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SkySplat

ADVANCED
📖4 min read
SkySplat (free): Gaussian Splatting made easy
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Introduction​

SkySplat is a Blender addon that handles the full pipeline for creating 3D Gaussian Splats from drone footage. It supports multiple instances and Blender 5.0, covering video import, frame extraction, COLMAP reconstruction, model transformation, camera animation, and Gaussian Splatting training — all within Blender.

It allows you to process multiple videos in the same .blend file without any file collisions, making it a powerful tool for visual investigations involving 3D reconstruction.

Source Code

Access the source code and documentation on GitHub.

Documentation

Read the full documentation and usage guide.

Related Topics

Main Content Section​

Key Features​

Multi-Instance Video Management​

  • Load multiple videos with independent settings and frame extraction parameters
  • Video instances maintain separate paths and configurations
  • Automatic detection and loading of SRT metadata files per video
  • Smart path management prevents file collisions between projects

Flexible Frame Extraction​

  • Extract frames from multiple videos with customizable parameters (start, end, step)
  • Automatic output folder creation based on video filename
  • Independent frame extraction settings per video instance
  • Optimized for aerial footage processing

Multi-Instance COLMAP Integration​

  • Multiple COLMAP instances - process different datasets
  • Each instance maintains independent input/output paths
  • No file conflicts when processing multiple reconstructions
  • Path synchronization between video processing and reconstruction
  • Support for both sequential and exhaustive matching

COLMAP Model Transformation​

  • Load COLMAP sparse reconstructions directly into Blender
  • Scale, rotate, and translate models in Blender's 3D environment
  • Export transformed models for Gaussian Splatting training
  • Multiple COLMAP instances can be transformed independently
  • Natural coordinate system alignment for better results

Animated Camera Creation​

  • Automatically create animated cameras from COLMAP camera positions
  • Camera keyframes aligned to each reconstructed frame
  • Smooth quaternion-based rotation interpolation (no gimbal lock!)
  • Automatic camera resolution matching from COLMAP data
  • Perfect for creating flythrough animations or previewing reconstructions

Multi-Instance Gaussian Splatting (Brush)​

  • Multiple splat instances - train different models
  • Integration with Arthur Brussee's Brush App
  • Pre-compiled binaries available for all platforms
  • Independent training parameters per splat instance
  • Brush dataset preparation with automatic path linking
  • Real-time training viewer option
  • No file conflicts between training sessions

Requirements​

  • Blender 5.0 or newer (also compatible with Blender 4.0+)
  • COLMAP (for reconstruction features)
  • Brush App binaries (bundled with releases)

Summary​

SkySplat provides an all-in-one solution for 3D Gaussian Splatting directly within Blender. Its multi-instance capability is particularly valuable for complex projects requiring multiple reconstructions or training sessions. By integrating COLMAP and Brush app workflows into Blender, it simplifies the process of going from drone footage to a fully navigable 3D scene.

Key Takeaways:

  • Full pipeline from video to Gaussian Splat.
  • Multi-instance support allows managing multiple datasets in one Blender file.
  • Integrated camera animation tools for easy visualization.
  • Simplifies the use of COLMAP and Gaussian Splatting tools.

Documentation for Methodology​

What to document when using SkySplat

In Your Method Section​

When using SkySplat for reconstruction, document the source footage used, the frame extraction settings (interval/count), and the specific COLMAP reconstruction parameters (sequential vs exhaustive). Mention the version of SkySplat and Blender used.

In Your Decision Log​

Record the following when using this technique:

  • Parameter choices for frame extraction (why specific frames were chosen).
  • COLMAP matching strategy selected.
  • Gaussian Splatting training iterations and quality settings.
  • Date performed.

Verification​

Verify the reconstruction by overlaying the generated camera path with the original video footage (using camera background images) to ensure alignment. Check the point cloud or splat alignment with known reference points if available.

Common Limitations​

  • Dependent on the quality of input footage (lighting, motion blur).
  • Requires external dependencies (COLMAP, Brush App) to be correctly installed.
  • Processing time can be significant for large datasets.

Example Methodology Statement​

"3D reconstruction was performed using the SkySplat addon (v0.4.0) in Blender 5.0. Frames were extracted from the drone footage at 1-second intervals. COLMAP structure-from-motion was executed using sequential matching. The resulting sparse point cloud was aligned to the ground plane, and a 3D Gaussian Splat model was trained for 30000 iterations using the integrated Brush tools."

Further Resources: