Creating compact architectural models by geo-registering image collections

We present a method for automatically constructing compact, photo-realistic architectural 3D models. This method uses simple 3D building outlines obtained from existing GIS databases to bootstrap reconstruction and works with both structured and unstructured image datasets. We propose an optimal view-selection algorithm for selecting a small set of views for texture mapping that best describe the structure, while minimizing warping and stitching artifacts, and producing a consistent visual representation. The proposed method is fully automatic and can process large structured datasets in close to real-time, making it suitable for large scale urban modeling and 3D map construction.