My first foray into YouTube-based tutorials examines QGIS for archaeology. You can view those here. More recently, I’ve begun a second YouTube playlist regarding other open source tools for digital heritage. As with my QGIS for Arch tutorials, these tutorials include sample data and in-depth instructions. While geared for beginners, even experienced users will likely get something out of them as well.
The first tutorial explores the use of Meshroom, perhaps the most popular open source photogrammetry software currently available. Meshroom is different from similar software (like Metashape) in that it uses a node-based settings system. This video explores these settings as well. Future tutorials will discuss methods for post-processing these 3D models. My Meshroom tutorial explores the most common settings while creating a 3D model of a well at the Kingsley Plantation federal park in Florida.
2021 Update: you can view the finished model for my Meshroom tutorial on Sketchfab.
The second tutorial in this series explores the process of retopologizing a 3D model produced with photogrammetry software. Topology refers to the 3D characteristics of a 3D model, or mesh. Most photogrammetry software creates very complex models with triangles making up the object’s shape. Squares, or quads are a more efficient way of representing 3D objects. The process of retopologizing explored in this tutorial converts the triangles of a raw photogrammetry model to one using quads. There are many benefits to this, including smaller file sizes, more organized texture maps, and faster render times. This tutorial uses Blender and Instant Meshes.
2021 Update: view a comparison of two models that were put through this process.
