What makes photogrammetry unique among 3D scanning techniques?

If you are interested in creating realistic 3D models of real-world objects, you might have heard of photogrammetry. Photogrammetry is a technique that uses multiple photographs of an object or a scene to reconstruct its shape and texture in 3D. But what makes photogrammetry unique among other 3D scanning methods? In this article, we will explore some of the advantages and challenges of photogrammetry and how it differs from other techniques such as laser scanning, structured light scanning, and depth sensing.

1 How photogrammetry works

Photogrammetry is based on the principle of triangulation, which means finding the position of a point by measuring the angles from two or more known points. In photogrammetry, the known points are the camera positions and orientations, and the unknown points are the features on the object or scene. By matching the same features across multiple photographs, photogrammetry software can calculate the 3D coordinates of those features and create a point cloud. A point cloud is a set of points that represent the shape of an object or scene in 3D space. The point cloud can then be converted into a mesh, which is a network of polygons that form the surface of the object or scene. The mesh can also be textured with the colors and details from the photographs.

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Arnauld Dumont

CEO at DimEye Corp.
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Camera positions can be unknown (most common case) and solved through the 3D computation (free network bundle adjustment by least square method) as well as camera internal parameters (self-calibration).

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2 Advantages of photogrammetry

One of the main advantages of photogrammetry is that it can capture complex and detailed shapes and textures that might be difficult or impossible to scan with other methods. Photogrammetry can also work with any object or scene that is visible to the camera, regardless of its size, shape, or material. Photogrammetry can also be done with relatively low-cost and accessible equipment, such as a smartphone or a digital camera. Photogrammetry can also be used to create 3D models of historical or cultural sites, landscapes, or buildings that might be inaccessible or endangered.

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Arnauld Dumont

CEO at DimEye Corp.
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Another advantage of Photogrammetry is the remote access to hazardous environments such as underwater, space, and nuclear areas. The camera can be mounted on any kind of robot : ROV, UAV, AUV, crawlers.

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3 Challenges of photogrammetry

However, photogrammetry also has some challenges and limitations that need to be considered. One of the main challenges is to ensure that the photographs have enough overlap, coverage, and quality to produce a good 3D reconstruction. This means that the object or scene needs to be well-lit, have enough contrast and texture, and be stable and static during the capture process. Photogrammetry also requires a lot of processing power and storage space to handle the large number of photographs and data points. Photogrammetry can also be affected by errors and noise in the camera calibration, feature matching, and point cloud generation, which can result in inaccurate or incomplete 3D models.

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4 Other 3D scanning techniques

Photogrammetry is not the only way to create 3D models of real-world objects or scenes. There are other 3D scanning techniques that use different sources of information and methods of reconstruction, such as laser scanning, structured light scanning, and depth sensing. Laser scanning can produce very accurate and high-resolution 3D models, but it is expensive, time-consuming, and sensitive to environmental conditions. Structured light scanning can yield very detailed and accurate 3D models, but it can be affected by ambient light, occlusions, and reflections. Depth sensing can generate fast and easy 3D models; however, its range, resolution, and accuracy are limited by the sensor.

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5 Choosing the right technique

Depending on your goals, budget, and resources, you might prefer one 3D scanning technique over another. Photogrammetry is a unique and versatile technique that can produce realistic and detailed 3D models of almost any object or scene, but it also requires careful planning, execution, and processing. Other 3D scanning techniques might offer more speed, accuracy, or convenience, but they might also have more constraints or costs. The best way to choose the right technique is to consider the characteristics and requirements of your project and compare the strengths and weaknesses of each technique.

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Arnauld Dumont

CEO at DimEye Corp.
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When talking about 3D modeling of industrial assets, only Close-range Photogrammetry can achieve high accuracy, thanks to high resolution sensors and significant redundancy in observations. Laser Scanning (LIDAR) has no redundancy and the laser beam is affected by multiple errors (temperature change along the beam, angle of projection with the surface, surface condition, etc.). Also, it requires perfect stability.

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6 Learning more about photogrammetry

If you are curious about photogrammetry and want to learn more about how to use it, there are many resources and tools available online. You can find tutorials, guides, and tips on how to capture, process, and optimize your photographs for photogrammetry. You can also find software and apps that can help you create 3D models from your photographs, such as Agisoft Metashape, RealityCapture, Meshroom, or 3DF Zephyr. You can also find examples, inspiration, and feedback from other photogrammetry enthusiasts on platforms such as Sketchfab, ArtStation, or Reddit.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What makes photogrammetry unique among 3D scanning techniques?

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1 How photogrammetry works

2 Advantages of photogrammetry

3 Challenges of photogrammetry

4 Other 3D scanning techniques

5 Choosing the right technique

6 Learning more about photogrammetry

7 Here’s what else to consider

3D Graphics

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What makes photogrammetry unique among 3D scanning techniques?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 How photogrammetry works

2 Advantages of photogrammetry

3 Challenges of photogrammetry

4 Other 3D scanning techniques

5 Choosing the right technique

6 Learning more about photogrammetry

7 Here’s what else to consider

3D Graphics

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