PFTrack 24.12.19 has just received a major update that significantly improves its scene reconstruction tools. This new version takes a big step forward for this software, which is already well-known in the visual effects and visualization industry, especially for its camera and object tracking capabilities.
PFTrack: A Trusted Tool in the Industry
Released over 20 years ago, PFTrack has earned the trust of professionals for being a flexible and very powerful tool for 3D tracking. Its node-based structure allows the use of both automatic and manual tools, making it ideal for precision work. Additionally, it has tools for correcting lens distortions, which greatly facilitates the work when it comes to fine adjustments in shots.
Scene Reconstruction with Photogrammetry and Lidar
Among the tools for reconstructing scenes, PFTrack offers a native photogrammetry set that allows reconstructing the geometry of a scene from still images or video, and it even has support for Lidar data. The highlight of this update is that the photogrammetry toolset has been completely overhauled, incorporating a machine learning-based matching engine in the Photo Survey node. This improves the speed and accuracy of the tool.
Improvements in Point Cloud Accuracy
One of the big new features is that the Point Cloud node now generates Lidar-quality results, allowing for greater accuracy when reconstructing complex scenes. New tools have also been added to clean point clouds, allowing manual removal of unwanted points, making the process much more efficient.
Other Improvements and Features
- Improvements in the Match Camera tool: Performance optimization.
- Support for point-based geometry: Incorporation of USD-based workflows.
- Improvements in export: Support for glTF, FBX, and export of stereoscopic disparity maps in OpenEXR.
This update is part of a continuous series of updates that PFTrack has been releasing throughout the year, constantly improving its tools. The full changelogs are available within the app, but you can also check the details of the previous version, PFTrack 24.08.22, on the official blog.
Conclusion
In summary, PFTrack 24.12.19 continues to establish itself as an essential tool for VFX professionals, with powerful updates in photogrammetry, scene reconstruction, and tracking, enabling a faster and more precise workflow.