This 3D modeling experience has been really eye-opening and insightful. Exploring the use of Scaniverse was the first hands-on experience I’ve had with 3D modeling, and overall my scan in Scaniverse was successful and turned out to be pretty neat. I was tasked with taking pictures and modeling the Weitz Center for Creativity, which is an academic building on campus that was formerly a middle school and high school.
I found the process of taking photos and scanning the building pretty frustrating because of the building’s size and the objects that surround it, which made it difficult to get clean shots. After using the Scaniverse app on my phone, I started working with Agisoft Metashape, which is another tool that lets you create a 3D model using images of a building. Making this model was a challenge. It was hard for me to consistently take photos from the same angle and distance, especially with cars, trees, dumpsters, and fences in the way. On top of that, I wasn’t able to capture the roof of the building in any of my models since it’s flat and not a typical slanted roof like you’d see on a house.
Overall, the Metashape model was pretty atrocious because none of my photos would align. After trying everything, I was able to render a portion of one side of the building, but it still looked pretty bad. Attempting to build a model, instead of just viewing one through photos or maps, is definitely a harder process. The complete professional models I see probably have far more tools at their disposal than I did to capture consistent images.
Still, building a model made me a lot more understanding of what it takes to create something detailed and realistic. The process of photogrammetry really opened my eyes to steps and details I never would have thought would matter, like how the amount of snow on an object or on the ground can get incorporated into the model.
With a building as big as the Weitz, there’s only so much you can do. It’s impossible to not exceed 50 overlapping photos of the Weitz for the photogrammetry on Metashape. It’s too big, and the modeling time would be extremely long. All that considered, I’d say it could look worse.
This is a great post for this week Pat, nicely done! I agree with your many comments reflecting on the difficulties of taking photos for the scanning of our buildings. I too found it very frustrating at times! I also had the same experience with Agisoft, and my Metashape model looked disastrous as well. That being said, incredible job Pat, we tried!
Nice work with the 3D modeling of the Weitz! I think you nailed the point that the more professional models have far more tools then we were given. I would argue that when they do these professional models they will shut down the street and building so nothing gets in the way. From what I see I wouldn’t say your model is atrocious and actually does look like the front of Weitz!
As difficult and as time consuming as I’m sure that it was, you definitely managed to get a solid model of the Weitz. I agree that it is nearly impossible for you to get the roof to be included in the model, as you can’t really get to a better angle in order to see it. While modeling Dow House, I had a similar issue. Since it also has a flat roof, there is not much that can be done to include it in the scan unless you find a way to physically increase your elevation.