RECAP without cloud, ie Using your own hardware to process.

[nicolasmenu]

Hi Anil, Hi all,

Just got a few questions as I am digging into the "new" Recap photo...

1) Is your statement :
"Regarding cloud credit question, when you process Photo to 3D project using ultra mode it will required cloud credits.  If you are not happy with output and resubmit project for process, then it will be free."

Is this statement still valid today ?

2) I can't found how you to resubmit a job that I am not happy with, without reconsuming cloud credits...

3) A few weeks ago (with Remake/Recap) processing photo on your local machine was possible but now with the new Recap Photo this option is gone.
Only cloud processing is possible. Is this really something on Autodesk's roadmap to re-introduce this option ?

4) I do believe the options to process Ultra or standard is gone, ... am I right ?

Thanks for your time and kind Regards,
Nicolas

[Anonymous]

Yes, I see there is another with a similar situation. Remake on a local machine was letting me "build" a segment of documentarians who would eventually purchase a "local" permit, or license, to use the software in the field. I agree that using a phone to upload images, wait, download, proof, correct and etc. is not at all practical for archaeological study or capture of cultural artifacts. With a "local" program producing the models, we can send an images by phone to advisers and scholars to assess findings. Without the ability to field-process, plus the cost to process in the cloud, the use of 3D documentation by field archaeologists is gone. 

I can't see where there were so many people exploring uses for Remake that they presented a challenge to the profitability of Autodesk. The issue for me is that my approach to initiate the preservation of historic industries was built on the ability of stakeholders to produce 3D discussion models. That work now must be modified and funding found for Agisoft Photoscan ($3499) with the ability to measure and geo-locate...probably won't happen.

[mcramblet]

I'm testing 3DF Zephyr. It has a nice set of tools and have, so far, had good results. The Free version is good for testing and very basic use, the Lite version is very affordable and allows up to 500 images. I'd also recommend people take a look at it.

[Anonymous]

First test of 3DF Zephyr makes one appreciate the elegance Autodesk
designed into Remake!

3DF works "ok", is slower that Remake and the Free version doesn't
allow us to measure and export the mesh. For field examination we're able
to "proof" but exporting a .jpg is no value since we may as well send one
digital image. Best advice on 3DF, as compared to Remake, the Free version
works enough to provide a preview of what can be done with more expensive
versions. A good program to consider for sure,

[mcramblet]

I've been able to export all of my test models made with the free version and bring them into other programs. There is a measure tool, but the ability to set a unit of measurement, then measure and scale is only available in the high end versions.

True, Remake is/was better. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

How are you exporting and to what formats? All I found in the Workplace was
a ..pdf or .jpg....

[mcramblet]

In the version I'm using (3DF Zephyr Free 3.5), there is an Export menu, with the option to "Export Textured Mesh". The 3 options are PLY, Obj/Mtl and Upload to SketchFab. I've only used the Obj option and it has worked for me. I don't think the option becomes available until after the whole Workflow has been completed (Dense Point Cloud Generation, Mesh Extraction, then Textured Mesh Generation).

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tip. Yes, have 3DF run the complete process and the export
option appears. The model can be exported as an .obj, scaled and measured
in ReCap Pro....at $300/year that's doable. Limiting the process to 50
photos (3DF Free version) will be adequate for most field proofing and can
be expanded back in the lab. For those that don't need to measure and
locate 3DF Free is a fine option.

Processing of a 14 image model took 12 minutes on an older laptop running
Win 10 and 8G of ram.

[nicolasmenu]

just curious but did some of you tested Colmap, it is open source and seems promising
I have read a few interresting reviews (one here : https://pfalkingham.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/photogrammetry-testing-8-colmap/) but would like to know if someone using Recap Photo also tried Colmap 

Cheers, Nicolas

[Anonymous]

Checking this out right now actually. Being honest nothing has given me as good of results as Remake yet, its incredibly frustrating.. I have a week and a half to get any pending scans done and then I need to figure out what I'm doing.

I can't remember the last time I was in a situation I was having a piece of software I love using actually just taken away from me, this is a horrible customer experience and will forever play a role in me supporting Autodesk products again.

If any representatives read this, please understand I'm saying I love your product and am angry you're taking it away, that is the only area where my frustrations lie.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I understand your frustration. Following your previous post I looked
at Colmap to determine A, the processing of images and B, the interface(s)
and ease of use for someone having limited computer knowledge. On the
first, the demo images appear very good but on the second, the complexity
of installing and going through Meshlab (I've never had a good experience
with ML although others swear by it) puts it beyond the skill and/or
interest level of the members of stakeholder groups I am working to engage.
Due to the "manual" style of installation and processing I decided to
postpone the installation of Colmap for now. Maybe someone will automate or
package the softwares (tried VisualSFM once.....once) sometime down the
road.

It is my fault for not considering the removal of local processing in
future versions of Remake or its replacement. Shame on me. For now, the 3DF
Zephyr is enough to make my argument and will have to do. Thank the authors
of 3DF Zephyr.

[Daphnis26]

I just wanted to add my frustration about the monetization changes. I've been using Recap360 for years at $50/year. I created so much and it was great!

Now Autodesk has discontinued the online portal and requires the use of Recap Photo fueled by its "cloud credits". $12/scan just seems egregious to me. What am I even subscribed for? So that I can complete 9 scans per year? Having installed Recap Photo I discovered I had 0 credits so my only option to test this software out now is to purchase cloud credits for $100! Like many others, I like to scan certain objects in pieces for the best result, which is going to cost a lot now.

I feel like these are basically microtransactions and that means I'm out. I'm getting curious about Reality Capture. I loved Recap360 and have been boasting about it for years. It was so straightforward and cost effective. Very dissapointed by Autodesks end-game here.

[Anonymous]

Couldn't agree more. Cloud processing was out of the question so I
followed zachzbecker's advice and tried 3DF Zephyr. I've found that for my
application and research, the 50 images limit in the free version is
adequate for simple projects and even at $150 for 500 images, the "Lite"
version isn't that bad. The downside of the free and lite versions is the
lack of scale and measuring options but for now, Zephyr is on the ground
and running while Autodesk has it's head in the cloud(s)..

[Anonymous]

Wow, Autodesk is awful.  Requiring all cloud processing?  I cannot agree with that move.  I hope they go out of business for these poor decisions.

[Anonymous]

They won't - too big to fail.

[Anonymous]

I just spent a day installing Recap, getting desktop connector to work (occasionally), and running a 66 image model that queued overnight and failed with no explanation of what went wrong. Cloud-only is a killer, and I am just uninstalling the software. Hopeless.

[Anonymous]

When the cloud version became the only version, my internet connection was
too slow to handle the uploads. The message from Autodesk was clear - "we
don't need your business". So, like a failed relationship, I moved on to
3DF Zephyr and haven't looked back. Recap worked so well but like a good
looking girlfriend who won't make a meatloaf, I found one that would.

[Anonymous]

Since my post, I did some quick research on 3D software. I tried Pix4D first, but it wanted my files to be georegistered, which s not relevant for my needs, so then I tried 3DF Zephyr. I put the images that Recap wouldn't render into the free version of 3DF Zephyr; they rendered without a hitch and without recourse to the cloud. Seeing the results, I retook the images (of a rock hand specimen, using a rotating lazy Susan table from the kitchen in a light box), put them back into Zephyr and went to play tennis. On my return, I have a nicely rendered 3D object and have also reclaimed ~5Gb of my SSD by removing Recap and associated software it needs to (not) function. I will practise a bit more with the free version of Zephyr and then see if one of the paid versions would work better for me. I can certainly recommend 3DF Zephyr

[delvalles]

FREE LOCAL PROCESSING!!! OR we'll start using freeware like Mushroom, CloudCompare, Meshlab. It seems ridiculous to pay for a software to then pay to get stuff done. A scam basically. 

[phil.whittle]

Im a brand new user to ReCap and wanted to produce a DEM from 3000+ photos. We have used DJI Terra and Pix4D Mapper but currently looking for alternatives as the Pix4D Field subscription we have does not create high resolution DEMs. I did not see any mention when purchasing ReCap that I would have to pay for credits for every job or that we could only use the cloud processing option! Very disappointed. I have just paid $150 for 100 credits to allow me to process this one project (just need to get it done).

I also dont understand the arguement about it being "scaleable" in the cloud. I had to limit my project to 2000 images as that is all it would take. I can to as many as I like on my local machine, running of an SSD so its much quicker than loading GB of images (even if you could).

[LiamMc-X]

COLMAP to the rescue after greedy ol' Autodesk stuck their hand out wanting money just to use a program we already pay almost 50 grand for as part of our collection licenses. Can't even throw in a couple of tokens a year? And where do their profits go? Certainly isn't spent on fixing any bugs that plague every package they sell.