Would you like to prove to yourself that PhotoModeler works?

This is a natural requirement when purchasing a new product, especially one using a technology that may be new to you. It makes perfect sense to me that customers want to see PhotoModeler work before they buy. While the PhotoModeler Demo does load the tutorial photos, we do have a simple way for customers to take the next step and try their own photos.

To try PhotoModeler with your own photos ask us for a Trial Code. We will supply a special code by email that you enter into your already downloaded PhotoModeler Demo. The PhotoModeler Trial operates without restriction (it is a fully functional version of PhotoModeler) for a period of time.  During that time you can calibrate your own camera, and execute any measurement or modeling task with your own photographs.

How long will it take to test PhotoModeler and prove to yourself it works for your application? There are many types of projects and some projects can be completed in a few minutes while others require a good calibration, accurate marking, and careful evaluation. A typical test project might consist of:

1. a camera calibration; 30 minutes
2. photographing a simple object; 10 minutes
3. following the steps of one of the tutorials (such as the box in Tutorial 1) but ‘replacing’ instructions with your object and photos; 20 - 40 minutes
4. verifying measurements and inspecting the 3D model; 10 minutes

Total time to produce your own basic test; 90 minutes.

To get your trial code, download the PhotoModeler Demo, if you have not already done so, and email the following information to sales@photomodeler.com:

• Email subject: PhotoModeler Trial Code Request
• Name and Company name (if applicable)
• Address (Street, City, State / Province, Country, Zip / Postal Code)
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• Application area  (e.g. architecture as-builts, industrial part modeling, forensic investigations, etc.)

Google Earth
I love to hear about new uses for PhotoModeler. An interesting application, which we might have found unusual just a year ago is now becoming more common place. That is the modeling of real buildings to place them in geographic context in Google Earth (or Microsoft’s Virtual Earth). With the latest PhotoModeler 6 release (version 6.1.6) and a recent change in the Google 3D Warehouse accessibility, thanks to Google, PhotoModeler users can now directly upload PhotoModeler models into the Google Warehouse without going through Google SketchUp. The Google Warehouse allows you to share your work with the world. There is a new category on the Google Earth Warehouse to collect PhotoModeler models. Feel free to browse or to add your own models there.

Jan Wesbuer (a PhotoModeler expert user) has contributed many models to the Google 3D Warehouse as described above.

Recently he has a new project. He has created a public discussion forum for all things PhotoModeler related - to be maintained by the user-community. It is open for anybody to read and if you want to post a message it is easy to sign up. Take a look: www.photogrammy.de

Since the last PhotoModeler newsletter there have been a few free upgrades to PhotoModeler 6. Versions 6.1.3 through 6.1.6 have been released in these intervening months. Beside a number of small fixes and improvements there have been some significant new features:

• Google 3D Warehouse Support. KMZ export has been reformatted to allow for uploading to the now open-to-public Google 3D Warehouse.
• Camera station export and geo-coded EXIF support added to our Google Earth export.
• Improvements to MAXScript export such as all surface types now exported, and camera exports now include image planes.
• New FBX export file format.
• User-configurable 3D navigation. New ability to zoom, pan, and rotate the 3d model by mouse-down-dragging anywhere in the 3D Viewer window.

To ensure your copy of PhotoModeler is up-to-date use PhotoModeler's 'Check for Updates' feature or visit our upgrades page.

Recently we've noticed an increase in the number of customers buying PhotoModeler add-on modules to take advantage of the extra automation or capabilities. To make it easier for you to acquire the best PhotoModeler has to offer for your application area, we are now offering combinations of PhotoModeler with specific extra modules at a reduced price vs. buying each separately:

• Automation Bundle - *$1240us - PhotoModeler 6 + the time-saving Coded Targets module.
• Image Match Bundle - $1340us - PhotoModeler 6 + the Idealize module to produce undistorted images for advanced modeling in 3D packages like Max, Maya, etc.
• Motion Bundle - $2135us - PhotoModeler 6 + Coded Targets module + PhotoModeler Video module for customers working with moving subjects.
• Ultimate Bundle - $2430us - PhotoModeler 6 + all modules (Coded Targets, PMV, Idealize) for that ultimate photo measuring and modeling solution.
• Roadway Bundle - $1475us - PhotoModeler 6 + Eos Evidence Markers (EEM) for maximum versatility in accident reconstruction and forensic scene measurement projects.

In addition, the Idealize Module (corrects images for lens distortion for use with 3rd party rendering packages) has had a recent price drop. It is now available for $395us*.

*note these prices are for North American direct customers. Your reseller may sell for a different price.

• Desktop Engineering Magazine Review of the new PhotoModeler 6 release
• Cadalyst Magazine Mini Review of the new PhotoModeler 6 release
• Interesting Article on Accident Reconstruction and Animations