What Is Photogrammetry?

Discover more about this 3D creation technique and how it is applied to video games, VFX, and more

We are living in a technological era in which humans are able to generate 3D objects and environments that are difficult to distinguish from reality, demonstrated by the most cutting-edge video games and movies. This is done using different methods, and photogrammetry is one of the most common and most interesting of them.

To help you get to grips with this technique, which is often used in the VFX and video games’ industries, here are the essential points you should know according to 3D artist David Chumilla (@amnoon), who has worked on projects like Forza Horizon 3, Need for Speed: Heat, and Call of Duty: Black Ops IV.

What is photogrammetry?

In a nutshell, photogrammetry is the science of taking measurements from photographs. In other words, it is a method that, using 2D photographic images, allows us to reconstruct an element in three dimensions. These measurements are usually taken using specialized programs. The input data used to perform this technique is derived from photographs, and the output data obtained is typically a 3D map, drawing, measurement, or model of some object or scene in the real world.

The technique differs from other scanning methods, such as laser scanning, as it uses photographs to reconstruct the object. Lasers, however, calculate the distance at which the rays come into contact with the surfaces of an object in order to reconstruct that object in 3D.

Where is it applied?

Photogrammetry is used a lot in the VFX and video game industries, as it generates realistic-looking objects, sets, costumes, and characters in 3D. However, these measurements have many other uses: they can also be used in more technical professions, seeing as you can use photogrammetry to generate topographic maps, get the measurements of a large piece of land, detailed maps...

If you have enjoyed this article, sign up to David Chumilla’s course, Introduction to 3D Photogrammetry, and learn the theories and techniques for creating 3D models from real objects.

English version by @eloiseedgington.

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