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Technical Note: 3D From Standard Digital Photography of Human Crania—A Preliminary Assessment
Author(s) -
Katz David,
Friess Martin
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.22468
Subject(s) - photogrammetry , crania , laser scanning , scanner , computer science , 3d reconstruction , 3d scanning , artificial intelligence , computer vision , computer graphics (images) , remote sensing , geology , geography , archaeology , optics , laser , physics
This study assessed three‐dimensional (3D) photogrammetry as a tool for capturing and quantifying human skull morphology. While virtual reconstruction with 3D surface scanning technology has become an accepted part of the paleoanthropologist's tool kit, recent advances in 3D photogrammetry make it a potential alternative to dedicated surface scanners. The principal advantages of photogrammetry are more rapid raw data collection, simplicity and portability of setup, and reduced equipment costs. We tested the precision and repeatability of 3D photogrammetry by comparing digital models of human crania reconstructed from conventional, 2D digital photographs to those generated using a 3D surface scanner. Overall, the photogrammetry and scanner meshes showed low degrees of deviation from one another. Surface area estimates derived from photogrammetry models tended to be slightly larger. Landmark configurations generally did not cluster together based upon whether the reconstruction was created with photogrammetry or surface scanning technology. Average deviations of landmark coordinates recorded on photogrammetry models were within the generally allowable range of error in osteometry. Thus, while dependent upon the needs of the particular research project, 3D photogrammetry appears to be a suitable, lower‐cost alternative to 3D imaging and scanning options. Am J Phys Anthropol 154:152–158, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.