Compare COLMAP vs. Meshroom

COLMAP serves as a versatile pipeline for Structure-from-Motion (SfM) and Multi-View Stereo (MVS), featuring both graphical and command-line interfaces. This software provides an extensive array of functionalities for the reconstruction of both ordered and unordered collections of images. It operates under the new BSD license, with the most recent source code accessible on GitHub. Building upon previous research, users must also credit the original authors of specific algorithms utilized within COLMAP, as outlined in the source code documentation. For user convenience, the pre-compiled binaries for Windows include executables for both the graphical and command-line interfaces. To launch the COLMAP GUI, you can simply double-click the COLMAP.bat batch script or execute it from either the Windows command shell or Powershell. The command-line interface can be accessed in the same manner, as the batch script automatically configures the required library paths. Additionally, to view the list of available commands within COLMAP, you can execute COLMAP.bat -h in the cmd.exe command shell or Powershell. This flexibility in accessing the software makes it a powerful tool for image reconstruction tasks.

The process of generating a detailed textured mesh from still images using Meshroom is outlined, with Meshroom being a 3D reconstruction tool built on the open-source Photogrammetric Computer Vision Framework known as AliceVision. To enhance the reliability of SIFT feature extraction in difficult images, adjustments to default settings are made, along with the introduction of new filters and the implementation of a DSP-SIFT variant. Mesh quality is further improved through a new post-processing technique, where the status of cells—whether empty or full—is filtered based on solid angle ratios to promote a smoother appearance. Users on certain systems, such as Ubuntu, may encounter compatibility issues between native drivers and Mesa drivers, potentially resulting in an empty black screen. Importantly, AliceVision respects user privacy and does not gather or share any personal or system-related data without explicit consent. Additionally, this website utilizes Google Analytics to collect session data regarding page views, which is solely used to gain insights into user interaction with the website and the overall AliceVision project, ensuring that user experience continues to improve. This commitment to both functionality and privacy reflects a dedication to user satisfaction and software reliability.