Multi-image 3D reconstruction data evaluation

A number of software solutions based on the Structure-From-Motion (SFM) and Dense Multi-View 3D Reconstruction (DMVR) algorithms have been made recently available. They allow the production of high quality 3D models by using unordered image collections that depict a scene or an object from different viewpoints. In this work, we question the quality of the data produced by a commercial SFM-DMVR software. An Ottoman monument located in the region of Xanthi, Greece has been selected as a case study. We attempted to quantify the quality of the SFM-DMVR data in relation to the data produced by a Time-of-Flight terrestrial 3D range scanner. We have implemented a number of comparisons between different parts of the monument in order to assess the mesh deviations and the reconstruction's accuracy. In order to further ensure the validity of our evaluation phase, we performed additional distance measurements between feature points on the monument's surface by using a total station and empirical measurements. The applicability of the SFM-DMVR method was questioned by creating a complete 3D digital replica of the monument. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.