Introduction to the Project
For this project, I used Recap Photo to 3D model the statue of Gudea from the British Museum. The photographs were taken by Daniel Pett <dpett@britishmuseum.org> with a Canon 700D. I cleaned up the stray marks that ended up in the 3D model after importing my photos into Recap Photo. The dimensions of the model is 78cmx50cmx31cm (height, width, and depth respectively).
Photogrammetry with Recap Photo
I constructed the 3D model in Recap Photo, converted the obj to a glb in Blender, and finally, uploaded everything to sketchfab. Previously, I’ve had difficulties with models missing textures after uploading to sketchfab, but I figured out a way after converting it to a glb. Overall the process with Recap Photo is a lot simpler than Metashape in my opinion. While I’m unsure what the max photo limit is for Metashape, there was a limit on the number of photos Recap Photo allows.
Presentation
In order to display the model, I uploaded the glb files to sketchfab. Then, I included the embedded HTML on the website, allowing users to explore the 3D model and interact with it. The sources I used are also hyperlinked, allowing for further exploration if people are interested.
Significance
Unlike data science, Photogrammetry focuses on demonstration and visual representation of real objects rather than numerical analysis of data. Photogrammetry allows a convenient and interactive way of learning various ancient artifacts through detailed quick 3D models. There is a lot of potential for Digital Humanities work as Photogrammetry can be used for digital reconstruction, cultural preservation, and other educational purposes. There have been many different digital projects that have engaged with photogrammetry technology, some of which have even sparked some controversial discussion. The hands on nature of photogrammetry can allow for a more immersive learning experience, leading to better retention of historical events and interactions.