IMAGOartis

Abstract

This DFP is focused on the design and implementation of a device that allows to study and analysis cultural heritage small objects. Specifically, this device, called IMAGOartis //, allows to perform automatically two distinct digital image acquisition techniques: the first is characterized by fixing the camera perpendicular to the surface to be imaged and by illuminate the scene under different angles; the other by setting the illumination perpendicular to the surface to be imaged and by acquiring images from different angles. The former setting is used to perform a computational photographic method called Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) [1]. The latter setting allows to obtain images that can be used for photogrammetric reconstruction to obtain 3D digital models. Both methods are used in several application fields where the study and analysis of surface morphology is needed. Being both methods non-destructive and non-invasive, these have been adopted by cultural heritage science. As for the RTI method, the set of images acquired by using the IMAGOartis // device are processed by using the non-proprietary, open source software RTIbuilder. As for the 3D reconstruction, the device is capable to transfer in real time and wirelessly the images to the computer during the acquisition process and execute a 3D reconstruction using the non-proprietary and open source software COLMAP [2]. The use of two non-proprietary and open source softwares to perform the image processing tasks is intentional, as the IMAGOartis // falls under the umbrella of the open hardware concept, that means that the original hardware design is freely available for future replications, implementations and/or customizations. Indeed, the IMAGOartis // follows the development of IMAGOartis, a device developed during the Integrated projects II course at the UVic-UCC [3] and that was implemented within the EU funded project smARTS at the MECAMAT research group [5] under the supervision of Dr. Gaudenzi. The original device was only able to perform semi-automatic image acquisition process for RTI method. This new version represents an innovative advancement, as it allows to add another imaging acquisition technique (for the 3D reconstruction), shows a full automatization of the acquisition process and as for the photogrammetric reconstruction, of the image processing step, and a new and original mechanical and electronic design conceived to allow future implementations by easily change both imaging and illumination systems.