Photogrammetry is a technological technique that transforms ordinary 2D photographs into detailed 3D models. By taking hundreds of overlapping photos of an object or a location from every angle, specialized software can analyze the images for shared features and algorithmically reconstruct the original geometry. The process is rarely perfect; variations in lighting, reflective surfaces, and other factors can confuse the underlying algorithms. Human guidance is still a key part of the process, from cleaning up data sets to manually aligning preliminary 3D surfaces. Even though the process may take longer or may be slightly less accurate than 3D scanning, photogrammetry is a compelling alternative, as 3D scanning equipment can be quite costly.

At the Innovation Center, we’ve been exploring the creative and scholarly possibilities of this technology, using a software app called RealityScan. One recent project involved photographing the Panther statue on campus, generating a digital 3D version that we then turned into a perfect scale physical model with the 3D printer. We are also developing a highly detailed model of the exterior of the university library, which could be used for virtual walkthroughs and tours. These projects highlight one of our broader interests: the creation of “digital twins,” highly accurate virtual replicas that can be used for analysis, simulation, or long-term archival of physical spaces and artifacts. There are academic applications of this technology across the university: Art and Art History could digitally preserve and create virtual exhibitions of sculptures; Anthropology could document artifacts without physically handling them; Environmental Studies could model landscapes; Communications and Theater could reconstruct sets and spaces for virtual productions; Computer Science could study and refine the algorithms underlying the software. In all these cases, photogrammetry presents exciting new possibilities, perfectly aligned with the Innovation Center’s mission to inspire, support and showcase innovative and interdisciplinary work across the university.