Use Autodesk ReCap Photo to create 3D models for Dynamics 365 Guides or for mixed-reality components included in apps created with Power Apps

  • Article
  • seven minutes to read

This tutorial guides you through the process of using Autodesk ReCap Photo photogrammetry software to create 3D models that can be used with Microsoft Dynamics Guides and for mixed-reality components included in apps created with Microsoft Power Apps.

This tutorial is created only for informational purposes, to evidence how Recap Photo works with Dynamics 365 Guides and Power Apps. Microsoft Corporation isn't affiliated with, isn't a partner of, and doesn't endorse or sponsor Autodesk or any of its products.

What is Autodesk ReCap Photo?

Autodesk ReCap Photo processes photographs that are taken from drones to create 3D representations of current conditions of sites, objects, and more. Learn more than about Autodesk ReCap Photo.

Installing Autodesk ReCap Photo

You can sign up for a free trial of Autodesk Recap Photo.

Photography tips

The following tips will help y'all take quality photos for photogrammetry:

  • If you can, take photos in a location where lighting is consistent and doesn't cast shadows.

  • Attempt to keep your own shadow out of the picture.

  • Make sure that there are no moving objects in the groundwork when you have the photos.

  • If the camera that yous're using has a high dynamic range (HDR) setting, turn the feature off, and attempt not to suit the exposure of your photographs while you capture images.

  • Take pictures near 1 meter apart while yous circle the object.

  • If you tin can, maintain a perpendicular location relative to the object while you have photos.

  • If the object is big, move in a lateral movement from one cease of the object to the other. Modify the height at each pass until you've captured all surfaces.

Showtime a new project

  1. Open up Autodesk Recap Photo. When y'all kickoff open Autodesk Epitomize Photograph, you lot'll encounter the dashboard.

    Note

    On the dashboard, you tin select either Aeriform or Object to create a new 3D projection. This tutorial covers the Object workflow.

  2. Nether Create 3D, select Object.

    Object option.

  3. Click anywhere on the page that appears, according to the prompt, and then add the photos that you want to use to create your 3D model. Afterwards you lot've finished importing the photos, select Create.

    Create button.

  4. On the Create Project page, enter a name for your projection, and then select Offset to process your photos. Processing can take some time, depending on the number of photos that you added and the speed of your internet connection.

    Create Project page.

    Note

    At this point, you can use the Autocrop feature if you want. This tutorial shows how to ingather the 3D model later in the process.

  5. After your 3D model has been candy, it appears in the My Cloud Drive department of the dashboard. Select the Download this project from the cloud (downward pointer) push to download your 3D model.

    Download this project from the cloud button.

  6. Select a location to save your model to, and and then select Select Folder.

    Select folder to extract mesh to dialog box with Select Folder button selected.

  7. Y'all'll see a new 3D model that has the proper noun that you entered. Select the model to open up information technology in the editor.

    New model.

    Your 3D model is loaded on the editor page.

    Model loaded on the editor page.

Edit the 3D model

Several tools are available on the left side and at the bottom of the editor page. Yous tin use these tools to clean up your 3D model. Experiment with these tools to clean upwards the parts of your 3D model that you lot don't desire to keep. This tutorial shows how to remove the floor from the model.

  1. At the bottom of the editor page, select the Lasso/Contend tool.

    Lasso/Fence tool.

  2. Use the Lasso/Fence tool to select everything except the object that you want to keep.

    Floor selected.

  3. Printing Enter, and then press Delete. You might have to echo these steps a few times to remove most of the flooring.

  4. Select the Piece tool to remove the rest of the floor. This tool creates a slicing plane that you can use to cut away geometry below a specific point. The following settings are available in the Slice dialog box:

    • Fill up: Select this option to close the model, based on the boundary of the open surface area of the model. In some cases, filling might not be like shooting fish in a barrel.

    • No fill up: Select this option to leave the model as an open model.

    • Transform plane: Select this check box to align the plane and then that the floor isn't visible.

    Slicing tool settings.

  5. When the model looks the fashion that you want it to, select Apply.

The residual of the floor is removed from your 3D model and the mesh on the bottom is filled.

Decimate the 3D model to assist increase performance

Subsequently yous've finished removing the parts of the mesh that you don't want to keep, yous can decimate it to a polygon count that meets the performance targets for Dynamics 365 Guides and Power Apps.

  1. On the left side of the editor page, select the Decimate mesh tool.

    Decimate mesh tool.

  2. In the Decimate dialog box, in the Target confront count field, specify a polygon count that balances visual fidelity with operation requirements.

    Annotation

    Unless precise geometry is very important, don't select the Best geometry check box, because it will remove your textures. The textures that are produced through photogrammetry add significant detail to the 3D model.

    Decimate settings.

  3. Select Decimate all.

The 3D model is optimized and ready for export.

Optimized geometry.

Export the 3D model as an OBJ file

Earlier you tin can use the 3D model in Dynamics 365 Guides or Power Apps, information technology must be in the GLB file format. In this step, you'll export the model every bit an OBJ file that can then be converted to a GLB file.

  1. On the left side of the editor page, select the Consign button, then select the Export model push button to open the consign settings.

    Export model button.

  2. In the Export model dialog box, in the Export equally field, select OBJ as the consign file type, and then, in the Size field, select 4096x4096 as the texture size. When yous've finished, select Export.

    Note

    Although you tin can select a larger or smaller texture size, exist enlightened that the size volition affect either performance or visual fidelity.

    Export model settings.

  3. Select a location to salvage your file to, and and so select Select Folder.

    Select Folder button.

The 3D model is exported to the folder that you selected.

Use Blender to convert the OBJ file to a GLB file

There are several applications that you tin use to catechumen an OBJ file to a GLB file. This tutorial shows how to use Blender.

What is Blender?

Blender is a gratis, open-source 3D cosmos suite. It supports the whole 3D pipeline: modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and move tracking, and video editing and game creation.

If y'all use Blender to prepare your 3D models, review the information on the Blender website, and download the latest version for Windows.

Import your 3D model into Blender

  1. Open Blender. A new scene is automatically created.

  2. Right-click the cube, and then select Delete to delete it.

    Delete command.

  3. On the File menu, select Import > Wavefront (.obj) to import the OBJ file.

    Wavefront (.obj) command.

  4. Under Import OBJ, follow these steps:

    1. Clear the Object and Group check boxes, and select the Prototype Search check box.

      Import OBJ settings.

    2. Select Import OBJ. Blender imports the 3D model as a single detail and searches the subfolder for any materials.

      Import OBJ button.

Export the 3D model as a GLB file

The last step is to consign the model every bit a GLB file so that it tin be used with Dynamics 365 Guides or Power Apps.

  1. In Blender, on the File menu, select Export > glTF two.0 (.glb/.gltf).

    glTF 2.0 (.glb/.gltf) command.

  2. Under Export glTF 2.0, in the Format field, select glTF Binary (.glb), and and then select the Selected Objects check box.

    Export glTF 2.0 settings.

  3. Enter a name for your file.

    File named.

  4. Select Consign glTF 2.0.

    Export glTF 2.0 button.

View a 3D model in Dynamics 365 Guides or Power Apps

After yous've prepared a 3D model, use the following links to learn more about using the model in Dynamics 365 Guides or Power Apps:

  • Dynamics 365 Guides

  • Power Apps

More information

Screenshots in this tutorial were taken from the Autodesk Epitomize Photo software plan to provide articulate instructions about how to use the ReCap Photo software. To learn more virtually Epitomize Photo and Blender, run into the following pages:

  • Autodesk Epitomize Photo

  • Blender

Microsoft Corporation is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for amercement of any kind arising out of the use of Autodesk Epitomize Photo, or reliance on these instructions. This document is created only to provide general data to our customers and does not take into consideration any individualized business plans or specifications.

The use in this document of trademarked names and images is strictly for informative and descriptive purposes, and no commercial merits to their employ, or proffer of sponsorship or endorsement, is fabricated by Microsoft Corporation.