Imagine holding items from museum collections in your hands—without ever leaving your living room!
Photogrammetry is the process of taking lots of photos of an object from different angles and “stitching” them together into a 3D model.
Photogrammetry can be used to make 3D models of just about anything and then bring those items to life digitally. It can replicate the color, shape, and texture so we can see and share all kinds of important information with people who might not be able to see the original in-person.
How do I do this at home?
To start, you need a few tools:
| Tools | Why do I need this? | Less Expensive | $ | More Expensive | $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera | To take pictures | Phone | $150+ | DSLR camera | $2,500 |
| Tripod | To keep the camera steady | Phone stand | $20 | Camera tripod | $60 |
| Turntable | To keep details clear | Lazy Susan or basic turntable | $10 | Motorized turntable with remote | $20 |
| Software | To turn pictures into a model | Reality Scan | Free | Reality Scan | Free |
Helpful Equipment:
- Beanbags and foam pieces:
- What we use to hold items in place when we’re moving them on a turntable.
- If an item moves around too much when we’re rotating it, the model may not turn out.
- Keeping things stable and still is important.
- Scaling bars and color checkers:
- What we use at our lab to make sure the size and color of the model are accurate.
- Don’t worry about these when you’re just starting out, they’re expensive and not necessary until you want your model to be as close to reality as possible.
- For more info:
How to Take the Best Photos:
The “60% rule”:
- Make sure each new photo overlaps a little with the last so the software can connect them.
Spin it around:
- Using a turntable helps capture every side. We usually do 30-35 pictures per spin.
Flip it carefully:
- Don’t forget the bottom or hidden spots! If an item has holes through it or is thin, moving it around is very helpful.
Change the angle:
- For every different position you put the item in, try to take a round of pictures looking straight on, and then a round at a 30–45-degree angle. Oftentimes, the more angles, the better!
Other Tips:
- Stay in focus: sharp photos = sharp 3D models.
- Light it up: photos being too dark or too bright can mess up the model. This is one of the most common problems.
From Photos to a 3D Model:
- Upload photos into the software.
- While we prefer Reality Scan because it’s free for most people, there are other options out there for photogrammetry software.
- Just make sure to do your research on whether or not that software will own the models created within it – something we don’t have to worry about with Reality Scan.
- Aligning: Watch as it finds “dots” (a point cloud) that map out the object.
- Turn those dots into a solid shape (a mesh). This is when 2D photos become 3D!
- Add color and texture: this is when the model starts to look like real life.
- Enjoy your 3D model!