The course aims to provide students with the technical and scientific knowledge, along with the tools, to learn and consciously use the principles of photogrammetry in the field of archaeological surveying, as well as the construction of three-dimensional digital models based on photogrammetric techniques in the fields of conservation of monumental sites and historic-artistic buildings. Specifically, at the end of the course, the student will be able to design a georeferenced photogrammetric survey, carry it out, construct reality-based 3D models, and prepare them for typical uses in documentation processes: analysis, evaluation, management, communication.

The course includes in-depth studies on multi-scalar themes to enable students to range from the conscious survey of the archaeological artifact to the site within the urban context. To this end, specific lessons on digital information modeling will be provided, with attention to geographic information systems and ArchaeoBIM modeling environments.

The course will be structured based on the following general program.

GENERAL PHOTOGRAPHY REVIEW

- Photogrammetric capture using a smartphone
- Description of photographic equipment and their operating principles
- Exemplification of the use of a camera and lighting bodies, capture of simple objects
- Geometric deformation and perspective in photography
- Photography aimed at surveying

DIGITAL GEOMETRIC MODELING

- Some principles of computer graphics: homogeneous coordinates and geometric transformations
- Review of the main methodologies of three-dimensional modeling: CSG and B-Rep
- Review of polygonal graphic formats (OBJ, PLY, STL, etc.)
- Point clouds and their conversion into triangular meshes
- Triangle meshes: main operations of simplification, smoothing, and regularization
- Introduction to texturing of models based on polygonal meshes

ELEMENTS OF COLORIMETRY

- Color spaces
- Color acquisition and reproduction
- Color appearance and BRDF
- Color measurement
- Use of color systems (Munsell, NCS, Pantone, RAL)
- Color acquisition through imaging techniques
- Color correction techniques
- White balance and color balance in images

ELEMENTS OF PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAMMETRY

- Basic concepts
- Planning a photogrammetric survey
- Principle of collinearity
- Camera models and camera calibration
- Camera orientation
- Manual, semi-automatic, and automatic procedures
- Image feature detection and matching
- Structure from Motion
- Bundle Adjustment
- Creation of sparse point clouds
- Dense stereo matching
- General rules of capture and camera network
- Photogrammetric texturing
- Creation of orthophotos

ELEMENTS OF SEMANTIC AND INFORMATIONAL MODELING

- Basic concepts
- Informational attributes and metadata
- BIM and ArchaeoBIM information modeling systems
- Extension to the large area matrix: GIS systems
- Hints of use for popular software

No specific prior knowledge is required, but a general familiarity with the use of photographic tools such as cameras or smartphones is recommended, along with a basic understanding of using a computer in an MS Windows or Apple MacOS environment.

Knowledge and Understanding

- Knowledge of the essential methods and tools to address the issues of measurement through surveying (problems and methods);
- Ability to distinguish and compare the fundamental surveying methodologies and their cultural contexts.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding

- Knowledge and comprehension of the concepts and methods covered by the course;
- Ability to analyze and utilize the characteristics of surveying tools and digital restitution.

Making Judgements

- Ability to identify the criticalities and peculiarities of various contexts and place them in a temporal framework.

Communication Skills

- Ability to proactively communicate the fundamentals of digital photogrammetry.

Learning Skills 

- Ability to use knowledge and concepts that enable reasoning according to the specific logic of the discipline.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

There will be extensive use of the university's distribution resources to allow real-time information exchange on the topics covered during the course.

Since Adobe software (Lightroom Mobile for iOS or Android) will be favored in the presentation of methods and concepts, students are encouraged to install a free copy on their smartphones by registering on the Adobe website (https://www.adobe.com/it/) to activate and ensure the free use of the program on their smartphones.

Teaching

The course is organized into cycles of theoretical lectures, practical exercises to learn dedicated techniques and software, and the direct application of theoretical and practical content to a reference case study.

Innovative teaching methods

The teaching methodology of this course is innovative for several reasons:

1. Integration of Technical and Scientific Knowledge: The course does not merely provide the theoretical foundations of photogrammetry but also integrates specific scientific and technical knowledge for archaeological surveying and the construction of three-dimensional digital models. This multidisciplinary approach allows students to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of photogrammetric techniques applied to real-world contexts.

2. Practical and Applied Focus: Students learn not only the theoretical principles but also how to practically apply them in the design and execution of georeferenced photogrammetric surveys and the construction of reality-based 3D models. This emphasis on practice prepares students to tackle concrete challenges in the field of monument conservation and historic-artistic building.

3. Multiscale Approach: The course offers in-depth studies on multiscale topics, enabling students to move from the survey of individual archaeological artifacts to the survey of sites in the urban context. This provides a comprehensive and versatile perspective, essential for operating in complex archaeological settings.

4. Use of Advanced Technologies: Specific lessons on digital information modeling are provided, with particular attention to geographic information systems (GIS) and ArchaeoBIM modeling environments. The integration of these advanced technologies makes the course cutting-edge, preparing students to use modern and innovative tools for the documentation and management of cultural heritage.

5. Preparation for Various Documentary Uses: The course prepares students to use 3D models not only for analysis and evaluation but also for the management and communication of results. This makes students versatile and ready to meet the diverse needs of documentation processes in the field of cultural heritage.

In summary, the innovativeness of this course's teaching lies in its ability to combine theory and practice, adopt a multiscale approach, and integrate advanced technologies, providing students with comprehensive and modern training in photogrammetry applied to archaeological surveying and the conservation of historic-artistic heritage.

Attendance

Learning is evaluated exclusively through the final exam, which assesses the complete acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills through a discussion of the work carried out during the year. The preparation and presentation of practical assignments are essential requirements for admission to the exam: the completeness of the documentation will be checked at the end of the course during a "final review," which is necessary to enroll in the exam.

Course books

• De Luca L., La fotomodellazione architettonica, Dario Flaccovio Editore, Palermo, 2011.
• Docci M., Maestri D., Gaiani M., Scienza del disegno, Città Studi, Novara, 2021.
• Garagnani S., Gaucci A., Moscati P., Gaiani M., ArchaeoBIM - Theory, Processes and Digital Methodologies for the Lost Heritage, Bologna University Press, Bologna, 2021.
• Guidi G., Russo M., Beraldin J.A., Acquisizione 3D e modellazione poligonale, Mac Graw Hill, Milano, 2010.
• Luhmann T., Robson S., Kyle S, Boehm J., Close-range photogrammetry and 3D imaging, 3rd edition, De Gruyter, Berlino, 2020.
• Szelisky R., Computer Vision: Algorithms and Applications, Springer, Berlino, 2011
• Hunt R.G.W., The Reproduction of Colour, 6th edition, Wiley, Hoboken, 2005.

Assessment

The assessment methods consist of an oral examination during the final evaluation, during which the results of the mandatory exercise will be presented, demonstrating the independent practice carried out by the student. The instructor may ask some general questions related to how the exercise was conducted, following the methods and techniques presented in the lectures.

The contents of the mandatory exercise, detailed for everyone on the course's Blended page in a specifically prepared document, will also be introduced and addressed during the lectures.

The final evaluation is the result of various criteria applied to the assessment of the content and oral presentation of the individual work completed for the exam. These criteria are defined as follows:

• Completeness (up to 10 points): The work is complete, all elements have been surveyed as required, the views of the exercise subjects are adequately presented, and the models are complete.
• Correctness (up to 10 points): The answers to the questions, the generated models, and views represent a formally correct photogrammetry project, with appropriate rendering of measurements and proportions.
• Care (up to 10 points): The models are well-refined, texture maps are correct, and even non-mandatory elements or views have been modeled with attention. Every detail of the survey project has been developed with care.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

For students who are unable to attend, the LABORATORY OF PHOTOGRAMMETRIC SURVEY AND GIS adopts a comprehensive and structured teaching methodology, divided into two main modes of instruction:

- Self-learning based on materials provided by the instructor: Students will have access to lecture slides, notes, and a reference bibliography, providing a solid theoretical foundation on the principles of photogrammetry at various scales. These materials will be essential for introducing and delving into fundamental concepts, preparing students for practical activities.

- Availability of the instructor for individual consultations: Students will have the opportunity to schedule individual meetings with the instructor for clarifications, discussions, and deeper insights into the course topics. These consultations will support autonomous learning and address any doubts or difficulties encountered during independent study.

These combined teaching methods aim to provide a complete and integrated learning experience, blending self-learning, individual support, and personal development, preparing students to excel both academically and professionally.

Attendance

Learning is assessed exclusively through the final exam, which evaluates the comprehensive acquisition of knowledge and expected skills through a discussion on the work completed during the year. The preparation and presentation of exercise works are essential requirements for admission to the exam: the completeness of the documentation will be checked at the end of the course during a "final review," necessary to enroll in the exam. Non-attending students will therefore need to, after communication via email with the instructor, present the independently completed work to receive confirmation of eligibility to take the final exam.

Course books

• De Luca L., La fotomodellazione architettonica, Dario Flaccovio Editore, Palermo, 2011.
• Docci M., Maestri D., Gaiani M., Scienza del disegno, Città Studi, Novara, 2021.
• Garagnani S., Gaucci A., Moscati P., Gaiani M., ArchaeoBIM - Theory, Processes and Digital Methodologies for the Lost Heritage, Bologna University Press, Bologna, 2021.
• Guidi G., Russo M., Beraldin J.A., Acquisizione 3D e modellazione poligonale, Mac Graw Hill, Milano, 2010.
• Luhmann T., Robson S., Kyle S, Boehm J., Close-range photogrammetry and 3D imaging, 3rd edition, De Gruyter, Berlino, 2020.
• Szelisky R., Computer Vision: Algorithms and Applications, Springer, Berlino, 2011
• Hunt R.G.W., The Reproduction of Colour, 6th edition, Wiley, Hoboken, 2005.

Assessment

For non-attending students, the assessment of learning will also occur through the final exam only, which will verify the acquisition of all the expected knowledge and skills through a discussion of the work produced for the exam.

The preparation and presentation of individual assignments, previously agreed upon with the instructor, is a necessary condition for admission to the exam: the completeness of the documentation will be verified at the end of the course in a "final review," which is required for exam enrollment.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.