Back in March I started out carving this decorated box on a weekend course, which I posted about in an earlier blog entry. After a bit of second-hand tool shopping and a few wet-weather weekends later, I’ve managed to complete the project. Both sides are carved with an interlocking ring pattern with variations corresponding to the reference object. The lid is decorated with an interlace loop, referencing from another similar box from medieval period in Norwegian collections.

Now finished, it is the perfect object to trial some different methods of photogrammetry as a form of 3D digital documentation for cultural heritage using RealityScan. First I am trying the mobile app version, and have loaded the result up to SketchFab. As an online viewing platform, SketchFab has its limitations but for this little experiment it will remain constant.

The result here is achieved from 147 images taken by an iPhone 11 Pro Max mounted on a tripod. The object was rotated through 360 degrees in 10 degree increments before flipping its orientation and repeating, each with a black background. The iPhone’s own torchlight was used for lighting in additional to ambient daylight. Capturing through the app was a straightforward enough using standard mode, though there were options for object mode, AR Guidance and masking that may have assisted the process.

Processing the model through the app was a smooth and uncomplicated, with minimal editing required and an option to upload direct to Sketchfab. It produced a model with 367700 polygons, and seemingly representative of the overall shape and form of the reference object. However, at detail level there is a lot of noise, especially visible when viewing with Matcap and without the texture. That might be improved with better quality images or more variation in distance, but with quite a basic photography and lighting setup there is perhaps a limit on what can be expected.

Overall this was a quick and easy process to create a simple model with limited equipment, but without so much control to guarantee any quality in the result.

Next will be an attempt to record the same box using a DSLR camera and the desktop application, which I have attempted a few models with before but has undergone some changes in recent versions. Not least a new name, from Reality Capture, and a new payment model that makes it free to use for small businesses, educational instituions and students.