Manual 3D reconstruction models from photographs

Written by Paul Bourke
June 2010

Introduction

The following documents an exercise to create accurate 3D models, by hand, from a collection of photographs. One site was geometrically quite simple and an emphasis was made to create high quality photo-realistic textures, the second example was more geometrically complex and simpler textures were used on a higher polygon count model. In both examples documented here the models were presented using the Unity game engine, the original models were created in 3DStudioMax. The choice of Unity was made due to its wide platform deployment. Mac, MSWindows, and web players are provided here but Unity also supports IOS (iPhone, iPodTouch, iPAD), Android, XBOX360, and PS3 deployment. Having said that, the model presented here have not been optimised or simplified, they are relatively high polygon count models that require above average graphics hardware for smooth interaction.

The raw material for this exercise was largely based upon photography from a project managed by Prof David Kennedy (et al) of the University of Western Australia, additional photographs were sourced from Flicker.