We also have been using Agisoft Photoscan with great success.  There are significant things you need to learn to take the photographs properly to get a good result, but these structure from motion photogrammetry models are going to revolutionize field geology (my opinion).  I’ll paste in my GSA abstract for this fall that is preaching that line. 

 

I also have a little blurb at a website (that needs updating) about the power of virtual outcrops in solving problems.  That is a quick little summary of some of this.  http://www.geo.utep.edu/pub/pavlis/digitalmappingwebpages/3doutcropvisualizationdocument.htm

 

Terry Pavlis

 

 

Paper Mapping is Dead and Flat Map Geologic Analysis Has One Foot in the Grave:  The New Revolution in Three Dimensional Structural Analysis Using Inexpensive Terrain Models and Visualization Software

Terry L. Pavlis, Jade Brush, Joshua Cobb

Two hundred years ago Smith’s geologic map changed the world, yet flat-map representations of a 3D world remain a problem for visualization of 3D geology in any area that is not flatter than Kansas. We are in a new age, however, when 2D map reading skills are becoming archaic and akin to using a plane table and alidade 40 years ago.  Integral to this change is the combination of digital mapping on increasingly sophisticated mobile computers and “structure from motion” based photogrammetry, which allows inexpensive production of high resolution 3D terrain models as base maps. The latter is truly transformative in that 1-2 people can generate a georeferenced, high-resolution, photorealistic 3D terrain model comparable to Terrestrial Lidar with less than $1,000 worth of equipment in less field time/effort than LiDAR acquisition. Use of an inexpensive drone can further streamline that field effort. It is difficult to overemphasize the potential impact of this technology on the future of all field sciences, but field geology in particular. Inaccessible cliff faces can now be rendered in high-resolution 3D for geologic mapping; the technology affords mind-boggling detailed mapping in 3D with resolution to a few cm; and even in areas with poor outcrop ALL key outcrops can be recorded as 3D objects embedded in a spatial database for better documentation of structure. The possibilities are nearly limitless and we have only begun to scratch the surface of what is possible. Although this technology is revolutionizing field geology, it is not yet routine. We have found several pitfalls and technology issues that force alternative workflows, and these workflows will need to be modified continually as technology advances.  Most issues are in software with no single application perfect for this work but limitations of mobile hardware are also important. Nonetheless, the problems remain trivial compared to flat-map problems in areas of steep terrain and are acceptable for routine work. Presently, a two-phase field procedure is required that begins with a data acquisition phase with preliminary interpretations on the terrain model followed by a second field session to finalize interpretations. Limitations aside, these technologies put geology at the dawn of a new revolution in field studies that may be comparable to Smith’s first map.

 

 

From: Tectonics & structural geology discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pablo Martinez Granado
Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 2015 2:05 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Cliff face photos in 3D space

 

Alex, 

you can try Agisoft Photoscan. The academic licence is not prohibitively expensive.

 

We have recently published a combined methodology to obtain reliable structural data from high-resolution virtual outcrops generated from handheld cameras.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building a virtual outcrop, extracting geological information from it, and sharing the results in Go...

Abstract Photogrammetry is becoming a highly efficient alternative technique to laser-scanning for creating virtual outcrop models.

Vista previa por Yahoo

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Pablo

 

Pablo Martínez Granado
Senior Geologist, M.Sc.
Geomodels Research Institute
Universitat de Barcelona
C/Martí i Franquès s/n 08028
Barcelona, España
[log in to unmask]
+34 934 03 59 57
http://www.ub.edu/geomodels/index.html

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De: "Svennevig, Kristian" <[log in to unmask]>
Para: [log in to unmask]
Enviado: Miércoles 2 de septiembre de 2015 9:10
Asunto: Re: Cliff face photos in 3D space


Dear Alex
As part of my PhD I'm using oblique photogrammetry to produce 3D models for structural interpretation. I've  recently published a paper on the workflow I'm using :

Svennevig, K., Guarnieri, P., and Stemmerik, L., 2015, From oblique photogrammetry to a 3D model – Structural modeling of Kilen, eastern North Greenland: Computers & Geosciences, v. 83, p. 120–126, doi: 10.1016/j.cageo.2015.07.008.

In short I use a photogrammetry software to triangulate and georeference oblique photos, then digitize geological features and import this into Move where I construct the 3D model.

If you don’t have access to the more advanced software for photogrammetry like SocetSet you could try using Agisoft.
This of course requires that you have taken your photos with some overlap (min 60%)

Cheers
Kristian

-----Original Message-----
From: Tectonics & structural geology discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Alex Brodeur-Grenier
Sent: 1. september 2015 17:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Cliff face photos in 3D space

Dear all,

I’m currently working on a 3D geological model of an open pit located in a polydeformed metamorphic terrain and I would like to import and georeference cliff face photos in 3D space. The photos have control points in X,Y and Z. Does anybody have experience on how to proceed for doing this? I would preferentially like to use the Surpac, Move or GeoModeller softwares, but, perhaps there is a better choice?

    Thank you for your help,


Alex Brodeur-Grenier
M.Sc.candidate
Polytechnique Montreal