Single Camera Photogrammetry for Reverse Engineering and Fabrication of Ancient and Modern Artifacts

Photogrammetry has been used for recording objects for well over one hundred and fifty years. Modern photogrammetry, or digital image capture, can be used with the aid of a single medium range digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera, to transform two-dimensional images into three-dimensional CAD spatial representations, and together with the use of additive manufacturing or 3D Printing technology, geometric representations of original cultural, historic and geological artifacts can be fabricated in a process known as Reverse Engineering. Being able to replicate such objects is of great benefit in education; if the original object cannot be handled because it is too old or delicate, then replicas can give the handler a chance to experience the size, texture and weight of rare objects. Photogrammetry equipment is discussed, the objective being simplicity of execution for eventual realisation of physical products such as the artifacts discussed. As the processing power of computers has increased and become more widely available, and with the use of computer software programs it is now possible to digitally combine multi-view photographs, taken from 360° around the object, into 3D CAD representational virtual images. The resulting Data is then reprocessed, with a secondary computer program, to produce the STL file that the additive manufacturing machines can read, so as to produce replicated models of the originals. Three case studies are documented: the reproduction of a small modern clay sculpture; a 3000-year-old Egyptian artifact; and an Ammonite fossil, all successfully recreated, using additive manufacturing technology.