3D MODEL GENERATION AND VISUALIZATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE 
N. Yastikh, 0. Emem, Z. Alki? 
Yildiz Technical University, Civil Engineering Faculty, Division of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 
TR-80750 Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey 
ynaci@yildiz.edu.tr, oemem@yildiz.edu.tr, zubeyde@yildiz.edu.tr, 
KEY WORDS: Architectural, Cultural Heritage, Conversation, Digital, Close Range, Photogrammetry, Photogrammetric Record, 
and Documentation 
ABSTRACT: 
This paper describes a study, which aims to generate and to visualize the 3D models of an historical building and surrounding place. 
For this, the data set of the Fatih Mosque documentation project, which achieved by using digital close range photogrammetry, has 
been used. In addition, differential rectified images of Fatih Mosque facades have been generated. 2.5D digital photogrammetric 
map and 1:5000 scaled orthoimage of the Fatih Mosque and surrounding place were used for 3D modelling and visualization. The 
data set of the Fatih Mosque from digital close range photogrammetry and 2.5D digital photogrammetric map and orthoimage of the 
Fatih Mosque and surrounding place from Aerial photogrammetry were combined to acquire 3D true information. Finally a precise 
and an accurate 3D model of Fatih Mosque was generated. 
1. INTRODUCTION 
The three dimensional computer graphics and visualization 
techniques have been used for wide range of applications such 
as manufacturing, industrial design, urban design and analysis, 
architecture, cultural heritage, 3D city modeling and GIS. The 
use of three dimensional computer graphics and visualization 
techniques is becoming more and more popular, because these 
techniques visualize more realistic object models than graphic 
based object models. However, in most application of 3D 
modelling and visualization, large and complex 3D models data 
are required (El Hakim S., at ah, 1998). The process of creating 
3D models of objects from real scenes has well-known steps; 
data acquisition, processing, registration, modelling and 
rendering. (El-Hakim S., 1998, El-Hakim S. 2000). 
Aerial photogrammetry and close range photogrammetry 
projects, involve similar process steps to that of 3D model 
generation and visualization. These steps can be characterised 
as: acquisition of image, determination of interior and exterior 
orientation parameters of images (local registration) and manual 
or automatic extraction of geometric features of interest stages, 
(modelling) (Chapman D., at al, 1998). Because of these 
parallel stages, it is no surprise that photogrammetrists become 
interested in 3D modelling and visualization of object. 
Photogrammetry and digital image processing techniques play 
important role to make 3D modelling and visualization 
technology practical and cost effective. 
Documentation of cultural heritage is one of the main 
operations of cultural heritage conversation and restoration. 
Digital close range photogrammetry successfully used for 
documentation project of cultural heritage. The products of 
digital close range photogrammetry are 3D vector data, rectified 
digital images and ortho images of historical monument. These 
products can be used for 3D model generation and visualization 
of cultural heritage. 3D models of cultural heritage help us to 
better understanding of object, even if they are not accessible 
for us. 3D models of cultural heritage can be used for 
comparing the actual situation with the future situation after 
restoration. 
In this study, operational steps of 3D model generation and 
visualization of Fatih Mosque are presented. First, methodology 
for 3D model generation and visualization is defined. Then, 
details of this methodology for 3D model generation and 
visualization is explained. 
2. METHODOLOGY 
Our approach for 3D model generation and visualization of 
Fatih Mosque consists of following steps: 
■ image acquisition 
■ determination interior and exterior orientation 
parameters of images 
■ 3D modelling of object and surrounding 
■ visualization of 3D model (rendering). 
First, two steps of our approach are including close range 
photogrammetric works. Brief information about these works is 
presented following section. Detailed information about close 
range photogrammetric works can be found on Yastikli at al, 
(2003). 
3. CLOSE RANGE PHOTOGRAMMETRIC WORKS 
The stereo photographs of Fatih Mosque facades were taken in 
normal case and parallel-averted case with semi-metric 
Rolleiflex 6008 of Department of Photogrametry and Remote 
Sensing, Yildiz Technical University. 
For stereo model restitution, the coordinates of signalised points 
and natural points were measured. For stereo model generation 
and stereo plotting digital photogrammetric workstation of 
Department of Photogrametry and Remote Sensing, Yildiz 
Technical University have been used. Detailed 3D vector 
plotting of facades were achieved manually by experienced