Import and Reference Photos
Learn how to import photos from a DSLR, drone or any other camera
Work in progress
If you can access the camera, you can take calibration photos to calibrate it, and get an accurate camera model which is a key for a better photo referencing.
See also Calibrate External Camera.
Import Photo
From main screen Menu | Import photo*
Import photos taken from a DSLR, drone or any other camera.
The input photos must be in jpeg format (JPG file extension).
Imported photos are added to your gallery.
(*) requires Veezer Plus subscription
Check Initial Data
Once your photo is imported, open the photo, and select Menu | Photo Referencing.
Check the initial data: Some data may be missing.
Check also the Computing/Adjustment options.
When you import photos with missing initial data, computation is required and set by default.
If you can, adding missing data will ease positioning and will save control points creation.
For instance: when importing a photo from a DSLR, the position is often unknown because the camera does not embed a GPS. If you know accurately the location of the photo, enter it, it will save up to 3 control points.
About optical properties, if you camera is not calibrated, it will rely on camera database or exif data. Keep in mind that exif data often provides only a rough estimate of the camera model, it may worth enabling Optical properties adjustment.
In case of undefined optical properties, it might be worth entering a rough estimate of the focal length, especially when using a telephoto lens.
If your camera is calibrated, the optical properties should be set automatically from your calibration data. You can also attach it manually by editing optical properties: use Find in calibration data (in menu) to set the optical properties from your calibration data.
According to the available data, and to the selected adjustment options, take a look on the minimal number of control point required (up to 6).
See also Photo Referencing.
Take Control Points
This is the key to reference your photo.
In the case of import, we often take points on a map or from reference cartographic coordinates. See also Take a control point on a map.
Use a reference with a relevant precision.
You need 3D points: don't forget to specify altitude for your points.
It's sometimes easier to take points on an aerial image (georeferenced).
Don't forget: The greater the distance, the more accurate the control point will be.
Take your points carefully, keep in mind that a wrong point leads to positioning issue.
Create points all over the photo.
Check and Improve Positioning
Once you have a sufficient number of control points, location features are enabled.
Check visually your control points and the reprojection error display.
Check the Photo Referencing screen Status to get an estimate of global precision.
What you can try to imrove precision or to solve any positioning issue:
- Take more control points
- Disable/enable some control points
- Add missing initial data, even if it is a rough estimate.
- Play with
Photo ReferencingComputing/Adjustment options, sometimes we realize that position or optical properties adjustment improves the precision.