Alicevision
3D Computer Vision Framework
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What is Alicevision?
AliceVision is a photogrammetric computer vision framework that provides state-of-the-art 3D reconstruction and camera tracking algorithms. It infers the geometry of a scene from a set of unordered photographs or videos by reversing the 3D-to-2D projection process inherent in photography. The framework combines Structure-from-Motion (SfM) and Multi-View Stereo (MVS) pipelines to produce dense 3D modeling of scenes.
Key features include GPU-accelerated SIFT implementation running at 25 fps on HD images, CCTag marker detection with sub-pixel precision robust to challenging shooting conditions, panorama stitching, mesh generation, and texturing capabilities. The framework supports multiple input formats including JPEG, PNG, TIFF images and MP4, AVI, MOV videos, and outputs 3D models in OBJ, PLY, and STL formats.
AliceVision is designed for researchers, developers, and production studios in visual effects, cultural heritage preservation, architecture, archaeology, film production, and robotics. It serves both technical users who can customize individual components and non-technical users through Meshroom's graphical interface. The project results from collaboration between academia and industry, providing cutting-edge algorithms with production-grade robustness.
The framework is modular, enabling developers to use individual components or customize the pipeline for specific workflows. It integrates with tools like Blender for retopology and supports command-line automation for studio pipeline integration. The open-source approach enables high degree of integration and easy customization for any studio pipeline.
Alicevision pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
AliceVision is completely free and open-source software released under the MPLv2 (Mozilla Public License version 2). There are no paid plans or tiers. The software can be used for both personal and commercial purposes. Meshroom, the graphical user interface based on AliceVision, is also free and open-source for Windows and Linux. Corporate sponsors can become members of the ALICEVISION Association to support the project.
Alicevision pros
- Free and open-source under MPLv2 license
- State-of-the-art computer vision algorithms
- GPU-accelerated SIFT at 25 fps on HD images
- Complete photogrammetry pipeline (SfM + MVS)
- Production-grade robustness and quality
- CCTag marker detection with sub-pixel precision
- Supports panorama stitching and camera tracking
- Modular architecture for custom workflows
- Meshroom graphical interface for non-technical users
- Command-line capabilities for automation
- Multiple input formats (JPEG, PNG, TIFF, MP4, AVI, MOV)
- Multiple output formats (OBJ, PLY, STL)
- Academia-industry collaboration ensures cutting-edge algorithms
- High degree of integration with studio pipelines
- Can be used for commercial purposes
Alicevision cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Requires significant computational resources
- Not suitable for real-time 3D reconstruction
- No native OpenCL support for AMD graphics cards
- Memory intensive (can use 28GB+ RAM with 300 photos)
- No native support for manually matched points
- AMD GPU users need alternative MeshroomCL version
- Background removal requires manual parameter adjustment
Frequently asked questions about Alicevision
What is AliceVision?
AliceVision is a Photogrammetric Computer Vision Framework that provides 3D Reconstruction and Camera Tracking algorithms. It infers the geometry of a scene from unordered photographs or videos by combining Structure-from-Motion (SfM) and Multi-View Stereo (MVS) pipelines to reverse the 3D-to-2D projection of photography and produce detailed 3D models.
Is AliceVision free to use?
Yes, AliceVision is completely free and open-source software released under the MPLv2 license. It can be used for both personal and commercial purposes without any cost. There are no paid tiers or subscription plans.
What is Meshroom?
Meshroom is a free, open-source 3D Reconstruction Software that provides a graphical user interface to the AliceVision framework. It is written in Python using Qt and PySide, making the complex photogrammetry pipeline accessible to non-technical users. Meshroom is available for Windows and Linux.
What image and video formats does AliceVision support?
AliceVision supports JPEG, PNG, and TIFF image formats as input. For video, it supports MP4, AVI, and MOV formats. The framework outputs 3D models in OBJ, PLY, and STL formats, making it compatible with most 3D software.
Can I use AliceVision with an AMD graphics card?
No, AliceVision does not have native OpenCL support for AMD graphics cards. The framework relies on NVIDIA CUDA for GPU acceleration. AMD GPU users can use MeshroomCL, a free OpenCL-based alternative version of Meshroom available from the OpenPhotogrammetry GitHub repository.
What industries use AliceVision?
AliceVision is widely used in visual effects, cultural heritage preservation, architecture, archaeology, film production, and robotics. It is suitable for any industry that needs to convert 2D imagery into accurate 3D models for production usage.
How do I install AliceVision?
You can get the source code by running 'git clone --recursive git://github.com/alicevision/AliceVision' and then follow the INSTALL.md instructions to build the project. Alternatively, download Meshroom (the GUI) for free from the official sources for Windows or Linux.
Can I customize the AliceVision pipeline?
Yes, AliceVision has a modular architecture that enables developers to use individual components or customize the pipeline for specific workflows. Meshroom provides a Python-based command line interface that can be used to create custom python scripts for pipeline customization and automation.
What is CCTag?
CCTag is a marker design system that AliceVision uses for camera tracking. The framework detects and identifies CCTag markers with sub-pixel precision while being largely robust to challenging shooting conditions. CCTag was developed as part of a French ANR project starting in 2009.
How do I get support or report bugs?
Use the public mailing list at [email protected] (http://groups.google.com/group/alicevision) to ask questions, request features, or share results and informal discussions. For private contact with the core team, use [email protected]. Report bugs using GitHub issues at http://github.com/alicevision/AliceVision/issues.