The building I modeled is a newly built residnetial house that’s partially used as GSC and International Student center. Its architectural features includes a gabled roof, front porch with columns, and weathered gray siding.
Modeling a building through photogrammetry feels so different from passive observation. Photographs capture single moment frozen in time. Traditional maps reduce buildings to footprints and symbols which I think takes away their physical presence entirely. Creating a 3D model requires considering the vuilding from every angle. You become acutely aware of its physical presence. For example, how the roof creates shadows, how the porch projects outward, how the building occupies three-dimensional space. The process requires movement around the building per se, which creates knowledge that looking at a map doesn’t provide. You’re not just looking at the building, you’re connectingto it through movement and repeated observation. But in my case, this process is the particularly hard since the house is built on a slope, which means getting the backside of the house on camera with the right angle is almost impossible. As you can see in the image attached above, the house could be fully represented and the back of it is halo…
The process of photogrammetry encourage me to closely look at and attention to details I might otherwise have ignored. Photogrammetry transforms you from observer into active investigator. When taking photos for 3D modelling, you become really aware of details that would normally escape notic like siding patterns, window trim, weathered wood textures. When looking at the 3D model, you often discover things you didn’t notice while photographing. The process leads to discovery, leading to more careful attention in work.
Using metashape was definetely more frustrating than any other technologies we used in class… I spent more time toggling between tutorial videos and the actual software than I’d like to admit. I learned the hard way that photos I thought were perfectly fine were apparently garbage to Metashape’s algorithms. They just wouldn’t align… It’s that followed by defeated walks back to the building for another photo session.
The following link will direct you to my polycam attempt…
1 thought on “Attempting to model a House”
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Your post is really impressive! Your point about photogrammetry creating a deeper, physical connection to the building is really compelling. Moving around it to understand its 3D presence is so different from just looking at a map or a single photo. I also liked your insight on becoming an “active investigator” and noticing hidden details through the process. It’s cool how the model itself can reveal new things. I also had the same challenge when modeling the house.