A detailed method for creating digital 3D models of human crania: an example of close-range photogrammetry based on the use of Structure-from-Motion (SfM) in virtual anthropology

Abstract Photogrammetry is a survey technique that allows for the building of three-dimensional (3D) models from digitized output data. In recent years, it has been confirmed as one best techniques to build 3D widely used in several fields such life and earth sciences, medicine, architecture, topography, archaeology, crime scene investigation, cinematography, engineering. Close-range photogrammetry, particular, applications osteological studies allowing create databases bone available subsequent qualitative quantitative studies. This work provides step-by-step guide photo acquisition protocol photogrammetric workflow creating high-resolution digital human crania. Our method, based on Structure-from-Motion (SfM), uses single-camera photogrammetry capture chromatic details reconstruct shape with scale error less than 1 mm. Using relatively inexpensive easily transportable equipment quick simple protocol, realistic accurate can be produced minimal effort.