Investigation into the use of action cameras in the documentation of architectural details - the case study of a baroque chamber

Abstract

In this paper the possibility of using the Xiaomi 4K action cameras as a low-cost sensor for the generation of high resolution documentation of architecture and architectural elements in the field of Cultural Heritage was analysed. For that purpose a series of images was acquired together with tachometric measurements to determine the ground control points. Additionally TLS data was collected, which was treated as a reference. For the purpose of point cloud generation the Structure-from-motion (SfM) and MultiView Stereo (MVS) approaches were used. The following parameters of the collected data and the resulting documentation were tested: the interior orientation parameters analysis, quality of the Xiaomi built-in Lenses Distortion Correction; the accuracy of the orientation on ground control and check points, the point cloud density; the flatness of the walls; the discrepancies between point clouds derived from the low-cost cameras and TLS data, shape of the architectural details based on cross-section analysis. After the analysis of the obtained results it can be concluded that the Xiaomi 4K low-cost sensors are well suited for the purpose of documentation of architecture and architectural details. All the data for the presented investigation were acquired at the baroque residence of the Bieliński Palace in Otwock Wielki in Poland.