Photogrammetry and iPhone LiDAR in Remote Places for Preparation of 3D-Objects in a Virtual Museum

Abstract

This is a feasibility study to evaluate acquisition of three-dimensional cultural artefacts for a virtual museum in Indonesia, in particular under difficult conditions regarding transportation, lighting and power supply. Evaluation is done by comparison of the resulting models in a 3D software for size, resolution, and visual realism. In a second step, models are reduced in texture size and mesh resolution, to be tested for real-time playback in FrameVR. Included hardware tools for photogrammetry are high-resolution stills from a hybrid photographic camera, a small drone, and a smartphone with a combination of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and photography. Generation of 3D models is realised by free software for generation and also for enhancement of results. The results show that the tools can generate realistic models of cultural artefacts under varying environmental conditions and enable playability in a virtual 3D environment.