Modelling system and method

A modelling system comprising:

• a panoramic camera configured to collect images covering a 360° overall field of view that subtends part of a sphere around the modelling system,
• a depth information collection system,
• at least one processor, and
• data storage,
• wherein:
• the panoramic camera comprises
• a plurality of imaging systems arranged such that the plurality of imaging systems together collect images covering the field of view without rotating the camera;
• and
• the modelling system is configured to:
• receive a part but not all of a 3D model of a structure or environment from an external data store and store the part but not all of the 3D model in the data storage of the modelling system;
• use the at least one imaging system to collect at least one image of a portion of the structure or environment associated with or represented by the part of the 3D model comprised in the data storage of the modelling system;
• determine or collect depth information for the part of the structure or environment associated with the part of the 3D model comprised in the data storage of the modelling system using the depth information collection system;
• and
• update the part of the 3D model comprised in the data storage of the modelling system with the at least one image and the depth information to form an updated part of the 3D model.

A system comprising a processing system and a modelling system, the modelling system comprising:

• a panoramic camera configured to collect images covering a 360° overall field of view that subtends part of a sphere around the modelling system,
• a depth information collection system, and
• data storage,
• wherein:
• the panoramic camera comprises
• a plurality of imaging systems arranged such that the plurality of imaging systems together collect images covering the field of view without rotating the camera;
• and
• the modelling system is configured to:
• receive a part but not all of a 3D model of a structure or environment from an external data store and store the part but not all of the 3D model in the data storage of the modelling system;
• use the at least one imaging system to collect at least one image of a portion of the structure or environment associated with or represented by the part of the 3D model comprised in the data storage of the modelling system;
• determine or collect depth information for the part of the structure or environment associated with the part of the 3D model comprised in the data storage of the modelling system using the depth information collection system;
• and
• update the part of the 3D model comprised in the data storage of the modelling system with the at least one image and the depth information to form an updated part of the 3D model;
• and
• the processing system comprising:
• at least one processor for modifying or creating at least part of the 3D model using one or more images and spatial data of an environment to be imaged or modelled, the one or more images and spatial data having been collected or determined by the modelling system;
• and
• a communications or interface module for communicating some or all of at least part of the 3D model with an external data store.