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01.06 Photogrammetry Capture Assignment

Assignment Deliverables

  1. Capture of an interior space, architectural section, or individual wall
    • Label file YYYY-MM-DD Lastname Firstname Interior Capture (.zip)
  2. Capture of an exterior wall or architectural section.
    • Label file YYYY-MM-DD Lastname Firstname Exterior Capture (.zip)
  3. Capture of a new rigid object using Object Masking + Flipping in RealityScan Mobile
    • Label file YYYY-MM-DD Lastname Firstname Object Mask Capture (.zip)
  4. Short Capture Notes
    • Label file YYY-MM-DD Lastname Firstname Short Capture Notes (.docx,pdf)

Each ZIP should include the exported 3D model and any required texture/material files, one reference photograph, two screenshots of the completed scan, and a brief capture note.

Note: You can upload a single .zip archive of all your files labeled inside the archive for easier submission to Canvas.

Assignment Overview

In class, you used photogrammetry to turn a physical object into a digital 3D asset. For this assignment, make three additional scans that explore different capture situations including, interior architecture, exterior architecture, and a complete rigid object.

The goal is to practice choosing appropriate subjects, maintaining image overlap and coverage, and recognizing why parts of a reconstruction succeed or fail.

Your interior and exterior scans may be used as environments during our upcoming virtual production demonstration.

RealityScan Mobile is recommended because it is the workflow demonstrated in class. You may use other photogrammetry software, but you are responsible for troubleshooting workflows that have not been demonstrated.

1. Interior Capture

Capture an interior wall or manageable section of a space.

A single wall, wall and corner, doorway, alcove, fireplace, stair area, or section of hallway is enough. Do not feel obligated to scan an entire room.

RealityScan Mobile is limited to approximately 300 photographs, so a well captured wall or architectural section is preferable to an incomplete scan of an entire room.

Unlike an object scan, move across the architectural surface rather than orbiting around it. Make overlapping passes at different heights and include some diagonal views to capture depth.

For virtual production, consider choosing a location where a person could plausibly appear in front of the captured environment.

2. Exterior Capture

Capture an exterior wall or manageable architectural section.

Brick, stone, doors, windows, entrances, stairs, trim, and other textured architectural features usually provide useful visual information.

Again, you do not need to capture an entire building. Stay close enough to record useful surface detail, maintain substantial overlap as you move across the surface, and include angled views where possible.

Pay attention to changing sunlight, reflections, moving people or vehicles, and vegetation, all of which can make reconstruction more difficult.

3. Object Masking + Flip Mode

Choose a new rigid object that you did not scan during the in-class Reality Glitch exercise.

Use RealityScan Mobile’s Object Masking workflow and Flip Mode to capture a more complete model.

First photograph the object thoroughly in one orientation. Then flip or reposition it to reveal the surfaces that were previously hidden against the table or floor and continue the capture.

Choose something that maintains the same shape when moved. Avoid loose fabric, flexible bags, plants, people, or other subjects that deform between orientations.

RealityScan Object Capture Tutorial external link

Capture Quality

For all three scans, maintain substantial image overlap, move the camera through space, capture multiple heights and angles, keep images sharp, maintain reasonably consistent lighting, and choose subjects with enough visible detail for the software to track.

Photogrammetry often struggles with mirrors, transparent materials, polished metal, glossy surfaces, blank featureless areas, repetitive patterns, and moving subjects.

A scan does not need to be perfect. Holes, warped geometry, missing surfaces, texture errors, and floating fragments are useful if you can recognize why they occurred.

Refer to the Photogrammetry guide for additional capture information.

Export and Submission

Export a practical, textured version of each model.

Depending on your device and software, this may include .glb, .gltf, .obj, .mtl, and texture image files.

If the model requires multiple files, keep them together inside the ZIP. An OBJ submitted without its MTL or textures may not display correctly.

Short Capture Notes

For each scan, include a brief note answering:

  1. What did you capture?
  2. What worked well?
  3. What failed or reconstructed poorly?
  4. What would you change if you captured it again?

Keep each response concise. The purpose is to begin diagnosing photogrammetry rather than simply labeling a scan as “good” or “bad.”

Grading Rubric

ObjectivePoints
Interior Photogrammetry Capture25
Exterior Photogrammetry Capture25
Object Masking + Flip Mode Capture25
Written Capture Notes15
File Management and Labeling10

Object Masking Photogrammetry Capture - RealityScan Tutorial

Indoor Photogrammetry Capture - RealityScan Tutorial

Outdoor Photogrammetry Capture - Reality Scan Tutorial