Currituck Beach Lighthouse (11 February 2016)

3D Model

This was one of our first experiments with acquisition of photos from a drone, and merging aerial photos with ground-based photos.

391 aligned photos from drone’s DJI FC350 camera (photos from J. McCord) 94 aligned ground photos from Nikon D300 (photos by N. Richards).

To begin with we could not get the FC350 and Nikon photos to align together (partially because of poor ground coverage, but also because of the significant number of trees), so I went through both datasets and found common reference points between the two cameras. This allowed for better textures overall, but also allowed us to create a better view of the landscape where the keeper’s cottage (W), office (S), and lighthouse (E) were in association with one another. Other buildings either modeled poorly (see shop, N) or not at all.

Lessons learned: more photos needed, geotaggers for ground shots, coded targets would assist.

Thanks to Meghan Agresto and Outer Banks Conservationists for allowing us to have access to the light station.