IS IT POSSIBLE TO EXPORT MODEL WITH CAMERAS POSITIONS IN STANDARD 3D FORMATS?!

[jkova96]

Hi to everyone,
I want to know if is possible to export model which contains cameras positions (if that possible) in standard 3D formats like maybe 3DS, OBJ...etc.
Actually, I've seen option when exporting my model to 3DS and under "Export Parameters" I've seen option called "Cameras". (check for picture(s) in attachments)
Can someone explain what that option does, cause I thought that maybe can be used for export 3D model with cameras positions around object itself.
Anyways, I actually did export to 3DS with "Cameras" ON but when I uploaded model to Sketchfab and then when I view same model on that platform I did not see
cameras anywhere around object. (check for picture in attachments)
I don't know if that option is some kind of "fraud" or is it can be viewable when using some other 3D software capable of loading 3DS formats into it.
Any advice will be appreciated Thanks 

[tazzo]

Have you tried FBX and Autodesk software?

[jkova96]

I did not tried any of these softwares.
If there's free/trial version of these softwares?
I wonder to know if possible to share model&camera positions without having these softwares,
maybe it can be opened by one of these softwares but...don't know why
Sketchfab then does not load...texture at least...instead of that I'm getting only "shade" 3D model. I did check for textures too.
Thanks for your reply!
Bye

[tazzo]

For sketchfab i use FBX without embedded textures, just put the model and the texture files in a zip and upload it on the website. I don't think embedded cameras are supported because you need to customize these kind of things on their web interface.

[jkova96]

Hi tazzo,
Now I saw that some features on Sketchfab comes with (I suppose) paid 'Pro' and 'Premium' plans.
I search for this: https://help.sketchfab.com/hc/en-us/articles/360056963172-Customizing-your-embedded-3d-model
I should definitely try, as you maybe suggest, to open
model via one of Autodesk's product.
It would be great - if Autodesk can open model with camera positions¹. To be honest with you, at the end, that I did not tried to export model to FBX format at all.
I just saw that export parameter - "cameras" enables when I hit 3DS format. Don't know if same parameters exist for FBX extension.
Hope that exists
Best regards!
J.K.

[tazzo]

I don't use any Autodesk software. I have MeshLab for some processing / as viewer for FBX files.
FBX is nice because file size is usually much smaller than other formats, and supported by many softwares.
Parameters for the Sketchfab Pro plan are not related to cameras embedded into the 3d model, it's a different thing.
Why you would like to open camera positions? With sketchfab you have more freedom and you can use the view you want.

[jkova96]

Hi tazzo,
Before all - thanks for your reply.
Just to answer your question.
I would like to see how will look cameras positions around object just to let know for everybody how I captured object...and also having in mind that photogrammetry is used as technique for making 3D model.
Best regards!
J.K.

[jrp]

Try "reference" panel, then the "Export reference" button at the top.

This will output a CSV file of the numbers. Not sure if you have anything that can process this.

[jkova96]

Hi jrp,
I know already that you can export reference - to .csv extension.
Good point - I want to find out, either, is there a way how to use that data. Don't know...to be honest with you.
Best regards!
J.K.

[Alexey Pasumansky]

Hello jkova96,

FBX format in the latest Metashape version supports Save Cameras option, so if the viewer that you are planning to use allows to display this data, you should be able to see the orientation of the camera in the shooting locations.

If you are considering using Agisoft Cloud, it also allows to display camera locations (see attached screenshot).

[jkova96]

Hi dear Alexey,
Do you mean versions above 1.8. including 1.8. itself - for 'save cameras' option?
Well, for 3D viewer - don't know, but when comes to FBX format then default viewer for these types of files should be one of Autodesk's products...isn't it?

I only tried to open model in Meshlab and that software just freezes when trying to load FBX file with "Export Parameters" including "Cameras" (there's no "Save Cameras", instead of that just "Cameras" in "Export Parameters" section inside "Export model").
Can you recommend some 3D model viewer if you knew if can support that option?

For Agisoft Cloud I already knew that you can view cameras positions along with created 3D model (including point cloud...etc...)
I mean, I don't want to be - not grateful, cause I'm so grateful to you for sharing your knowledge with me...or us as users...just I've heard for Agisoft Cloud before but still, hope that I can share somehow 3D files with cameras visualizations.

I'm so glad to hear that's possible, even with some special 3D viewers to visualize cameras and thus it's great option - if actually works.

Have a nice day
J.K.

[Alexey Pasumansky]

Hello jkova96,

As a possible solution, at least for yourself, you can try exporting model with "save cameras" option enabled in Alembic (*.abc) format and then open the exported file in Blender - it should display the camera orientation relatively to the model, as on the screenshot below.

However, to avoid possible coordinate rounding issues for georeferenced models, please consider either choosing Local Coordinates system on export from Metashape or some projected system (like UTM projection, for example) with XY shift options to subtract large offset values.

[jkova96]

Hi Alexey,
Before all - I'm very grateful because of your research and what you done so far. Don't know anything about alembic (.abc) format, but it
is good to know that there's way how to open model along with camera positions. I did not tried yet for myself cause I'm too busy right now. Good to know that this works for you. BTW Sorry for late message.
Have a nice day

J.K.

[tazzo]

FBX is pretty standard because Autodesk is providing an SDK to software developers.

Meshlab support for FBX is fine in my experience, you can try Blender too.

There is a tool from Autodesk called "FBX Review" that's completely free: https://www.autodesk.com/products/fbx/fbx-review
You can try it too.

If your model freeze is because is too big for Meshlab, maybe you can split it in multiple models or decimate it with Metashape before export.

[jkova96]

Hi tazzo,
Thanks for your message!
And for participating into this conversation too.
Don't know about size of my model but it has around 200 000 vertices. I definitely should try FBX review from the link which you sent to me. When I upload FBX format to SketchFab it does not work...it can't read texture at all, not to mention that I did not get cameras positions at all. Same problem I have with 3D viewers, locally. I need to "assign" textures manually in order to display 3D model with textures. Hope you can get camera positions when you apply export 3D model to FBX with cameras enabled. I'm in business right now...and all I can say that some day I'll check, hopefully, all these advices.
Have a nice day
J.K.