Image-Based Underwater 3D Reconstruction for Cultural Heritage: From Image Collection to 3D. Critical Steps and Considerations

Abstract

Underwater Cultural Heritage (CH) sites are widely spread; from ruins in coastlines up to shipwrecks in deep. The documentation and preservation of this heritage is an obligation of the mankind, dictated also by the international treaties like the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage which fosters the use of "non-destructive techniques and survey methods in preference over the recovery of objects". However, submerged CH lacks in protection and monitoring in regards to the land CH and nowadays recording and documenting, for digital preservation as well as dissemination through VR to wide public, is of most importance. At the same time, it is most difficult to document it, due to inherent restrictions posed by the environment. In order to create high detailed textured 3D models, optical sensors and photogrammetric techniques seems to be the best solution. This chapter discusses critical aspects of all phases of image based underwater 3D reconstruction process, from data acquisition and data preparation using colour restoration and colour enhancement algorithms to Structure from Motion (SfM) and Multi-View Stereo (MVS) techniques to produce an accurate, precise and complete 3D model for a number of applications.

Geomatic Sensors for Heritage Documentation: A Meta-Analysis of the Scientific Literature

“…Dome ports are more suitable than flat ones; hence, the latter introduces several other deformations, like a strong color aberration. After the emergence of SfM-MVS techniques, several applications for underwater heritage geometric documentation have been released [59][60][61][62][63][64].…”

Underwater Cultural Heritage Documentation Using Photogrammetry

“…However, amidst this enthusiasm, McAllister [11] raises pertinent concerns regarding the application of 'Digital Realism' in underwater archaeology, particularly emphasizing the complexities of photogrammetric digital 3D visualization and interpretation. At the same time, Skarlatos et al [12] emphasizes critical steps and considerations for image-based underwater 3D reconstruction in cultural heritage contexts.…”

Experimental Study of Radial Distortion Compensation for Camera Submerged Underwater Using Open SaltWaterDistortion Data Set

“…Based on these results, they explicitly showed the strong affect of even small errors in the estimated RD parameters on the constructed map quality. The same problem has been faced by scientists during the creation of a system for three-dimensional reconstruction of cultural heritage objects underwater [ 7 ]. The task of eliminating RD caused by the submersion of a lens underwater has also arisen in a work devoted to the creation of an visual odometry algorithm for an underwater autonomous vehicle [ 8 ].…”