Reverse Engineering Using Close Range Photogrammetry for Additive Manufactured Reproduction of Egyptian Artifacts and Other Objets d'art

Photogrammetry has been in use for over 150 years. This research considers how digital image capture using a medium range Nikon digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera, can be transformed into 3D virtual spatial images, and together with additive manufacturing (AM) technology, geometric representations of the original artifact can be fabricated. The research has focused on the use of photogrammetry as opposed to laser scanning (LS), investigating the shift from LS use to a single DSLR camera exclusively. The basic photogrammetry equipment required is discussed, with the main objective being simplicity of execution for eventual realization of physical products. As the processing power of computers has increased and become widely available, at affordable prices, software programs have improved, so it is now possible to digitally combine multiview photographs, taken from 360 deg, into 3D virtual representational images. This has now led to the possibility of 3D images being created without LS intervention. Two methods of digital data capture are employed and discussed, in acquiring up to 150 digital data images, taken from different angles using a single DSLR camera together with the specific operating conditions in which to photograph the objects. Two case studies are documented, the first a modern clay sculpture, while the second, involves two 3000 year old Egyptian clay artifacts. All and the objects were recreated using AM technology. It has been shown that with the use of a standard DSLR camera and computer software, 2D images can be converted into 3D virtual video replicas as well as solid, geometric representation of the originals.