Autodesk Announces ImageModeler 2009

Autodesk announced the release of ImageModeler 2009 at SIGGRAPH last week. This is the first Autodesk release of the software since they purchased it from REALVIZ. ImageModeler is used to create photorealistic 3D objects from photographs, including accurate 3D measurements.

Its features include:
New calibration engine
Generates a 3D model or scene using calibration points based on one or more panoramas or photos.
3D measurement
Using the ruler toolset, calculate real-world distances and angles between points, eliminating the need for complex laser measurements on site.
High-performance photo texturing
Get high-quality texture extraction with texture mapping that is a one-click, automatic process with built-in photorealism.
Friendly user interface
View source images as thumbnails.
Improved interoperability with Autodesk software
Works with Maya, 3ds Max, MotionBuilder, and AutoCAD.
Calibration
Automatic calculation of camera parameters (such as position and focal length)
Ability to supply a reference coordinate system and a reference distance (standard) to impose a global scale
Modeling
Interactive and intuitive modeling
Interactive editing of Pivot point
Constraint modeling (working planes, axis constraints)
Editable properties for each tool
Interactive help for a better understanding of the tools
Polygonal modeling
3D measurement tools (coordinates, distances, angles)
Texturing
Capture textures from original images and retouch them directly in Autodesk ImageModeler if necessary
Automatic unfolding of the 3D surface elements with minimization of distortion
Automatic split of the 3D scene into developing elements
Quality control of the generated textures
Input Formats Supported
TGA (.tga), Silicon Graphics(.sgi), PNG (.png), JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg), PICT (.pict), Portable Grey Map (.pgm). Portable Pixmap (.ppm), CINEON format (.cin)
Exports To Latest Formats
3ds Max (.max), OBJ, DWG, Maya software, STL (PC only), VRML, Export to COLLADA format (supported by Google Earth 1.4 mapping service), QuickTime VR

Video Demonstrations can be viewed at:
http://imagemodeler.realviz.com/photomodeling-software-products/imagemodeler/demonstration-software.html