pasting sketch up model into a real photo

have attached a project I just finished. Being fairly new to SketchUp this was how I went about it:

approximated the angle from which the photo was taken and tried to match the perspective in my model. I exported a jpg and then deleted any portions of the model (like the background and sky) that did fit into the photo simulation. so the first problem was that the highest resolution I could output was 72 DPI. Is there any way to export a higher quility image? next is there any easier way to do what I just described?

thanks,

Jesse

Hmm, my way is: trial and error. I encountered the same problems as you, Jesse. I made aprox. 10 pages before I had the right angle and view. Messed around with viewpoints and field of view! Exported my page at 72 dpi and used PS to place it in the photo. Is there a SU-guru who has a beter way for this?

Do a google search for Vitrite.It is a free windows utility that allows you to set the transparency level of any window.

Therefore, you can open up the picture in the picture viewer; open up your SU model on top of that...then make the SU window semi-transparent so you can see the background image through it.

Orbit and zoom until the model fits perfectly against the photograph, then return to normal opacity and export the image. Composite the two together.

Alan

You are an angle Alan :). But in what resolution do you export? Do you have examples? [j]

Err it is angel.......

ok second try, you are the best, Alan

Well I'm probably an Angle and a Saxon, Jeroen. ;O)

I'd export fairly large. You are not going to get the two images the same resolution anyway, so it is best to shrink the SU render down to fit the photograph rather than having to stretch it.

Alan

Two slight words of warning with Vitrite:Don't make any window completely transparent, because you'll never find it again to reset it; and will be well and truly up the proverbial creek.

It also works on the task bar...so make sure it's a window you last clicked on, not that.

Alan

Alan are you a SU-guru?

Alan you are the SU-guru?

Trial and error with Vitrite. Is this the best we can do to align sketchup over a photograph? Is there something more precise out there we could use?

If sketchup would allow real time orbiting while in this mode that would be the key.

Can someone explain why this is not possible?

lap

.."Is this the best we can do to align sketchup over a photograph? Is there something more precise out there we could use?"...

Certainly, there is...

For example REALVIZ ImageModeler 4.0 program (approx. $ 1,400.0)...

Alan,

thank you for the tip on "Vitrite"

Jim

For Tony and Cornel,

I posted separately on this issue earlier today (my mistake). I found that if you turn off hardware acceleration and set you true color mode to "low" you can orbit in this mode (and my other problems seem to be fixed). I also turned off shadows. I'm not sure if the true color or shadows have anything to do with it though.

Also, when lining up a photomatch, it helps to know that pressing "control" while you rotate, turns off the "gravity" feature, allowing you to spin the view.

Try Artlantis R.

It has a capability of what you exactly want to do, posting a 3-model for a picture.

It costs about $500 and doesn't a fantastic rendering.

Jessee,

See the following thread and download the documentation:

2 & 3 point perspective matching

It describe a very precise method.

Don

Jessee,

Don is right, I have used the method in that thread, and it is a very easy (although involved) way to match views precisely every time. The difficulty lies in the picture you are matching. Sometimes the lines to the vanishing point in the picture are a bit difficult to pick out. Good luck

Scott

There is also a very low tech (but simple and effective method). With you photo background on screen take a piece of acetate and tape it over the screen, then draw vanishing lines and vanishing points (if possible). Now open sketchup (leave the acetate in place and use walk, orbit, zoom (and orbit with control to tilt) to align you model. Make a page, export at a resolution that will be larger than what is required to go into photo. Go to Pshop, make photo the background, layer your SU image over top, erase white background, marquee select your SU image, then resize with Pshop tools (constrain aspect) to match. The hardest part by far is matching camera tilt (trial and error with CTL-orbit).

If you are on a Mac you can use a Haxie like window shade x to make the window transparent. It's the easiest way I have found.

david

Hi! i normally do it by gathering all existing info from survey.it is also helpful if you work your 3d model in real rl's.

first i do the existing info. in sketchup atl east 99% correct base from survey.

calculate distance were the photo is taken ground height(rl) plus eye level height.

all is done in sketchup . get the center point of the image/photo and roughly

aim you camera in sketchup at this point. it is a bit hard to explain.

see attached image 1

cleanup image. note this has been exported in low res from sketchup.That is why the line are so thick.