RECREATING CULTURAL HERITAGE ENVIRONMENTS FOR VR USING PHOTOGRAMMETRY

Abstract. In this paper, we propose a workflow for recreating places of cultural heritage in Virtual Reality (VR) using structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry. The unique texture of heritage places makes them ideal for full photogrammetric capture. An optimized model is created from the photogrammetric data so that it is small enough to render in a real-time environment. The optimized model, combined with mesh maps (texture maps, normal maps, etc.) looks like the original high detail model. The capture of a whole space makes it possible to create a VR experience with six degrees of freedom (6DoF) that allows the user to explore the historic place. Creating these experiences can bring people to cultural heritage that is either endangered or too remote for some people to access. The workflow described in this paper will be demonstrated with the case study of Myin-pya-gu, an 11th century temple in Bagan, Myanmar.