Creating Virtual Models with Digital Photogrammetry: Pertev Paşa Mosque (İzmit, Turkey)

Abstract:The use of photogrammetry as a tool to aid in the documentation of cultural heritage sites has a long history in creating scalable documents from 2D photographs. Recent advances in technology paired with the greater accessibility of photogrammetric software present ever-growing opportunities to document heritage sites. Documentation can be achieved with minimal training, a consumer-grade camera, and available software. Software applications manage almost the entire initial photogrammetric process, including image registration, object matching, photo-stitching, 3D mesh generation, and rendering. Digital photogrammetry starts with the on-site capture of digital photographs. Photographs are collected for processing by automated modeling software. Based on two algorithms, structure from motion (SfM) and multi-view stereo (MVS), the software analyzes the photographic images to create a 3D polygonal mesh with photorealistic texture maps. These files can then be post-processed and the models refined using 3D surface modeling software to create a final virtual model. Digital photogrammetry using a digital single lens reflex camera and cloud-based processing software can make digital documentation more applicable to historic building documentation. This article presents a straightforward approach to using digital photogrammetry to document heritage sites located in remote regions of the world, where access and digital applications may be limited.