Data collection and 3D reconstruction

jects and, hence, 3D data acquisition and reconstruction methods. Devel-opments in these two areas, however, are not compatible. While numerous operational sensors for 3D data acquisition are readily available on the market (optical, laser scanning, radar, thermal, acoustic, etc.), 3D recon-struction software offers predominantly manual and semi-automatic tools (e.g. Cyclone, Leica Photogrammetry Suite, PhotoModeler or Sketch-up). The ultimate 3D reconstruction algorithm is still a challenge and a subject of intensive research. Many 3D reconstruction approaches have been in-vestigated, and they can be classified into two large groups, optical image-based and point cloud-based, with respect to the sensor used, which can be mounted on different platforms. Optical Image-based sensors produce sets of single or multiple images, which combined appropriately, can be used to create 3D polyhedronal models. This approach can deliver accurate, detailed, realistic 3D models, but many components of the process remain manual or semi-manual. It is a technique which has been well-studied and documented (see Manuals o