Evaluating the Creation and Preservation Challenges of Photogrammetry-based 3D Models

Though the roots of photogrammetry can be traced back to photography’s earliest days, only recent advances in both digital technology and software applications have put the possibilities of 3D modeling from 2D source images in the hands of the greater cultural heritage community. The possibilities of such 3D digital rendering are many. With these possibilities come unique digital preservation challenges. This study explores basic close-range photogrammetry as applied to sample archival objects. Additionally, the latest BagIt and ZIP-based bundling formats along with repository-based solutions are also surveyed as potential 3D data management and archiving aggregators for resulting 3D models. Background Photography’s transition from traditional film to digital capture combined with parallel advances in digital post-processing have together broadened the possibilities of many computational imaging approaches. Photogrammetry [1][2], a technique born during photography’s earliest days, is one such method that has enjoyed the fruits of these recent trends. In turn, photogrammetry has become an intriguing alternative for the computational creation of 3D objects from 2D digital still images within cultural heritage institutions where it has many potential uses. Interactive 3D data models allow for the recording and analysis of surfaces and volume that intuitively mimic human stereo vision. Fragile and rare objects of high value can be manipulated non-destructively through virtual surrogates within software applications [3]. Conservationists can use such models over time to assist in condition assessments [4][5][6]. Finally, analog surrogates can also be reproduced through the 3D printing of an object’s 3D dataset. With these models come unique digital preservation challenges. This paper investigates the basics of close-range photogrammetry capture, post-processing, and potential strategies for the archiving of resulting 3D data models