SideFX has released a new free plugin via its Game Development Toolset. This allows the well-known open source photogrammetry framework “Alice Vision” to be used in Houdini. With the plug-in, SideFX enables the reconstruction of 3D objects using images within its own node-based 3D software. Installation instructions can be found in the video and on the corresponding Alice Vision plug-in page from SideFX.
AliceVision with SOPs
In the geometry context of Houdini, several Alice Vision SOPs are then available via the“GameDev” area. In addition to a compact “Alice Vision Photogrammetry” node, the individual steps can also be carried out manually using the following SOPs:
- Initialise: Set and select the images to be used.
- Analyze Images: Feature matching between images
- Structure From Motion: Recognition of 3D points (position & rotation) and matching camera calibration.
- Depth Map: Indicates the depth value of each pixel from the cameras.
- Meshing: Creates a dense mesh of the scene.
- Texturing: Textures the generated mesh.
AliceVision Meshroom in the DP
AliceVision was developed over several years in collaboration with several research institutions and VFX houses (Mikros Image). The open source photogrammetry framework was released last year shortly before FMX 2018 on Github under the MPLv2 licence. In our DP issue 06 | 18 , we took a closer look at the associated standalone GUI “Meshroom” and talked to the developers about the tool. You can read the article & practical test here!
Plug-in download & availability
The free Houdini (16.5 ) plug-in is currently only available for Windows and in combination with a CUDA-capable NVIDIA GPU. Click here to download the installation guide.
