Abstract:The ability of High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging to capture the full range of lighting in a scene has prompted an increase in its use for Cultural Heritage (CH) applications. Photogrammetric techniques allow the semi-automatic production of three-dimensional (3D) models from a sequence of images. Current photogrammetric methods are not always effective in reconstructing images under harsh lighting conditions, as significant geometric details may not have been captured accurately within under-and over-exposed regions of the image. HDR imaging offers the possibility to overcome this limitation, however the HDR images need to be tone-mapped before they can be used within existing photogrammetric algorithms. In this paper we evaluate four different HDR tone-mapping operators (TMOs) that have been used to convert raw HDR images into a format suitable for state-of-the-art algorithms, and in particular keypoint detection techniques. The evaluation criteria used are the number of keypoints, the number of valid matches achieved and the repeatability rate. The comparison considers two local and two global TMOs. HDR data from four CH sites were used: Kaisariani Monastery (Greece), Asinou Church (Cyprus), Château des Baux (France) and Buonconsiglio Castle (Italy).Key words: high dynamic range (HDR) imaging, HDR tone-mapping, keypoint detection, image-based 3D reconstruction Resumen:Las posibilidades que ofrecen las imágenes de alto rango dinámico (HDR) para registrar la totalidad del rango de iluminación de una escena han propiciado su creciente uso en aplicaciones de patrimonio cultural. Los métodos fotogramétricos actuales permiten la producción semi-automática de modelos tridimensionales (3D) a partir de una secuencia de imágenes. Sin embargo, éstos presentan serias limitaciones en escenas con iluminación dura, resultando en consecuencia la aparición de zonas expuestas o sobreexpuestas. En este tipo de condiciones, el uso de imágenes HDR ofrece la posibilidad de superar este problema. Para evaluar su potencialidad, se presentan en este artículo cuatro operadores diferentes de mapeado tonal (tone-mapping) en imágenes HDR, conocidos como TMOs, cuya misión es convertir las imágenes HDR crudas en un formato adecuado para su uso en algoritmos de vanguardia, y en particular en técnicas de detección de entidades. Los criterios de evaluación que se utilizan para analizar su potencialidad son: el número de entidades detectadas, el número de correspondencias válidas y su índice de repetibilidad. En la comparación se incluyen TMOs, dos locales y dos globales. Se utilizan datos HDR tomados en cuatro sitios patrimoniales: el monasterio de Kaisariani (Grecia), la iglesia de Asinou (Chipre), el castillo de los Baux (Francia) y el castillo de Buonconsiglio (Italia).Palabras clave: toma de imágenes de alto rango dinámico (HDR), mapeado tonal HDR, detección de entidades, reconstrucción 3D basada en imágenes

ABSTRACT:Over the past decade, large-scale photogrammetric products have been extensively used for the geometric documentation of cultural heritage monuments, as they combine metric information with the qualities of an image document. Additionally, the rising technology of terrestrial laser scanning has enabled the easier and faster production of accurate digital surface models (DSM), which have in turn contributed to the documentation of heavily textured monuments. However, due to the required accuracy of control points, the photogrammetric methods are always applied in combination with surveying measurements and hence are dependent on them. Along this line of thought, this paper explores the possibility of limiting the surveying measurements and the field work necessary for the production of large-scale photogrammetric products and proposes an alternative method on the basis of which the necessary control points instead of being measured with surveying procedures are chosen from a dense and accurate point cloud. Using this point cloud also as a surface model, the only field work necessary is the scanning of the object and image acquisition, which need not be subject to strict planning. To evaluate the proposed method an algorithm and the complementary interface were produced that allow the parallel manipulation of 3D point clouds and images and through which single image procedures take place. The paper concludes by presenting the results of a case study in the ancient temple of Hephaestus in Athens and by providing a set of guidelines for implementing effectively the method.

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