Basics of Coding for Archaeological Programs: Game Maker Overview

I am not a coder. I am especially not a gaming coder. I am however an archaeologist interested in all aspects of digital archaeology, from 3D modelling to Cad surveys, and I enjoy bending the original use of programs to fit my own needs. The best example I’ve ever seen of this is when some […]

Reconstructing Mount Rushmore from Tourists’ Photographs

One of my first posts here was about the creation of 3D photorealistic models using tourists’ photographs, the main aim of which is the possibility of recreating monuments that were around since the invention of photography and that have since been destroyed or damaged. Also, it is a way of testing the size limits of […]

How Can 3D Printing Help Archaeology?

Before starting this post I’d like to point out that what I am writing here is entirely theoretical, as I haven’t yet had the opportunity to work with a 3D printer and am basing the following discussion entirely on knowledge of 3D modelling and a long series of recent news articles unrelated to archaeology. 3D […]

Program Overview: 123D Catch

123D Catch is my program of choice when it comes to Photogrammetry, and although it comes with some limitations, I still believe it is the most efficient piece of software when it comes to everyday archaeological modelling. It combines speed, accuracy, an easy interface and it is free to use, even commercially. Speed: Especially in […]

Camera Angles: Tips on Photogrammetric Recording of Finds Part 2

In part one of this guide I tried to explain the uses of different coloured backgrounds to achieve good Photogrammetric models of small finds. This however is only one of the things to considered, and hence today I’d like to talk a bit about camera angles. The way I see it there are two parts […]

Google Sketchup and Archaeology: Reconstructing the Parthenon

As part of my second year studying archaeology in Cardiff, I was required to write 5000 words on a topic of my choosing for a project called an Independent Study. Having only recently completed the first two models I ever made for a documentary on the medieval site of Cosmeston, South Wales, I decided it […]

8 Reason Why We Should Be Using Photogrammetry in Archaeology

If you are an archaeologist you should be using Photogrammetry because: It is easy to use: Unless you are dealing with something extremely large or extremely complex, Photogrammetry has an extremely high success rate. When it was still based on camera calibration, complex calculations and precise measuring was necessary, but with more modern programs often […]

Back or No Back: Tips on Photogrammetric Recording of Finds Part 1

Photographing finds in order to make a 3d model can be a quick and easy process, but on a few occasions you will find that even the most accurately placed camera positions can create blurry or incomplete models. There are many reasons for this problem, and even with all precautions taken there is no 100% […]

Using Gaming Software for Archaeology

Say you have a large archaeological site with many features and much to show. Say you want your site to be accessible to everyone who has an interest in it, regardless of their knowledge of the period or of archaeology in general. How would you go about showing what you have found in the most […]

Modelling Large Scale Features with 123D Catch

In the previous entries we have seen the use of Photogrammetry in archaeology for the recording of features and artefacts. With models of this kind the procedure is pretty simple: you take 20 or so photos from different angles and then run them through 123D Catch to get the end result. The angles themselves generally […]