Archiving and digital exhibition
Digitization of stored works, virtual exhibition, online 3D catalog. Sketchfab, Apple AR Quick Look (USDZ) compatible.
SERVICE · 03 / 06
High-resolution
photogrammetry.
Textured 3D restitution for UNESCO heritage, urban archaeology, judicial expertise and audiovisual production. 8K texture, 1 mm resolution on objects.
Resolution
1 mm
on heritage object
Texture
8K
high-definition color map
Photos
50 to 5,000
per subject scale
Photogrammetry is the oldest 3D capture method — Aimé Laussedat invented it in 1850 for military mapping — but it is today revolutionized by SfM (Structure-from-Motion) algorithms and massive GPU computation. It consists of reconstructing a 3D geometry and its texture from a set of photographs taken at different angles with overlap.
Where the laser scanner excels in geometric accuracy but provides limited native texture, photogrammetry produces high-resolution texture, faithful to human perception. On a heritage object, a statue, a fresco, a facade ornament, photogrammetry becomes the reference tool — 8K texture, sub-millimetric resolution on fine detail.
ARPEO combines a high-resolution DSLR (45 MP), fixed lenses for heritage photography, the DJI Matrice 4E drone for high views, and the Reality Capture software chain for processing. On a complex subject, laser scan and photogrammetry are combined: the laser produces reference geometry, photogrammetry projects the texture.
Mobilization within 5 working days in PACA. Acquisition duration highly variable by scale: 2 h for a statue, 1 day for a facade, 3 to 5 days for a full monument. Contractual delivery lead time 15 days for a standard subject, up to 30 days for a large heritage site.
— EQUIPMENT
The equipment
High-resolution photography, drone and SfM processing chain.
45 MP photogrammetric body
Canon EOS R5 DSLR
- 45 MP full-frame sensor
- 8-stop stabilization
- 14-bit RAW DNG mode
- 4K HDMI output for calibration
Fixed optics for photogrammetry
Canon RF L lenses
- RF 35 mm f/1.8 macro IS
- RF 50 mm f/1.2 L USM
- RF 24-105 mm f/4 L IS (overall views)
- Regular geometric calibration
Drone for high views
DJI Matrice 4E
- Aerial photogrammetry complementing terrestrial
- RTK for georeferencing
- See Drone page for full specifications
Main SfM software
Reality Capture
- Aerotriangulation up to 100,000 images
- High-resolution dense matching
- Adaptive mesh up to 50M triangles
- 16K texture maximum
- Export OBJ, FBX, PLY, USDZ, GLB, GLTF, STL
Alternative chain
Agisoft Metashape
- Backup software for specific cases
- Hyperspectral and multispectral processing
- Automatic markers
— PROCESS
How a photogrammetric campaign unfolds
Five steps for museum-quality results.
- 01 · BRIEF
LOD and deliverable definition
Conservator, heritage architect, archaeologist or set designer: definition of target resolution, delivery format, end use (archiving, exhibition, 3D web, AR, video game).
Duration48 hours - 02 · ACQUISITION
Terrestrial and drone shooting
Per scale: DSLR + macro lenses for ornaments and statues, drone for high and overall views. 50 to 5,000 photos per subject. Homogeneous-light conditions mandatory.
Duration0.5 to 5 days - 03 · PROCESSING
Reality Capture + manual retouching
Aerotriangulation, dense matching, mesh generation, 8K texture projection. Manual cleanup of artifacts (mobile furniture, occupants, hidden parts).
Duration3 to 15 days - 04 · OPTIMIZATION
Decimation and UV-mapping
Mesh optimized for end use: high density for archiving (50M triangles), reduced for 3D web (< 200 k triangles). UV-mapping for texture.
Duration1 to 3 days - 05 · DELIVERABLE
Multi-format for end use
Textured OBJ/FBX/USDZ mesh for museum, GLTF/GLB for Sketchfab, 4K turn-around video, high-resolution HD views.
Duration1 day
— USES
Uses by sector
Six sectors where high-resolution photogrammetry is the right tool.
Multi-year monitoring and label application
High-resolution textured archiving before restoration. DRAC, UNESCO, Historic Monument classification application files.
Preventive excavations and strata
Chronological restitution of excavation layers before backfill. Compatible with INRAP archaeological databases.
Expertise and time-stamped report
Damage, claim, defect. Time-stamped textured mesh for contentious use. Comparable to scientific photography admissible in court.
Cinema, video games, set design
Textured 3D models for digital sets, video games (Unreal Engine, Unity), theatrical scenography. USDZ/FBX format ready to integrate.
Complex part inspection
Mechanical parts, prototypes, industrial sculpture. Comparative metrology between photogrammetry and original CAD.
— DELIVERABLES
Delivery formats
Chosen based on your end use.
| Format | Usage | Size |
|---|---|---|
| OBJ + MTL + PNG textures Universal 3D format, read by all software | Universal 3D format, read by all software | 500 MB to 50 GB |
| FBX Animation, video games, audiovisual (Maya, Unreal Engine, Unity) | Animation, video games, audiovisual (Maya, Unreal Engine, Unity) | 200 MB to 20 GB |
| GLTF / GLB 3D web, Sketchfab, three.js (optimized < 200 MB) | 3D web, Sketchfab, three.js (optimized < 200 MB) | 50 to 200 MB |
| USDZ Apple AR Quick Look, iOS augmented reality | Apple AR Quick Look, iOS augmented reality | 20 to 200 MB |
| PLY Open point cloud format, scientific archiving | Open point cloud format, scientific archiving | 1 to 50 GB |
| 4K turn-around video Client presentation, communication, exhibition | Client presentation, communication, exhibition | 500 MB to 5 GB |
— STANDARDS
Standards & compliance
Best practices and documentary standards.
ICOM heritage photogrammetry
ICOM guide for 3D digitization of museum collections — resolution, metadata, archiving.
buildingSMART IFC
Mesh exportable to IFC for heritage BIM integration.
Khronos GLTF 2.0
Open 3D web format, PBR (Physically Based Rendering) metadata.
Apple USDZ
iOS AR Quick Look format, optimized for mobile.
— PRICING
How much does photogrammetry cost
Pricing by subject scale and target resolution.
— RELATED
Where we operate
Photogrammetry is our heritage specialty in PACA.
— FAQ
Photogrammetry — frequently asked questions.
What is the difference between photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning?
Laser scanning is active (laser distance measurement): ±2 mm geometric accuracy, limited texture. Photogrammetry is passive (reconstruction from photos): ±5 mm geometric accuracy, high-resolution 8K texture. On a heritage object, photogrammetry is often preferred. On an industrial building, the scanner. Often we combine both.
How many photos for a project?
Indicative: 1.5 m statue = 80 to 200 photos. 100 m² facade = 200 to 500 photos. Full monument (cathedral, palace) = 1,000 to 10,000 photos, drone + terrestrial combined.
Compatible with Sketchfab and virtual tours?
Yes. GLTF 2.0 export (gltf-pipeline + draco compression) optimized for the web — mesh reduced to < 200 MB, 4K texture. Directly viewable in Sketchfab, three.js, Babylon.js, or in AR on iOS via USDZ.
Compatible with a Historic Monument classification application?
Yes. We deliver files matching DRAC expectations: archivable high-resolution mesh, 8K texture, full photogrammetric metadata, Lambert-93 georeferencing. Compatible with classification or supplementary inscription applications.
Light conditions required?
Homogeneous diffuse light mandatory (hard shadows = texture artifacts). Ideal: overcast sky or half-shadow light. On a site exposed to direct sun, shoot at the start or end of day to avoid harsh contrasts.
Can you photogrammetrize a mobile object (statue to exhibit)?
Yes. Statue placed on a turntable with uniform background (white or chroma green). Multiple shooting heights (3 to 5 levels). Plan 200 to 500 photos for a 50 cm to 1.5 m statue. Studio acquisition: 2 to 4 hours.
Start a photogrammetry project? Quote in 48 h.
Mobilization within 5 working days. Contractual delivery in 15 days.