Software

Topcon ImageMaster (formerly known as PI-3000) photogrammetry software allows 3D models to be generated from stereo images acquired with a standard digital camera.

ImageMaster offers the following capabilities (view full version comparison):

The capability to work with stereo-images from any standard digital camera
Point measurement, polyline measurement, surface measurement
TIN creation. Contour lines creation, cross section creation
Distance calculation, area calculation, volume calculation
Ortho-image creation
Export of RGB point cloud data (analgous to laser scanner), VRML, dxf, TIN and ASCII
Import and integrate with your model LIDAR or scanner point cloud data, CAD basemaps, orthophotos and GPS / Total station data
Drawing plotting
3D model display and editing
Direct interface with the IS robotic total station via Wireless networking (pro version only)

ImageMaster performs 3-D measurement from digital photographs, generates ortho-images and creates 3-D models using the images taken by digital cameras.

Click here to view a typical ImageMaster workflow from field to final product.

The software conducts 3-D measurements from stereo images – two images taken from different angles to the left and a right – of the object of measurement. For orienting the camera, it features an “aerial triangulation” function called the bundle adjustment, and it can also create panoramic 3D measurement data from multiple images. This function also has other advantages: it makes the precision of measurements uniform, and it is subject to few restrictions as regards the placement of the control points.

ImageMaster Pro has a function to create a model only with image coordinates of control points (pass points). If the ground coordinates of such control points are given (such as from the Topcon GPT-7000 imaging total station), the model can be scaled and fit in the ground coordinate system.

Alternatively, if some standard scale bar is pictured on the Stereo Images, a model in the real scale can be generated.

Because the ImageMaster Pro’s measuring functions use digital images, there is the facility to trace an outline of object, and to automatically measure the surface of the object aided by stereo matching. Such surface data is processed as TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network) and further processed to get such as, contour lines, section profiles, ortho-images and 3D modes.

3D data measured with ImageMaster Pro can be converted to TIN data, which can then be displayed as 3D image with the original images (textures) warped onto it. It can be interactively seen from
any visual point (direction). Using the 3D model display, it is easy to carry out such operations as the all-around measurement of an imaged object and the checking and editing the data of complicated uneven surfaces. Measured data and ortho-images can be output as DXF, JPEG or other graphic data, while 3D models can be exported as VRML
format.

Automatic measurement of pass points With
this function, you can automatically search, on the right image of a stereo pair, for the pass points of locations designated on the left image. Moreover, through a function that detects the corners of structures, etc., by image processing, it is possible to detect the locations of distinctive areas even when there are no special targets in them. Furthermore, when you photograph using the system’s circular target, it is possible to employ the automatic centering function and conduct measurement with sub-pixel accuracy. With this function, you can achieve highly precise, labour saving measurements that do not vary with the individual making them.

Highly reliable, automatic measurement of DSMs / DTMs (digital surface models / digital terrain models

A function, called “stereo matching”, automatically extracts elevations from stereo images. It enables measurement of DSM data using the measurement
intervals of your choosing. The operator’s work simply involves specifying the measurement range on the surface and inputting the measurement interval. Highly reliable automatic DSM measurement with little mismatching will then be carried out. As a result of surface measurement, TIN data is directly output. Thus, following measurement, the resulting data can immediately be subjected to 3D image processing or
displayed as 3D model.

Data interchangeability through general-purpose formats

3D data can be input and output to and from files using the CSV, DXF, APA and SIMA formats enabling easy interfacing with
other third party software and CAD applications. The, original images can be registered in BMP, TIFF and JPEG formats, so they can be viewed and edited in popular graphics programs such as Photoshop. The ImageMaster Pro also supports the world file format, so ortho-images can also be directly used with other GIS software. With the VRML format, 3D model data can be output as data that is mapped as a texture onto a TIN.