Appendix C. Capturing a 3D model using photogrammetry
In this appendix, you will use the digital camera on a smartphone, together with free and open-source software, to create a photorealistic 3D model of a physical object, and convert it to 3D tiles. A photorealistic model is a 3D digital representation that captures an object’s real-world visual appearance, including its color, texture, and surface detail, rather than just its geometry. In digital twins, photorealistic models are valuable because they allow users to visually inspect and recognize assets in their true-to-life form, supporting tasks such as condition assessment, remote inspection, and stakeholder communication, where realistic visual context improves understanding and decision-making.
The technique used to create these models is known as Structure from Motion (SfM), a photogrammetry method that reconstructs 3D geometry by analyzing the movement of common features across multiple overlapping photographs taken from different viewpoints. The object you model may be part of your home or another asset that you would like to create a digital representation of. You will learn how to capture photographs with an appropriate level of overlap for good SfM processing, how to install the software needed to process the images, and what to do with the resulting model.
C.1 What you’ll need
To capture and process the images, you will need the following.