Agisoft Metashape

Agisoft Metashape (PhotoScan) is a high-end professional tool for photogrammetry, a process of capturing 3D object information by taking simultaneous photographs from either the array of photo cameras or large framerate capturing of landscape areas using UAV flights.



Developed by the Agisoft LLC from St. Petersburg, Russia, this comprehensive solution has quickly found its way not only in multimedia productions of numerous sizes (from small indie videogames to large AAA gaming projects and Hollywood films), but also real-word 3D capturing project pipelines created by various branches of science and UAV data-collection companies.

Today, this photogrammetry pipeline is particularly popular in the field of archeology, helping scientists to record the structure and exact definition of the excavation area, from large scale, scans to the ultra-detailed recordings of the individual objects or areas.

Developed as standalone software that can fit the needs of all of its customers, Agisoft Metashape Pro can easily process the photogrammetric digital images and create detailed 3D spatial data that can be easily exported into other programs.

With built in-tools and procedures for fast deployment in both studio and outdoor environments, PhotoScan 64 bit can be deployed in various GIS applications, cultural heritage documentation, visual effects production, and even ultra-precise indirect measurements of objects no matter their scale.

It supports features such as Photogrammetric triangulation, point cloud editing and classification, comprehensive support for ground control points and georeferenced orthomosaic export, streamlined 3D model generation and texturing, panorama stitching, network and more.

Agisoft Metashape 64 bit is available in two packages – Standard version that is well-suited for many interactive media tasks, and Pro version that can handle large-scale GIS content.

The app is optimized for Windows OS (32-bit and 64-bit), Linux and macOS, and can be downloaded and tested for FREE under a fully-featured 30-day trial license.



How to Use

• Install Agisoft Metashape on your PC
• Launch the application and create a new project
• Import your photos into the workspace
• Align photos to generate sparse point cloud
• Build dense point cloud from aligned images
• Generate mesh model from dense point cloud
• Create texture and build DEM/orthomosaic
• Export your 3D model or mapping data

Professional Edition VS Standard Edition

• Both support key photogrammetry features like triangulation, dense point clouds, and textured 3D model creation.
• The Professional edition adds DSM/DTM generation, orthomosaic creation, and georeferencing with flight logs or GCPs.
• It also includes support for markers, scale bars, and automated target detection.
• Both editions handle frame, fisheye, and spherical/cylindrical cameras, plus video input.
• Professional supports multi-camera setups, multispectral/thermal imagery, LiDAR, satellite images, and scanned photos.
• Only the Professional edition allows advanced measurements, vegetation index calculations, and power line detection.
• It includes tools for classifying point clouds, generating contour lines, editing DEMs and seamlines.
• Automation in the Professional edition includes batch processing, Python scripting, and headless operation.
• For large datasets, it offers GPU acceleration, tiled models, network and cloud processing.
• Special features include panorama stitching, texture map generation, 4D modeling, and site mission planning.
• Professional also supports video rendering, 3D PDF export, online sharing, and Agisoft Viewer.
• Licensing options include trials, perpetual and floating licenses, and service provider plans.

Pricing

Agisoft Metashape Professional Edition: Node-locked license for $3,499.

Agisoft Metashape Standard Edition: Node-locked license for $179.

System Requirements

• OS: Windows 11, 10, 8 or 7 (64-bit)
• CPU: Intel or AMD with 64-bit support
• RAM: 8 GB minimum (16 GB recommended)
• GPU: OpenGL 4.1 compatible graphics card
• Storage: 20 GB of free hard disk space
• Display: 1280x1024 resolution or higher

PROS

• Accurate photogrammetry results
• Easy to use with intuitive UI
• Extensive export format options
• Strong automation with Python API
• Works offline, no internet needed

CONS

• High system resource usage
• Limited real-time processing
• Expensive for professional license
• Long processing time on big datasets

Note: 30 days trial version.