3D models done Complexul National Muzeal ASTRA (RO)

This summer a photogrammetry workshop held by dr. Laurențiu Angheluță, specialist in the digitalization of cultural heritage, took place in the ASTRA National Museum Complex as part of the Retold project. The purpose of the workshop was to teach museum specialists to take optimal photos for the creation of 3D models with the help of specific software.

An important stage of the workshop consisted in choosing the monuments that lend themselves to taking photos. We had to take into account the environment in the first place, no trees or as few as possible near the buildings, because any leaf that moves during the shooting affects the final result. Secondly, we wanted to use an easy to use device that most people are used to, namely the digital camera. Considering that not everyone is specialized in using a drone, a monopod that reaches 10m in height was used to take photos from the roof level, on which the smartphone remote controlled camera was mounted.

Before starting the shooting, the perimeter must be delimited by marking fixed points for control. The technique of taking photos is a relatively simple one, consisting of overall and detailed photography of the construction. The detail photos must be consecutive and overlap as much as possible, so that once fed into the 3d modeling software it can be able to join the photos without any gaps. An important aspect that of brightness, which must be constant throughout the process of capturing images.

Before being entered into the 3d model creation program, the photos must be checked, those that are moved or that do not correspond must be removed, then, if necessary, they can be processed in a specific software. Once loaded into the modeling software, it begins the process of making the model, intervening only if necessary. To share the final result, the created files must be uploaded to a platform dedicated to viewing 3d models.