3D Photogrammetry within Angkor archeological park.
Stunning Angkor artwork shared to you in a virtual world. Using a standard camera, some clever software and a bit of technical tinkering, these wonderful artworks of Angkor can be visualized your own home.
You can manipulate each model on screen however for a more interested view, click on the AR square, bottom left. If you are nor familiar with augmented reality, have a go. You should be able to view the models through a phone or virtual reality headset within your own home. Please note, some devices may not support the AR function. In general, the newer your device, the better chance of AR being supported.
Drawn back to 3D.
I am from an engineering background (3d mechanical design) and have an interest in 3d environments. Dynamic motion aspects of my previous job probably led to an interest in time-lapse and motion control. I have dabbled with multi axis motion gear which adds some dynamics to video clips, but I do miss working in a true 3D environment. Associates software for time-lapse mostly works in a 2d environment, faking 3d with layers. This approach works well, but it is not true 3D.
Keen on the 3D aspect of videography / photography, I was introduced to the Matterport several years ago, an impressive real estate software modeler which gives the ‘doll’s house’ view along with virtual tours of a property. It is a great piece of kit, however the operational costs at the time puts it out of range for the hobbyist. A few years later Metareal, amongst over competitors arrived to the real estate scene. These products can produce the same results as Matterport but use a standard camera. The software is free to use and initial projects can be hosted at no cost. I dabbled with Metareal. using 360 stitched photos via a Black Forest controlled DIY pan tilt 360 head. Neither of the above provide a real 3d environment, just a 3d view position and ‘transition motion’ between points. Fast forwards to the present, several photogrammetry techniques are emerging on the internet. From modeling small objects to drone mapping, photogrammetry programs such as meshroom can take standard photographs and merge them in a true 3D model. It was not until I stepped into the world of blender (a fantastic and free 3d animation package) that I realized the full potential of what could be achieved.
Blender, a true 3D environment.
I delved back into a virtual world, but this time with Blender, a full blown animation package. This software is not the precision engineering modeling tool I am custom to. The modeling / animation stuff is a different world full of nodes, mesh technology and wobbly reality. One month in, from the infamous doughnut tutorial done twice, a rapid dive into photogrammetry software, and here I am. 3D scans of these wonderful temple artifacts with the ability for them to be viewed worldwide with Augmented Reality. It has been a fantastic journey.
This seems like a new beginning. The possibility to smoothly control a virtual camera through scenes, control of virtual lighting and combining time lapse photography will give endless possibilities. Plenty of challenges lie ahead, not least my investment into Apple products. Most photogrammetry software favors Windows / Linux due the graphics cards (thanks Apple). With blender I have a big learning curve ahead. This solution will integrate into my current work nicely and benefits look worth pursuing.
Photogrammetry.
For those interested, there are now apps that can do photogrammetry. I am using Regard3D and OpenDroneMap, open source programs that works on apple products. Agisoft (free trial) is another possibility for Mac users. Other technology includes laser scanners, Lidar technology is finding it’s way to the latest apple phones. All this is changing the way we view our virtual world. At the present time I am quite glad to be stuck here in Cambodia with the wonderful features Angkor to keep me busy.
A glimpse at what is possible within Blender.
A glimpse at what is possible within Blender.As I have the 3d model, I can chuck a virtual camera about, change lighting etc. This will open up endless possibilities.