How to handle scaling and orientation in PhotoScan Standard?

[yoli]

Hi, when I export a mesh from PhotoScan (as fbx), it appears very tiny (less than 1cm) in other software. Also its orientation is completely off, rotation seems random. I would like to know how to get proper scaling and orientation before exporting. How can I set up the scaling of my mesh or dense cloud? How do I know how to rotate the model to make sure what I see as top will actually be top in other software?

[SAV]

Hi yoli,

You will need to incorporate 'reference information' (e.g., scale bars or ground control points) to get a properly scaled and/or aligned dataset. However, this is only possible with PhotoScan Pro.

But you can use CloudCompare (free and open-source) to align, level, scale or transform your dense point clouds.
Align: http://www.cloudcompare.org/doc/wiki/index.php?title=Align
Level: http://www.cloudcompare.org/doc/wiki/index.php?title=Level
Scale: http://www.cloudcompare.org/doc/wiki/index.php?title=Multiply/Scale
Transform: http://www.cloudcompare.org/doc/wiki/index.php?title=Apply_Transformation

All the best.

Regards,
SAV

[yoli]

Thanks SAV, I'll give it a try.