Combining Google Maps, Photogrammetry and Pointcloud Data into Revit 2016

Arne Folkestad Bjelland's Tutorial

Here is a video that I stumbled upon, by Arne Folkestad Bjelland, while trying to figure out how to get 3D building information from google earth into Revit. In the past there have been far more complicated ways to do this, and to save the confusion we're just going to forget about those old ways, and stick with this! Below is a recording of my take on the process!





On Arne's blog he explains the simple process as so:

"I guess I have a hang up on photogrammetry lately. But I enjoy the way you can move data quickly in an effortless operation.

Google Maps is getting better and better, and to be honest I am really amazed how you can view an entire city in great detail. We use Google Maps in our office to investigate exciting sites and surroundings, and I have thought that it would have been valuable to import this information into Revit.

And guess what, by using photogrammetry I made it happen:)

In short:

• open google maps in full screen and find your building site
• rotate the view around your site meanwhile you press «print screen» as often as you wish
• with dropbox installed, the «print screens» should be perfectly downloaded automatically
• you should crop your photos to get rid of unwanted text/labels. You can do this by making an «action» in Photoshop and then choose «File» – «Scripts» – «Image Processor» to crop every photos in a folder
• then you make a mesh in Memento with your cropped photos and export it in RCP
• import it into Revit and enjoy

PS! For fun, I also tried to do photogrammetry with Google Streetview. It was not successful but I will try again later. I do have some ideas:)"

Thank you Arne Folkestad Bjelland this is brilliant!

I also had never used Momento before, but here is a link for you all to check it out. It's another great Autodesk product that's currently in beta!

https://memento.autodesk.com/about

Some additional features coming soon and news about Memento!
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/reality-computing/autodesk-memento-is-evolving-fast-check-out-what-s-new/ba-p/5808205

Here's a link to his blog, and his absolutely brilliant approach.

https://digitalstoryofanarchitect.wordpress.com/2015/09/12/combining-google-maps-photogrammetry-and-pointcloud-into-revit/


UPDATE!

I have ran two image processes thus far, and it is confirmed that you can use Google Earth Pro, or any images for that matter! Have fun exploring!


Note 09/14/2015:

Amr Kamal, BSc., EIT, PMP

Sent me this wonderful tip, in case anyone else was wondering how to take the screenshots in a more convenient way!

Hi Brian,
Thank you for the video that you posted, i have a small suggestion, 
If you use Google earth you have the option to record a tour and then if you make a movie of that tour in Google earth and export that movie into images you will have hundreds of high quality images from google earth without pressing any print screen.

Regards,

Amr

18 images before processing, and processed with Google Earth Browser Edition

100 images before processing, and processed with Google Earth Pro

Final Image Composed of Downtown Core

The Revit Import

Revit Point Cloud Section - Downtown Bozeman, Montana