A Photogrammetric Workflow to Produce 3D-Models of Geological Samples

Abstract: Photogrammetry and Structure-from-Motion (S-f-M) is a low-cost method of producing digital 3D models of rock samples that can be used for many different research and educational purposes. A 3D model of a delicate rock sample would enable the preservation of the sample and reduce the need of physical manipulation. This thesis presents a systematic workflow to document and study rock samples by using photogrammetry and S-f-M. The manual in this work describes how to use the set up SOOSI (Spinning Object Optical Scanning Instrument) found at the Department of Earth Sciences at Uppsala University to produce digital 3D models of geological samples. The thesis gives a background to photogrammetry in Earth sciences, and it presents the fundamentals of photogrammetry and the camera. It explains the processing chain of photogrammetry and how computers assist in the photogrammetric process for the reader to understand the importance of the steps in the manual. 3D models produced from following the workflow are presented as well as implications of choices that can be made when following the workflow. The addition of a fixed lens to the camera setup would improve the method’s robustness. The models are currently limited due to a lack of absolute scale. A suggestion for developing a method to capture Ground Control Points (GCPs) to solve the scale problem is presented.