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 |
| Lightweight 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 Lightweight 3D is selected automatically.
Wizard steps
With a single set the wizard has 4 steps; with multiple sets a "Set Selection" step is added at the beginning, making 5 steps in total.
| Step | Contents |
|---|---|
| Set Selection | Select the target set (multiple-set projects only) |
| Image Linking | Configure SfM (image linking) execution and reuse, and whether to set a generation area |
| Point Cloud Quality | Generation method, preset, and advanced settings |
| Mesh Quality | Mesh quality, simplification, texture, and thermal options |
| Confirmation | Review the settings and start generation |
Generation area (experimental)
Turning on Set the generation area after image linking under Generation area (experimental) on the Image Linking step opens an area selection screen once image linking finishes. It is off by default.
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 area makes only the subject finer, at the same computational cost.
| Control | Description |
|---|---|
| Width / Height / Depth | Set the range on each axis with a lower and an upper handle (the scale is in meters) |
| Reset to full extent | Clear the area and target the whole scene again |
| Generate with this area | Confirm the area and move on to the next step |
The bottom of the screen shows the size of the current area, how many sparse points remain inside it, and the estimated voxel resolution. Use these numbers to narrow the area as much as possible without cutting off the subject.
When this is on, "Next" waits for image linking to finish before opening the area selection screen, so expect to wait for that step. Leaving it off keeps the previous behavior, where generation runs straight through after the wizard closes. If you cancel the area selection, the whole scene is used.
Point cloud quality
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Generation method | High Quality (GPU / CUDA) / Lightweight 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) |
Output to generate (temperature 3D)
Output to generate, at the top of the mesh quality step, 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) |
The following setting is enabled only when Visible + temperature 3D is selected.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Seam fusion | On: blends multiple views for smooth seams. Off: one camera per face (sharper, but seams appear) |
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
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) |
| 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.