3D Modeling

Agenda

1. Presentation by Illizt Elena Castillo Pineda (CNEA)
2. Q&A about Illizt’s research
3. Basic overview of 3D computer graphics and 3D modeling methods
4. Activity: Photogrammetry with Polycam

Presentation: Illizt Elena Castillo Pineda

Digital Scholarship Graduate Fellow & CNEA graduate student

Photogrammetry of Etruscan Mirrors slides

DH Examples

• Morphosource - a repository for natural history & cultural heritage collections
• Persepolis Reimagined

@ Bryn Mawr

• Journeyways to the West, PI: Shiamin Kwa, 2019
• Bryn Mawr History of Women in Science
• Models of BMC Special Collections objects on Sketchfab

Vocabulary/concepts

• Mesh: a 3d structure composed of vertices, edges, and polygons/faces
• UV Mapping: projecting a 2D image onto the model
• Textures or materials: surface properties of a 3D models, usually consisting of an image and reflectance properties
• Rendering: viewing a model with light and materials

Techniques for capturing 3D imagery

• Photogrammetry
  • Multiple photographs from various angles are extrapolated into a 3D model
  • Specialized software identifies common points to reconstruct geometry
• 3D Scanning (specialized equipment)
  • Structured Light Scanning: projects patterned light to capture the stretch of the pattern
  • Laser Scanning: lasers measure distance to surface of the object at various points

Tools

• Blender: open-source 3D modeling and animation application:
  • Used for “Flow” (Gints Zilbalodis, 2024) - view Flow trailer
• Sketchup - 3D CAD tool, easier to learn, used by architects/space designers
• Polycam - freemium app for photogrammetry using smartphones
• Agisoft - advanced photogrammetry software available in DMCL
• Autodesk Fusion 360 - 3D modeling tool used to prepare meshes for printing
• MeshLab - open-source tool for processing and editing 3d mesh models

Activity: Photogrammetry with Polycam

1. In pairs: have one person go to poly.cam and sign up for a free account.
2. Download smartphone app and sign in
3. Select an object to scan
4. To scan:
   1. In the app, use plus button
   2. Select “Object”
   3. Follow tutorial to see how it works
   4. On a neutral background, photograph it from all angles (about 100 photos)