- 100 - 
3.4 Consolidation of cloud points 
Consolidation of the cloud of points obtained by the laser scan 
from different viewpoints is also relatively immediate (provided 
the sphere targets are used). A cloud of points model rendered 
the temple immediately identifiable. Once consolidated how 
ever, an interesting issue arose at the meshing stage. The addi 
tional points produced at the juncture where scans overlap need 
to be removed through the spatial filtering command 13 other 
wise homogeneity will not be obtained. Indeed, if a 2mm grid 
resolution is required, then such a grid has to be chosen at the 
outset. 
practical issues prohibit satisfactory coverage. This occurs when 
‘Automatic Computation of a mesh’ is used to triangulate a 
complete cloud of points. However, this method is only really 
effective when the cloud of points is sufficiently dense and ho 
mogenous (See Fig. 8). In the meshing triangulation by projec 
tion method, no holes are created because all the available 
points are computed in the mesh. This seems to result in an 
advantage However if a hole exists in reality, it will be filled up 
also. It often occurs that it is very difficult to decipher the filled 
holes from those holes which exist in reality. 
3.6 Problems with texture mapping 
3.5 (At least) Two ways of meshing laser scan data. 
The 3D Ipsos software has two methods of meshing available to 
the user: automatic or by projection. The use of a mesh to sur 
face the scan data may result in small holes where data has not 
been captured, for example where reflectance is low or where 
When it came to texture mapping, certain problems were evi 
dent. The integrated camera of the Mensi Soisic LG scanner has 
a relatively low resolution since its primary function at design 
stage was evidently merely that of an aiming device as opposed 
to a recording mechanism. The SOISIC LG scanner has to be 
used in low light, almost darkness, while the camera requires 
Fig. 7 Overlapping of points from different scans produces relief to right of tomb 
13 available in both the 3DIPSOS and DIAP TIN software