Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

3DF Zephyr VS VisualSfM

Compare 3DF Zephyr VS VisualSfM and see what are their differences

3DF Zephyr logo 3DF Zephyr

Next up in my series of Photogrammetry Software Reviews — after ReMake, PhotoScan & RealityCapture — is 3DF Zephyr (including the Free version).

VisualSfM logo VisualSfM

VisualSFM is a GUI application for 3D reconstruction using structure from motion (SFM).
  • 3DF Zephyr Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-04-14
  • VisualSfM Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-02-19

3DF Zephyr features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    3DF Zephyr has an intuitive interface that is relatively easy for beginners to grasp while offering advanced features for experienced users.
  • Wide Range of Tools
    The software offers various tools and features for editing and enhancing 3D models, including texture mapping, meshing, and scaling tools.
  • Frequent Updates
    3DF Zephyr receives regular updates that enhance functionality and introduce new features, ensuring the software remains current and robust.
  • Accuracy and Detail
    The software provides high accuracy and detail in the photogrammetry process, making it suitable for professional applications.
  • Support for Various File Formats
    It supports multiple file formats, allowing for easy import and export of data between different 3D software.

Possible disadvantages of 3DF Zephyr

  • High System Requirements
    The software demands significant system resources, requiring powerful hardware to run smoothly, especially for processing large datasets.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, mastering the advanced tools and features can be challenging and time-consuming.
  • Cost
    3DF Zephyr can be expensive compared to other photogrammetry software options on the market, which may be a barrier for hobbyists or small businesses.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Users have reported occasional crashes or stability issues, particularly when handling very large projects.

VisualSfM features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    VisualSfM offers a straightforward and user-friendly interface, which makes it accessible for both beginners and experienced users in photogrammetry and 3D reconstruction.
  • Fast Processing
    The software is optimized to handle large datasets efficiently, leveraging multi-core CPUs and GPUs for faster computation, which significantly speeds up the reconstruction process.
  • Integration with CMVS/PMVS
    VisualSfM easily integrates with other tools like CMVS and PMVS, enhancing its capability for dense point cloud reconstruction and allowing more detailed models.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, users have the ability to modify and improve the software, and it allows for community collaboration and sharing of improvements or custom functionalities.

Possible disadvantages of VisualSfM

  • Limited Platform Support
    VisualSfM is primarily built for Windows and macOS, with limited support for Linux, which restricts its use for users relying heavily on other operating systems.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic features are user-friendly, advanced functionality may require a steep learning curve, especially for users new to photogrammetry.
  • Sparse Documentation
    The documentation for VisualSfM is not as comprehensive as some other software, potentially leading to difficulties for users attempting to troubleshoot or fully utilize all features.
  • Limited Support for Non-Standard Inputs
    VisualSfM may struggle with or not support non-standard or highly diverse image datasets, which can limit its use in some complex or custom projects.

3DF Zephyr videos

3D Scanning Review & Comparison: 3DF Zephyr Vs Autodesk Remake

More videos:

  • Review - 3d Modeling From Reality with 3DF Zephyr
  • Review - 3Dflow Academy - Videotutorial 1 - Basic 3DF Zephyr workflow - photogrammetry basics

VisualSfM videos

Free Photo Scanning Workflow! (VisualSFM and Meshlab)

More videos:

  • Review - Turn any camera into a 3D Scanner for FREE! (photogrammetry using VisualSFM)
  • Review - VisualSFM Mac Install - High Sierra Update - LINK UPDATED

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to 3DF Zephyr and VisualSfM)
3D
83 83%
17% 17
Architecture
77 77%
23% 23
Freelance
81 81%
19% 19
Photos & Graphics
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using 3DF Zephyr and VisualSfM. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, VisualSfM should be more popular than 3DF Zephyr. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

3DF Zephyr mentions (1)

  • URGENT! 3D scanning service or someone with a 3D scanner needed today!
    Third link should be: https://3dscanexpert.com/3df-zephyr-photogrammetry-software-review/. Source: over 3 years ago

VisualSfM mentions (2)

  • Softwares recommendations for non-Nvidia GPU
    Do a look on http://www.regard3d.org/ and http://ccwu.me/vsfm/ that not use acceleration. Source: over 3 years ago
  • My girlfriend wants me to print this. If anybody has the STL please reach out. Thanks
    There are a number of steps you can take to make an original of this following a similar idea. So the Etsy shop has images from multiple angles. Alternatively you can grab each frame from the shining with the desired facial expression and use a photogrammetry program and export to blender or whatever you use for 3D modeling. Source: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing 3DF Zephyr and VisualSfM, you can also consider the following products

Regard3D - Regard3D is a free, multiplatform, open-source structure-from-motion application.

ContextCapture - Acute3D develops breakthrough photogrammetry software solutions to automatically turn photos into photorealistic high resolution 3D models

openMVG - openMVG: "open Multiple View Geometry" is a c++ library for computer-vision scientists...

Pix4Dmapper - Photogrammetry software for professional drone-based mapping, purely from images.

RealityCapture - RealityCapture is a software solution which automatically produces high resolution 3D models from photographs or laser-scans.

Meshroom - Meshroom is a free, open-source 3D Reconstruction Software based on the AliceVision framework.