Skip to main content

Photograph Context Menu

Commands available when right-clicking a Photograph in the Data Tree. Photographs are georeferenced images positioned in 3D space, typically used for photogrammetry, documentation, or visualisation purposes.

Goto​

Menu name: Goto Tooltip Move the 3D view to the photograph position.

What it does Centres and zooms the 3D view on the selected photograph, positioning the camera to view the photograph's location and orientation in 3D space. The view shows where the photograph is positioned relative to other project data.

When to use it

  • Locating photographs in the 3D scene
  • Reviewing photograph spatial relationships
  • Navigating between multiple photographs

Notes The view centres on the photograph's position (typically camera location for photogrammetry images, or image plane centre for positioned photos).

Transform​

Translate​

Menu name: Translate Tooltip Move photograph by specified offset.

What it does See Translate in Shared Commands for complete documentation. Opens dialogue to move the photograph by specified X, Y, Z offsets. This adjusts the photograph's position in 3D space.

When to use it

  • Repositioning photographs to correct alignment
  • Adjusting photo positions after coordinate transformations
  • Fine-tuning photogrammetry camera positions

Notes Moves the photograph's position and orientation together. Does not modify the image content, only its 3D placement.

Scale​

Menu name: Scale Tooltip Scale photograph by specified factors.

What it does See Scale in Shared Commands for complete documentation. Opens dialogue to scale the photograph by factors along X, Y, Z axes. For oriented photographs, this affects the distance from the camera position and the image plane size.

When to use it

  • Adjusting photograph display size in 3D space
  • Correcting scale errors in photogrammetry positions
  • Resizing image planes for visualisation

Notes Scaling affects the photograph's spatial extent. Uniform scaling (equal X, Y, Z factors) preserves aspect ratio. Non-uniform scaling can distort the photograph's representation.

Edit Matrix​

Menu name: Edit Matrix Tooltip Manually edit photograph transformation matrix.

What it does Opens dialogue displaying the photograph's 4×4 transformation matrix. Allows direct editing of matrix elements defining the photograph's position, orientation, and scale in 3D space. This provides low-level control over the photograph's spatial placement.

When to use it

  • Fine-tuning photograph positions with precise numerical values
  • Applying known transformation matrices from external sources
  • Advanced photogrammetry adjustments
  • Troubleshooting positioning issues

Notes

Advanced Operation

Direct matrix editing requires understanding of 3D transformation mathematics. Incorrect values can place photographs in invalid positions. The matrix combines rotation, translation, and scale transformations.

Matrix format is typically 4×4 homogeneous coordinates (rotation/scale in upper-left 3×3, translation in right column, bottom row for perspective).

Reset Rotations​

Menu name: Reset Rotations Tooltip Remove all rotations from photograph orientation.

What it does Resets the photograph's rotation components to identity (zero rotation), removing all rotational transformations. The photograph returns to axis-aligned orientation whilst preserving its position and scale. This is useful for correcting erroneous rotations or starting fresh with orientation.

When to use it

  • Removing incorrect rotations from photographs
  • Resetting orientation before applying new rotations
  • Simplifying photograph transformations
  • Troubleshooting orientation issues

Notes Only affects rotation - position (translation) and scale are preserved. After reset, the photograph is aligned with world coordinate axes. Useful when rotation has become corrupted or needs to be recalculated.

Update Position to Viewpoint​

Menu name: Update Position to Viewpoint Tooltip Set photograph position to match current 3D view.

What it does Sets the photograph's position and orientation to match the current 3D viewport camera. The photograph is placed at the current view location with the same viewing direction. This provides an interactive way to position photographs by navigating the view to the desired location.

When to use it

  • Interactively positioning photographs by eye
  • Placing photographs at specific viewpoints
  • Documenting specific views with photographs
  • Creating photo locations that match known views

Notes This overwrites the photograph's current position and orientation. Navigate the 3D view to the desired position/angle before applying. Particularly useful for positioning documentation photos or creating photo stations. The photograph will be positioned as if the camera were at the current viewpoint.

Illumination​

Set Illumination To Match Image​

Menu name: Set Illumination To Match Image Tooltip Adjust scene lighting to match photograph illumination.

What it does Analyses the selected photograph to estimate illumination direction and colour temperature, then adjusts the 3D scene's lighting to match. This creates consistent lighting between the photograph and rendered 3D objects, improving visual integration of photographs with 3D models.

When to use it

  • Matching lighting for photorealistic rendering
  • Integrating photographs with 3D reconstructions
  • Creating consistent visualisation between photos and models
  • Setting up scene lighting based on field conditions

Notes

Automatic Analysis

Illumination estimation is automatic but approximate. Works best with photographs containing clear shadows or highlights. Results depend on photograph content and lighting conditions.

Adjusts directional light source angle and intensity. May also affect ambient light and colour temperature. Multiple photographs may have conflicting illumination - apply this command to the primary reference photograph.

Export​

Export Image​

Menu name: Export Image Tooltip Export photograph image to file.

What it does Opens file save dialogue to export the photograph's image data to an external image file. Supported formats typically include JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and BMP. This exports the image content without spatial positioning information.

When to use it

  • Extracting images from the project
  • Creating image copies for external use
  • Archiving photograph imagery
  • Preparing images for image processing software

Notes Exports image content only - spatial position, orientation, and camera parameters are not included. For georeferenced export with spatial information, use standard Export command. Output format affects image quality and file size (JPEG is lossy, PNG/TIFF are lossless).

Object Operations​

Delete​

Menu name: Delete Tooltip Permanently remove photograph from project.

What it does See Delete in Shared Commands for complete documentation. Permanently removes the photograph from the project database. The photograph's spatial position and any associated metadata are deleted.

When to use it

  • Removing unwanted or redundant photographs
  • Cleaning up photogrammetry projects
  • Deleting incorrectly positioned photographs

Notes

Cannot be undone

Operation is permanent. The photograph image file itself (on disk) is typically not deleted - only the reference and positioning in the project. To remove images from the project completely, delete image files separately if needed.