3D model
Generating 3D meshes and viewing/analyzing temperature 3D models
CRITIR can generate a 3D mesh of walls and structures from the image-linking result. On the generated 3D model you can review measurements, and by projecting infrared data onto it you can analyze it as a temperature 3D model.
Generating a 3D mesh
Launching the wizard
Launch the 3D mesh generation wizard from either of the following:
- Process menu on the toolbar → 3D Mesh Generation
- 3D tab in the right side panel → Generate 3D button (shown when no 3D model has been generated yet)
Generation methods
In the point cloud quality settings, choose one of two generation methods.
| Method | Requirements | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| High Quality (GPU / CUDA) | CUDA-capable NVIDIA GPU | Generates the mesh from a high-accuracy dense point cloud |
| Light 3D (CPU / no GPU) | Runs on CPU only | Fast, simplified version that works without a GPU |
High Quality (GPU / CUDA) requires a CUDA-capable GPU. On PCs without one it cannot be selected (grayed out), and Light 3D is selected automatically.
Wizard steps
With a single set the wizard has 3 steps; with multiple sets a "Set Selection" step is added at the beginning, making 4 steps in total.
| Step | Contents |
|---|---|
| Set Selection | Select the target set (multiple-set projects only) |
| Image Linking | Configure SfM (image linking) execution and reuse |
| Point Cloud Quality | Generation method, preset, and advanced settings |
| Mesh Quality | Mesh quality, simplification, texture, and thermal options |
Point cloud quality
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Generation method | High Quality (GPU / CUDA) / Light 3D (CPU / no GPU) |
| Preset | Fast / Balanced / High Quality (combinations of image size and number of reference sources) |
| Use existing point cloud | Reuse a previously generated point cloud to shorten processing time |
| Show advanced settings | Individually override maximum image size, number of reference source images, and more |
Mesh quality
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Use existing mesh and generate texture only | Reuse the mesh geometry and rebuild only the texture |
| Mesh details (quality preset) | Stable (suppresses holes / stray faces) / Balanced (recommended) / Detail priority |
| Mesh Simplification | Reduces the triangle count while preserving quality; a target triangle count can be specified |
| Texture | Resolution: Low (2048px) / Standard (4096px) / High (8192px) |
Thermal (temperature 3D)
Under Thermal (infrared) in the mesh quality step, you can generate a temperature 3D model with infrared temperatures projected onto the mesh.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Project infrared temperatures onto the mesh to build a temperature 3D model | Creates the temperature 3D model |
| Seam fusion | On: blends multiple views for smooth seams. Off: one camera per face (sharper, but seams appear) |
Thermal projection requires visible/infrared image pairs and alignment calibration. The temperature projection runs after texture generation.
Starting generation
Once all settings are complete, click Start Generation. Processing takes time depending on the number of images and your PC's specifications.
3D viewer
Browse the generated 3D model from the 3D tab in the right side panel. Use the toolbar at the top to control the display.
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Display | Switch between Visible 3D / Infrared 3D (only when a temperature 3D model has been generated) |
| Camera Frame | Show the capture position frame of each photo (off by default) |
| Mesh Settings | Adjust the mesh's opacity / brightness |
| Clip | Auto Clip, plus cross-section views by width / height / depth |
| Elevation / Top-Down | Switch between the elevation view and the top-down view (lays the ground flat) |
| Fit View | Adjust the viewpoint so the entire scene fits |
| Measurement labels | Name + Measurement / Name Only / Hidden, label size, cm / cm² display |
Measurement projection
Measurements created on images are automatically projected onto the surface of the 3D model as well, letting you see where each measurement sits in 3D space.
Interactive analysis of the temperature 3D model
While the temperature 3D model (infrared 3D) is displayed, you can analyze temperatures interactively just like in the regular viewer.
- Color map — choose from 10 palettes
- Temperature bar (bottom) — adjust the display range
- Color bar (right) — set alarm thresholds
The temperature 3D model does not bake colors in; it is colored on the fly at display time. You can therefore freely change the display range, alarm thresholds, and color map afterwards.
Using the model in reports and the HTML viewer
- Report — choose 3D as the image source for detail sheets to include a capture location figure that shows each photo's position as an overview of the 3D model. See Report creation for details.
- HTML viewer export — when a 3D model has been generated, it is automatically bundled in the HTML viewer export and can be viewed in the browser via the 3D display button.