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Area 49

This guide provides information on how to use technology within Area 49, as well as guides for digital technologies and physical projects. Area 49 is available for use by all current students, faculty, and staff.

Room Info

Person at computer in Photogrammetry Lab

Location:

  • Atkins Library, Room 101E, first floor

Tech in Lab:

  • Alienware PC running Agisoft Metashape photogrammetry software
  • Photography equipment including Canon EOS Rebel T7i DSLR camera with lens, optional macro lens with built-in light, tripod, lighting kit, 10’ x 12’ white backdrop, and manual turntable

Use Options:

  • Training and reservations are required. To request a training please email atkinsarea49@charlotte.edu.

Cost:

  • Free

Metashape Software

Creating a 3D Model

See the full 3D Model Reconstruction visual tutorial for more detailed instructions. 

Save your model after each step.

  1. Add Photos, go to Workflow > Add Photos.
    • Select and upload photos in dialog box. To select multiple photos hold Shift key and select a range of photos or hold Ctrl (control) key and select each photo.
    • If photos have not been taken in the Photogrammetry Lab and have background noise that you do not want to be in the model, you can mask photos before moving onto the next step. See the Masking Visual Tutorial for instructions. 
  2. Align Photos, go to Workflow > Align Photos.
    • Recommended Align Photo settings: Accuracy: High; Reference preselection: Sequential; Key point Limit: 40,000; Tie point limit: 10,000
  3. Build Dense Cloud, go to Workflow > Build Dense Cloud.
    • Recommended Build Dense Cloud settings: Quality: Medium; Depth filter: Mild; Calculate point colors checked. 
  4. Build Mesh, go to Workflow > Build Mesh.
    • Recommended Build Mesh settings: Source data: Depth maps; Quality: Medium; Face count: Medium; Reuse depth maps: checked.
  5. Build Texture, go to Workflow Build Texture.
    • Recommended Build Texture settings:
      • Texture type: Diffuse map
      • Source data: Images
      • Mapping mode: Generic
      • Blending mode: Mosaic (default)
      • Texture size/count; 10,000 x 1
      • Enable hole filling: checked
      • Enable ghosting filter: checked.
  6. Export Model, go to File > Export Model.
  • OBJ (.obj) and STL (.stl) are the most commonly used file types. See Online Sharing Platforms for file type recommendation for sharing your 3D model in Sketchfab. 

Camera & Lighting Equipment

Taking Your Photographs

  1. Place the item to be photographed on the turntable in the center of the lighting and backdrop setup. If your item is too large for the turntable, it can be moved out of the area. 

  2. Adjust lights so that light is evenly distributed across the item with minimal shadows present. Overhead lights can be turned off if helpful.

  3. Turn on the camera and adjust settings.

  4. If using macro lens, unscrew cover on built-in light and press power button on side of lens to turn on full light. Press power button again to turn on half light. Note: Be sure to turn light off when finished take photographs. 

  5. Adjust tripod with camera to photograph the object at a downward angle.

  6. Take first photograph, then rotate object slightly (10°-20°) and take another photograph.

  7. Continue rotating your item at small intervals (10°-20°), photographing it after each small rotation until it has been turned in a full circle (360°). Avoid moving the camera or tripod during this process. Take 15-30 photographs with the camera at this first angle.

  8. Adjust tripod and camera to photograph the object straight on. Repeat step 7, rotating and photographing the object until it has turned 360° and 15-30 photographs have been taken.

  9. Adjust the tripod and camera to photograph the object at an upward angle. Repeat step 7, rotating and photographing the object until it has turned 360° and 15-30 photographs have been taken.