Blender_ImportDepthMap

Blender Add-On to import Depth Maps and create 3D displacement models from them.

Refer to this tutorial for instructions on how to use the add-on.

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Overview

This code is based on the original work by Elin (Ladypoly). The original code is referenced here.

We modified this code to make minor adjustments and add Field of View functionality. Version 1.1.1 from Ladypoly was used as the basis for these modifications. The modifications resulted in the add-on used in the tutorial. Below is an explanation of:

1. The basic operation of the third-party add-on.
2. The modifications performed by the Immersity AI team and the rationale behind them.

Note: A basic understanding of Blender is assumed.

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Features of Basic Functionality

• User Input:

  • File location of the RGB image.
  • File location of the Monochrome Depth Map.

• Output:

  • A Plane object is created.
  • The RGB image is mapped to the plane object as:
    • Base Color.
    • Emission (to make rendering independent of light sources, giving the image a “glow” effect). This avoids uneven brightness and unwanted shadows in the final rendering.

• Depth Map Handling:

  • The Depth Map is placed into a Texture.
  • Modifications made to the original code:
    • The image is mapped using the extend method to prevent UV wrapping around the plane, which can cause edge artifacts.
    • The image color space is changed from sRGB to Raw to prevent color corrections from affecting depth.

• Plane Modifications:

  • The Plane is subdivided into a mesh:
    • Original add-on: 6 levels of subdivision.
    • Modified version: Increased to 8 levels.
  • The Plane is curved using a Deform Modifier to correct for Camera Field of View distortions:
    • Modifier is anchored to an empty object for easier orientation of deformations.
    • Both the modifier and the empty object are additions to the original code.
  • The Plane is displaced using a Displacement Modifier with reference to the Depth Map Texture.

• Rendering:

  • Rendering can be performed with the faster Eevee Render Engine, as light/material interaction is unnecessary. This avoids unwanted artifacts introduced by more complex rendering engines.

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Additional Functionality (Not Covered in the Tutorial)

• Importing of Panoramas.
• Automatic Camera Rig Setup.

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Acknowledgements

A big shoutout to Elin (Ladypoly) for making the original code available under the GNU licensing.