OPTIMIZED CONFIGURATIONS FOR MICRO-PHOTOGRAMMETRIC SURVEYING ADAPTABLE TO MACRO OPTICS AND DIGITAL MICROSCOPE

Abstract. The configuration of new survey approaches for digitizing tiny artefacts is gradually emerging in favour of the related results sharing in new modalities such as 3D printing and or Cultural Heritage open-access datasets. Unfortunately, due to the still high cost of the instrumentations and the time required for specialized operators training, both the digital documentation of small artefacts and the dissemination of 3D data are still a long way from becoming truly mainstream practices.

Alternative solutions, often at low cost, could be considered, involving the use of passive sensors for image-based modelling processes, relying on a widespread technology that is now within everyone’s reach. Therefore, we intend to meet the demand for the three-dimensional representation of small objects with complex surfaces and sub-millimetre morphological characteristics by designing several custom accessories that optimize the photogrammetric workflow while maintaining very high metric rigour.

In this current work, the authors will focus on researching the most suitable acquisition method and hardware setup to achieve a digital twin of a complex and detailed cuneiform tablet replica using the now widely available on the market digital portable microscopes, able to achieve high magnification. The results were compared with a reference dataset from an active sensor acquisition for the necessary procedure validations.