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)
Dense point cloud generation (depth estimation) runs on a CUDA-capable GPU when one is present, otherwise on a DirectX 12 class GPU (including integrated graphics), and otherwise on the CPU. The result is identical in every case; only the processing time differs.
Wizard steps
The 3D mesh wizard follows the same structure as orthomosaic generation: choose the outputs and quality on the settings page, finish image linking, review the generation region, then start generation.
| Page | Contents |
|---|---|
| 3D Settings | Outputs to generate, reuse of the existing point cloud and mesh, and a summary of the processing that will run |
| Generation Region | Narrow the subject with a box while looking at the sparse point cloud |
The button on the settings page reads Start Image Linking when SfM (image linking) will be computed, and Next (Generation Region) → when an existing image-linking result is reused. When image linking runs, the wizard minimizes itself after a few seconds and the main window shows a notification once it finishes. Returning via Generate 3D Mesh on that notification brings you to the generation-region page.
Generation region
A 3D model is generated by dividing the whole space around the subject at a uniform resolution. When that space also contains wide open ground or distant scenery, the same amount of computation is spread over the empty space as well, leaving the subject itself coarse. Narrowing the region makes only the subject finer, at the same computational cost.
The initial region is the one used last time with the same image-linking result, or, if there is none, a region proposed automatically from the camera positions.
| Control | Description |
|---|---|
| Auto / Full / Previous | Re-pick the initial region. Full means no region (and clears a previous one) |
| Top / Front / Side / All | Change the viewpoint of the 3D view |
| Width / Height / Depth | Sliders and numeric fields per axis (meters). You can also drag the face handles in the 3D view |
The right-hand panel shows the size of the current region, how many sparse points remain inside it, and how many images observe it. Use these numbers to narrow the region as much as possible without cutting off the subject.
When the existing point cloud and mesh are reused and only the texture is regenerated, the region has no effect, so the generation-region page is skipped. If the sparse point cloud cannot be displayed, you can still generate without specifying a region.
3D Settings page
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Output to generate | Two cards: Visible 3D model / Visible + temperature 3D (see below) |
| Use existing point cloud | Reuse a previously generated point cloud to shorten processing time. Available only when an existing point cloud is found |
| Use existing mesh and generate texture only | Reuse the mesh geometry and rebuild only the texture |
The bottom of the page summarizes, for image linking, the point cloud, and the mesh, whether each will be reused, rebuilt, or created anew.
Open Advanced settings to change the following. The defaults are fine in most cases.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Surface construction (target shape) | Auto (from the shooting direction) / For top-down capture (roofs, solar panels, ground) / For walls and complex shapes (building walls, oblique or mixed capture) |
| Seam handling (temperature 3D texture) | Blend multiple views (smooth seams) / One image per face (prioritize outlines). Enabled only when temperature 3D is selected |
Changing the surface construction automatically clears the reuse of an existing mesh, because the shape would change.
Output to generate (temperature 3D)
Output to generate, at the top of the 3D Settings page, lets you choose whether to build a temperature 3D model from two cards.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Visible 3D model (default) | Generates only the 3D model with photo texture |
| Visible + temperature 3D | Also generates a temperature 3D model with infrared temperatures projected onto the mesh (takes longer) |
Only when Visible + temperature 3D is selected does Seam handling under Advanced settings become active. Blend multiple views gives smooth seams; One image per face keeps outlines sharper at the cost of visible seams.
Temperature 3D requires visible/infrared image pairs and alignment calibration. Visible + temperature 3D cannot be selected for a set with no pairs. The temperature projection runs after texture generation.
Starting generation
Click Start Generation on the generation-region page. 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) |
| Colormap | Choose the temperature palette from 10 options (only while Infrared 3D is shown) |
| Measurement labels | Name + Measurement / Name Only / Hidden, label size, cm / cm² display |
| Camera Frame | Show the capture position frame of each photo (off by default) |
| Clip | Set a cross-section for each axis — width / height / depth — using independent lower and upper handles (scale shown in metres) |
| Level | Level the scene: switch between Auto Level (default) and Original Orientation, or set the up direction manually |
| Fit View | Adjust the viewpoint so the entire scene fits |
Level estimates the ground direction automatically from the gimbal angle at capture time and from the camera poses, then stands the model upright (Auto Level is the default). If it cannot be estimated, or the result still looks tilted, adjust it with the forward/backward and left/right tilt sliders under Set the up direction manually.
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.