Photography Guidelines

Great 3D models are derived from great photos. Above all, take LOTS of photos of the building! Second only to volume is coverage. Photos should cover every face of the building and should avoid foreign objects (trees, cars, people etc). Foreign objects can be edited out using tools like Photoshop but the less you have to edit the images the faster the modeling will go and better the model will look.

• Take images as "straight-on" as is possible for use with the Position Texture tool.
• Be sure to take corner shots if you plan to match photos.
• Avoid foreign objects (cars, trees, etc.) as much as is possible.
• Take context shots (far away views showing the shape and massing of the building) to accompany the straight-on shots.
• Ensure that all faces (exterior walls) of the building have been photographed, including alleys.
• If possible take images from inside courtyards.
• For long buildings or city blocks, take multiple pictures of a facade that can be pieced together later if it's not possible to get far enough away to get the full facade in the frame.
• Take multiple pictures of each facade from different angles.