Underwater photogrammetric documentation
Aix-Marseille University
Reference Teacher: Jafar Anbar (AMU)
Teacher(s): Jafar Anbar & Prof. Kalliopi Baika
This course offers a comprehensive skills-set of underwater documentation technologies, focusing on the integration of cutting-edge tools and techniques for geoarchaeological and archaeological studies. Participants will perform hands-on experience practice including UW photogrammetric recording of submerged geological and archaeological landscapes with UW cameras. All collected data will be treated in Metashape software for 3D modelling and data analysis. The objective is for participants and professionals to acquire an operational experience on the field focusing on experience-based fieldwork in an all-inclusive approach, from the theoretical introduction to the actual acquisition of systematic scientific documentation using non-destructive techniques, to the treatment in specific software (after a thorough technical introduction) in order to be able to proceed to the scientific analysis of the collected data.
PhD training in Aix-Marseille University (The PhD training platform ADUM (Accès Doctorat Unique et Mutualisé). Master, PhD students and professionals for up-skilling, re-skilling, and capacity building.
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental technologies associated with 3D UW visual documentation of submerged landscapes, including geological features or archaeological sites (coastal or submerged). They will explore the application, advantages and the limitations of these immersive technologies in the context of submerged cultural heritage sites (i.e. the submerged archaeological harbour site of Aigina, Greece). Moreover, they will also acquire the specific knowledge and skills to implement step by step the main phases of the systematic scientific documentation of an underwater cultural/natural heritage site.
Participants will be able to perform a systematic, high-resolution and precisely georeferenced documentation of any UW cultural/geological/natural heritage site by using cutting-edge as well as efficient, time saving and non-destructive techniques.
Based on the site accessibility, the depth, the weather, the visibility and the time factor, the participants will be able to adapt to the surrounding environment and site’s boundaries in order to achieve better results considering the advantages and limitations of the UW cameras.
Participants will be able to visualise and demonstrate the documentation results and the analysed photogrammetric data effectively using interactive 3D models. Finally, these results can be shared by the participants in different formats and can be exported for further analysis with other software.
This course gives the chance for the participants to perform the documentation tasks themselves, which will increase their ability of understanding the functionality of the UW cameras and enrich their skills to adapt to or solve any problems that they could face during the survey with the supervision of the trainers. This hands-on experience method minimizes the doubts or the stress that the participants may have before using the instruments.
Diving skills: Level II of diving / Diving equipment / Personal laptop with installed photogrammetry software (@Metashape) / / UW camera if possible
Lectures (in-person or online), fieldwork sessions and desk-based training
Evaluation by the completion of the fieldwork project and the final visualization and sharing of the 3D data. Evaluation sheet from AMU (in English, French, – adapted to other languages as well) sent online.
The course begins with an introduction to photogrammetric documentation with underwater cameras, providing instruction on equipment setup, image capture, and creating 3D models in @Metashape software. Instruction will be given, and participants will work individually and in teams in order to prepare this data for real-world applications and scientific analysis in marine biology, archaeology, geology, environmental science, and related fields.
The expected learning outcomes can contribute to the achievements of the following goals: Goal 14: Life below water, Goal 13: Climate Action, and Goal 4: Quality Education
For PhD students of Aix-Marseille University, they can simply apply through their personal account on ADUM (https://adum.fr/index.pl). For other PhD, master students and professionals by simply showing their interest to follow this course through contacting the following email address: info@unescochair-mca.org
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
Understand the principles of underwater 3D photogrammetry
Familiarize themselves with the equipment required for underwater 3D photogrammetry
Learn the step-by-step process of conducting an underwater 3D photogrammetric survey
Process and analyse the collected data to create detailed 3D models and DEMos
Overview of the significance of underwater 3D photogrammetry in fields such as maritime archaeology, environmental monitoring, and underwater mapping. Discuss the challenges of capturing accurate 3D data underwater, including visibility, lighting, and equipment limitations. Introduce the concept of underwater 3D photogrammetry and its applications. Discuss the principles of Underwater 3D Photogrammetry, the types of camera systems suitable for underwater 3D photogrammetry and their features.
Includingequipment preparation for UW survey (3 Different types of UW cameras). Discuss the use of reference scales and targets to enhance the accuracy of photogrammetric measurements. Additionally, outline the necessary safety measures and preparations for conducting underwater 3D photogrammetry. Demonstrate a dive planning, including selecting survey area, considering lighting conditions, and determining photographing routes.
Guide participants through the process of capturing a series of overlapping images underwater, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the survey area. Highlight the importance of effective communication among team members during underwater surveys, emphasizing safety protocols. Three cameras will be employed for the participants to perform UW photogrammetric surveys under the supervision of the trainers.
Show participants how to import their photogrammetric data sets into @Metashape for processing, align the photos to create a point cloud, generate dense point clouds from aligned photos, create 3D meshes and DEMos, build texture for realistic visualization, setup the coordinate system within @Metashape for accurate georeferencing, generate the 2D orthophoto and finally export the results for advanced analysis in @QGIS software. Finally, summarize the key points covered in the module.Open the floor for questions and answers, encouraging participants to seek clarification on any aspect of the underwater photogrammetric documentation.
Several sections from the user manuals of different software can be useful during and after the completion of the course.
– Agisoft Metashape user manual: https://www.agisoft.com/pdf/metashape-pro_1_7_en.pdf
Moreover, step by step instructions and practical recommendations will be provided in PDF format to guide the participants on how to operate UW cameras, capture and process accurate data, and create detailed georeferenced 3D models