It’s not that equipment heavy, believe it or not. The main thing is the processing software, NDRAP are using Topcon PI-3000, which I believe costs a good few £k.

Basically, all you need is 2-3 scale bars (1 a triangle to measure depth), digital camera & a calibration prog that links the camera settings to the software.

For the project the camera calib is set at a focal length 1 – 1.5meters away from the target. You take 2 photos 50cm apart L-R to create a stereo pair, this should be done with the scales bars / triangle in shot. Ideally, the stone should have diffused light, as direct sun causes havoc with the shadows….. that’s about it on site. .

Back at the lab, you upload the stereo pair into software & plot the same points on each of the stereo pairs, you input measurements for the scale bars & triangle, draw in the shape you want 3D-ing & press go. It takes me about 20-30mins to process a 1m square carving, but this alter depending on CPU speed.

It’s a pity we didn’t have time at RAM, would’ve loved to have shown this in full flow.