Jul 2026· The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences· 0 citations· 2 references
Abstract
Abstract. This paper presents a comparative analysis of traditional photogrammetric methods and 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) technology in the digitisation of Cultural Heritage (CH). Two representative datasets, differing in scale and image acquisition conditions, were selected to systematically evaluate the performance of both methods in terms of visual quality, geometric accuracy, computational efficiency and stability. The results indicate that 3DGS significantly outperforms traditional photogrammetry methods in terms of rendering quality and real-time visualisation capabilities, generating more realistic and immersive visual effects. However, its geometric accuracy is generally slightly lower than that of traditional methods, a difference that is particularly pronounced in small-scale datasets or under low-resolution input conditions. Among the various implementation methods, Postshot and LichtFeld Studio demonstrated higher stability and robustness, whilst the original GraphDeco method exhibited greater sensitivity to data scale and parameter settings. Photogrammetry offers reliability in high-precision geometric reconstruction, whilst 3DGS demonstrates significant potential for complementing this with a high-fidelity visual experience. The research findings try to provide practical guidance for selecting 3D reconstruction methods across different cultural heritage application scenarios.
This work proposes a hybrid reconstruction pipeline, leveraging the strengths and benefits of each technique, which exploits the accurate geometry of photogrammetry in well-textured regions and the GS capabilities to improve completeness and visual aspect in areas featuring non-collaborative surfaces.
Fabio Remondino, E. M. Farella, Gianluca Bertolasi et al.· The International Archives o...· 0 citations
Physical inspections in various contexts (industrial, operational, medical, etc.) often require surface analysis, but how is it possible to review or improve past inspections retrospectively, even when the object under investigation is no longer available? Classical photogrammetry enables 3D reconstructions but often struggles with incomplete photo sets or noise. This study integrates photogrammetry with Gaussian Splatting, a recent technique enhancing visualisation via colour-based 3D rendering; virtual images obtained from Gaussian-Splatting renders enable the retrospective revisiting of photogrammetry-based reconstructions, improving their quality and accuracy. Two case studies in aerospace maintenance and medical imaging suggest that this approach can enhance
ex-post
surface inspections, allowing for a closer examination of details that were initially overlooked. The novelty of this contribution lies in the use of virtual renderings not only for visualisation purposes, but also as supplementary data to enrich 3D reconstruction, combining the visual strength of Gaussian Splatting with the geometric reliability of photogrammetry.
M. Trombini, D. Maisano, F. Franceschini· Scientific Reports· 0 citations
Abstract. The 3D reconstruction of cultural heritage artefacts plays a crucial role in documentation, conservation and dissemination. While recent advances in photogrammetry, laser scanning and neural rendering techniques have significantly improved the geometric accuracy and visual realism of digitised assets, the reconstruction of transparent and reflective materials - typical in museal collections - remains a major challenge. Materials such as glass, glazes and varnishes exhibit complex optical behaviours, leading to incomplete or inaccurate 3D models. Recent developments in Gaussian Splatting (GS) offer a potential alternative by enabling efficient, high-fidelity scene representation without explicit surface modelling. However, their application to non-Lambertian and transparent heritage objects remains largely unexplored. This paper presents a study on GS methods for the 3D digitisation of transparent cultural heritage artefacts. Through a series of experimental reconstructions, the work investigates the potential and limitations of GS, highlight the opportunities of hybrid pipelines for addressing long-standing challenges in the digitisation of non-collaborative materials.
Marco Medici, Andrea Sterpin, Stefano Settimo et al.· The International Archives o...· 0 citations
Three Gaussian splatting methods as implemented in the Postshot commercial software were tested and show that MILo shows very promising results in terms of detail reconstruction, while standard Gaussian splatting excels in visualisation but is still plagued by a high rate of noise especially when converted into a geometric point cloud form.
Sara Gonizzi Barsanti, D. Billi, E. Sommer et al.· The International Archives o...· 0 citations
Abstract In the 21st century, the cost of personal computers and digital cameras has reduced significantly. This technological advancement means that collecting large amounts of data has become inexpensive. The reduced cost of data collection corresponds with a decline in the awareness of meticulous planning in photogrammetric projects and an increase in the volume of unstructured data. CyArk, a non-profit organization based in California, has documented heritage sites globally using a combination of LiDAR and photogrammetry and published their datasets through the OpenHeritage3D portal, an open-access platform. These datasets often lack proper documentation, standardization, and modularization. Although these data can create photorealistic models, they do not contain survey data and meticulous project planning, resulting in unstructured data. While existing literature explores the reusability of CyArk data through 3D modelling, mapping, and architectural drawing, the current literature lacks a systematic review of CyArk’s capture process, OpenHeritage3D’s archival method, and the accuracy of the 3D data. This study reviews the datasets from OpenHeriage3D using RealityCapture and 3Dsurvey software. The two case studies aim to deliver traditional 2D façade documentation from LiDAR and photogrammetric data. Ultimately, this article provides suggestions for CyArk and OpenHeritage3D to improve the process of data creation and storage.
Chung-Ting Esmond Lo, G. Bevan· Preservation, Digital Techno...· 0 citations
Abstract. Historical surveying instruments represent invaluable cultural heritage artifacts that embody centuries of scientific and technological advancement in geodesy and cartography. However, their inherent fragility and limited accessibility restrict their educational potential and preservation. This study proposes an integrated digital preservation methodology for the Cartographic Sciences Museum at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), combining low-cost smartphone photogrammetry, three-dimensional reconstruction, geometric optimization, and augmented reality (AR) visualization. A Structure-from-Motion (SfM) workflow processed 303 smartphone images (Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro) with systematic multi-angular capture and controlled overlap (30-60%). A three-chunk processing strategy in Agisoft Metashape optimized computational efficiency while maintaining geometric consistency. Post-processing in Blender reduced polygon complexity by 90% while preserving critical morphological features. Metric validation achieved root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.42 cm, demonstrating geometric fidelity adequate for heritage documentation. Integration into an AR application (Unity/Vuforia) enabled interactive mobile visualization of digitized artifacts. This methodology democratizes access to the UFPE collection for academic research and public engagement, enabling students, researchers, and the general public to explore historical geodetic instruments interactively. Results demonstrate that accessible, low-cost technologies can achieve quality comparable to conventional surveying methods while advancing digital heritage preservation and science communication.
Clovis Henrique Silva de Andrade, S. Sato, Juyara Bezerra de Araujo et al.· The International Archives o...· 0 citations
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