ValTerra plugin loads 3D city models from Google and OpenStreetMap into 3ds Max and matches the scene camera to a drone photo

The ValTerra plugin has been released for 3ds Max. It loads a 3D city model into the scene, positions the sun by date and coordinates on a 3D globe, and matches the scene camera to a drone photo. Developer Valeriy Nikulin of the Ukrainian company Shall We Art claims a camera matching accuracy of 0.56 pixels RMS. He obtained this figure on his own test case.

For visualizers, the plugin should reduce manual work at the preparation stage. The surroundings of the building no longer need to be modeled or bought ready-made, and the camera doesn't have to be matched to an aerial photo by eye.

Where the plugin gets the city from

ValTerra works with two types of data, and the choice determines what geometry ends up in the scene.

• Photorealistic 3D Tiles. These are photorealistic 3D city models similar to those seen in Google Earth. Access requires your own Google Maps Platform key or a Cesium ion token. In this case, the terms of use and payment are set by the chosen provider, which bills the user directly.
• OpenStreetMap. From open data, the plugin builds a schematic environment: building volumes with real footprints and heights, roads as splines, and terrain from open elevation tiles. This geometry can be used as context around the building being designed.

Sun and camera matched to a real shoot

The second group of tools is needed when a render has to be integrated into a real shot. The user selects a point on the globe, a date and a time, and the plugin positions the sun as it would be at that location. This makes it possible to plan a drone shoot in advance or match the lighting to an existing photo.

The matching module fits the virtual 3ds Max camera to a drone photo. According to the product website, it uses the image metadata and control points, which are placed on the photo and in the scene with the help of a magnifier. According to the developer, this level of accuracy allows the render to be integrated directly into the shot.

According to the description on the website, the plugin works with any renderer.

Pricing and availability

A trial version can be downloaded from the ValTerra website. The trial is free and lasts 30 days. After it ends, a free Lite mode remains available. According to the website, the schematic city and terrain from open data can be imported without restrictions, while photorealistic import is limited by area and level of detail.

The starting price of the full version is $169 per seat. Sales have not opened yet, but you can sign up for the list and buy a license at this price later. The plugin supports 3ds Max 2024 and newer.

What this changes for archviz

ValTerra arrives as photorealistic city models have become available through the public APIs of mapping platforms, and developers of plugins for DCC packages are beginning to integrate this data directly into the artist's working environment. Previously, architectural visualization typically relied on a combination of separate programs, exports and converters for this, and the viewpoint was chosen manually.

Small archviz studios and freelancers working in 3ds Max will probably benefit the most: they may no longer need to order environment modeling or spend a long time matching the camera by hand. The free period lets you test the plugin on a real project before buying. Things may become harder for those who sell ready-made urban context models.

If the trend continues, working with real-world coordinates will probably become a standard part of the architectural visualization pipeline. At the same time, map data licenses, API terms of use and proper source attribution on final images will become more important for studios.

Will ValTerra replace manual environment assembly and camera matching to drone photos for you?