Validation of Close-Range Photogrammetry for Architectural and Archaeological Heritage: Analysis of Point Density and 3D Mesh Geometry

Abstract

The 3D digitization and Building Information Modeling (BIM), which is based on parametric objects, have considerably advanced by developing massive data capture techniques. Thus, reverse engineering currently plays a major role as these technologies capture accurately and efficiently the geometry, color and textures of complex architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage. This paper aims to validate close-range Structure from Motion (SfM) for heritage by analyzing the point density and the 3D mesh geometry in comparison with Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS). The accuracy of the results and the geometry mainly depends on the processing performed on the point set. Therefore, these two variables are significant in the 3D reconstruction of heritage buildings. This paper focuses on a 15th century case study in Seville (Spain): the main façade of Casa de Pilatos. Ten SfM surveys were carried out varying the capture method (simple and stereoscopic) and the number of shots, distances, orientation and procedure. A mathematical analysis is proposed to verify the point spatial resolution and the accuracy of the 3D model geometry by section profiles in SfM data. SfM achieved acceptable accuracy levels to generate 3D meshes despite disordered shots and the number of images. Hence, stereoscopic photography using new instruments improved the results of close-range photogrammetry while reducing the required number of photographs.

Digital Modelling and Accuracy Verification of a Complex Architectural Object Based on Photogrammetric Reconstruction

“…The RMS error estimation method used here allows the determination of the fitting error's statistical values, which are expressed in the spatial distance, well understood by engineers potentially using such models. In contrast to the approach that uses verification of photogrammetric reconstruction accuracy for architectural and archaeological heritage using TLS [44] our method does not require expensive and specialised equipment. Our results show that such a method is accurate and can be successfully applied.…”

“…However, this precision cannot always be verified. A process for validating the accuracy of photogrammetric reconstructions for architectural and archaeological heritage using terrestrial laser scanning was proposed in [44] and another for improving this accuracy in [15].…”

Ten Years of Digital Documentation of the Archaeological Site of the Monastery of Saint Hilarion in Tell Umm El-Amr, Gaza Strip

“…In 2021, it is possible to calculate all the projects together automatically (3380 photos). Automation has increased as well as precision, since it all depends on a single phase of relative orientation (Moyano, 2020). The ergonomics of the tools also play a role since it is much easier to assign subgroups of images from the same project to create separate clouds.…”

Histogram Adjustment of Images for Improving Photogrammetric Reconstruction

“…Its potential use is building surveying, cost estimation, modeling space for virtual and augmented reality [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to extract precise data allowing for sufficiently precise modeling from point clouds generated by these technologies [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. This led to a search for methods to improve reconstruction quality and reliability [ 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”