How to create a full 3D world out of a single flat 2D image?

 (by Jean-Sebastien Perron)

Click ot download the reference picture from inside a trailer

Watch the 3D video 100% made in Realsoft from the picture above

When do you need this technique

-To texture an object : you model an exact replica of your house from the exterior and you would like to texture it properly

-Take exterior pictures of your house from every corner and sides and project the picture onto your house model from the camera point of view

-To create stereoscopic images out of a single image

-For special effects : putting a character inside a "real" bedroom (to make the character project proper shadows)

-Just for fun of navigating inside an old picture dear to your memory

Overview

-We recreate roughly the shape of the scene showed on the picture

-We place the camera and the objects to match the real image

-Then we apply the picture as a "Camera Projection" mapped to all the object in the scene

Modeling

-Model a quick SDS cube that should represent as much possible the real dimensions of the real trailer

Camera and the Pyramid mapping object

-Since there is no "Camera Mapping" in Realsoft

-We will use a Pyramidal type of mapping attached to a camera instead

-Activate "Snap to Grid" and create a Camera on the central axis of the scene

-Set the camera to the proper "ratio" of the reference picture : 1536 / 2048 = 0.75

-Create a "Pyram" mapping object

-Place the "Pyram" object to match exactly the camera

-Put the "Pyramid Map" inside the Camera

-That way the "Pyramid Map" will always fallow the camera

-This is a bypass to get a view from the "Pyramid Map" object

Viewing from the "Pyramid Map Object"

-Crete a new "3D view"

-Set it to track the camera

-Set the ratio to 0.75

-Set the "Reference" picture as a backdrop for the view

-Now Adjust the camera "position", "rotation" and the "camera view angle"

-If you change the camera angle adjust the "Pyramid Map Object" to fit the camera

-Normally you should know the "real camera angle" from the manufacturer of the camera

-For the reference picture I did not have a clue, so I found 66.60 was good enough

-You should place the camera to match the real picture as much possible

-It takes many tries to find the perfect match

Texturing

-Crete the material for the scene

-Select it from the "Pyramid Map Object"

-Now that the "Pyramid Map Object" match exactly the "Reference picture"

-Drag and drop "Pyramid" so it will texture the SDS trailer

-This is a rendering from the exterior of the cube

Navigating

-Create a new camera and move it in the scene

-Voila!