Epic Dimensions: A Comparative Analysis of 3d Acquisition Methods

Abstract. When it comes to capturing the geometry of a cultural heritage artifact, there is certainly no dearth of possible acquisition techniques. As technology has rapidly developed, the availability of intuitive 3D generating tools has increased exponentially and made it possible even for non-specialists to create many models quickly. Though the by-products of these different acquisition methods may be incongruent in terms of quality, these discrepancies are not problematic, as there are many applications of 3D models, each with their own set of requirements. Comparisons of high-resolution 3D models of an iconic Babylonian tablet, captured via four different closerange technologies discussed in this paper assess which methods of 3D digitization best suit specific intended purposes related to research, conservation and education. Taking into consideration repeatability, time and resource implications, qualitative and quantitative potential and ease of use, this paper presents a study of the strengths and weakness of structured light scanning, triangulation laser scanning, photometric stereo and close-range photogrammetry, in the context of interactive investigation, conditions monitoring, engagement, and dissemination.