ollie_XYZ

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody could help/comment on this subject.

I have heard quite a few companies mention they produce verified views for buildings. I understand the purpose of this (planning, environmental impact asessment), but I have no idea about the processes involved.

To Quote:

"Images that can be generated using supplementary survey data to create verified views which can be checked by third parties to confirm accuracy."

I found this text on a CGI companies site. So, as far as i understand it's a process of ensuring an architectural 3d model comped into a photo is accurate in terms of structure, and in relation to it's surroundings.

That's what i understand at least, dunno if that helps or even makes sense?... i'm really interested in the process if any body knows?

Thanks,

Ollie

upshot

I think you hit it on the head.

Whenever I create an image with a real background I know there are some serious fudge factors. I 99.9% of the time I cannot pinpoint the camera's position, FOV, Lense length, etc.... So, it's the ol' does it look right? Are the lines converging in the same position as the photo? Alrighty then!

I've always wished that I could get a surveyer to take site photos with specific data right down to the XYZ angle of the camera as well as the obvious stuff like it's position, lense type, and all that... Maybe that's what they are selling?

There is also software that you can pinpoint stuff in a photo as reference points and then specify those points in your model. I've never had much luck with this method but, it's suposed to be able to get the virtual camera correctly matching the real one. Nice marketing... ;-)

The bottom line is that you can make a super-big project look a little bit smaller or a somewhat small project a little bit bigger by playing with your camera. I wouldn't doubt that you could, with the right equipment, make the future project "perfect" or "as it would look" but, I'll raise the BS card on 90% of what you see out there...

any other opinoins?

Ernest Burden

Why the need to mention a third party accuracy check?

What they are really talking about is--building an accurate model from site surveys. Matting into photos is another aspect of having good base data, but not a particular proof of truth.

And you can reverse-engineer photos to get semi-accurate to very accurate data.

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Ernest Burden III
AcmeDigital
architectural rendering

Jeff Mottle

Hi Ollie,

Our London office at Smoothe routinely does what are called a certified views. Given the historic nature of Europe and London in our case, planning commissions are very particular about the imagery that is created for high-profile projects that have impacts on views etc. If I recall, we have actually had out processes approved by the planning authorities as the final images are in essence a legal document. To do a certified view we have a proprietary process, but it essientially involves getting a photoghapher, and surveyor involved. Along with the survey data and existing city site plans, we can ensure that our camera matches are identical to the actual proposed building.

We do have a full document that explains this process in-depth, but I'm pretty sure I'm not able to release it publically. sorry.

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Jeff Mottle
CGarchitect.com

3dp

hayes davidson also in london have a verified view methodology
myself if working on planning images i'll insist taking the shots or being there when taken so as to note the surrounds camera etc
in the uk a good os map is also needed (although they can be out when compared to a local survey of a site or is it the other way around)
if i end up with a stitched background image then the process and settings are noted ie 3 shots at 35mm flattened out to a 115mm
basically the aim to get the model to sit in the background plate so there is no distortion that is glossed over in photoshop later

basically as long as you can illustrate EVERY stage of the process if it comes to appeal/litigation if the work is sound you are covered

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can i have everything louder than everything else please

upshot

Obviously I have some bias on the subject but, I think it's complete BS that people want to get litigious over these renderings. 'photo-reality' is in the mind of the beholder and If you were to hand sketch a view using the 3d model as a reference no one would even consider a suit over 'visual-tricks'. I can't tell you how many times I've beat my head on my desk repeating "it's not reality, it's a computer aided sketch you fools...". One trick I've used is the ol' photoshop filters to help the beholder to clue in...

ollie_XYZ

Hi,

Thanks to everybody for there comments and info... including Upshot But I asure you it's not BS if that's what your client requires!

Much appreciated,

Ollie