless you are facing having to start from scratch without access to topographic resources or digital elevation models (DEMs) that have already been prepared and available, the photogrammetric work has already been done for you in preparing that topographic data. The latter cannot be used "as-is", because you need to adjust it by smoothing transitions between elevation data where those transitions are gradual, while preserving relief where transitions are abrupt. The key is to produce what is commonly referred to as a heightfield map - a grayscale image ( or series of images that can be stitched together seamlessly), where the different shades of grey represent different levels of relief. If this sounds somewhat familiar, it should - what you are trying to do is produce essentially a bump, or rather a displacement map that can be used to create a model of your 3D terrain. The amount of detail that you can capture or include will depend upon the DEMs that are available and how much time you spend in preparing your heightfields, but generally you are talking about fairly large landscapes = limited detail. Details like boulders, etc. would be best added afterwards for closeups, while the terrain itself provides the larger topographic base. In preparing your maps it helps to be familiar with the area in determining whether transitions should be gradual or abrupt = gentle or steep, although the spacing of contours will tend to provide some indication. This latter bit involves the smoothing of the inevitable "steps" between contours. Most modelling programs should be capable of dealing with heightfields and turining them into 3D terrains.

P.S. Here's a thought: perhaps you might wish to look into this as a possible route to what you are trying to do,

https://www.daz3d.com/bryce-7-pro

It is still 32-bit, and so has some foibles, but there is a dedicated group of users over in the Bryce forum area of the site that will welcome you and provide lots of guidance and support:

https://www.daz3d.com/forums/categories/bryce-discussion

Be sure to pop over there and ask specifically about creating terrains in Bryce, including using DEMs, and about bringing them into DAZ Studio. Its worth investigating, I believe, and may provide you with exactly what you are looking for.

riffjamtribe

John, thanks a lot for your clarification of this process. It is complex. I will look into the resources you've mentioned. It would be nice if a developer came out with a program that simplifies this terrain/ landscape creation process beyond what's available currently. Gratefully -Tomm

 

SixDs

No problem, Tomm. Best of luck!