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CIPA 2003 XIX th International Symposium, 30 September - 04 October, 2003, Antalya, Turkey 
No further comprehensive surveys were carried out to date, 
however many aerial images of specific areas within Dubai are 
available. 
3. 3D DIGITISATION 
The study attempted to create a 3D model of Bastakia area in 
order to document an interesting spatial setting by testing 
affordable modelling methods and tools that should in principal 
allow the production of an acceptable 3D model. This product 
can be used by students in order to carry out urban analyses and 
develop and evaluate design proposals in this particular area. 
There was no budget available for the purpose of this exercise, 
apart from the interest of the author and students. Before 
embarking on the building of the 3D model there was a need to 
review and examine existing 3D digitisation methods and their 
suitability to the project. 
There are many ways of digitising an object or a building, but 
these generally fall into seven categories: mechanical tracking 
technology, laser scanners, magnetic tracking, ultrasonic 
scanning, Photogrammetry, Interferometry technology, and 
optical 3D scanners. 
3.1 Mechanical Tracking technology 
This uses a mechanical arm that is compact and easy to use. 
This device digitises contours of physical models using 
software such as Inscribe 3.0 to process the data. The 3D 
computer model can then be transferred to a CAD application 
such as 3D Studio Max or AutoCAD for further modelling. This 
device has been used by students at the UAE University to scan 
physical models with relative success due to the fact that the 
captured 3D model needs considerable editing. 
3.2 Laser Scanning 
This is a very quick procedure that scans any physical object. A 
3D dense mesh is produced as a result. This technology has 
some drawbacks since reflective or transparent surfaces are not 
digitised very efficiently. It is also expensive and the processing 
of the scanned data can be time consuming. 
Laser scanning is being increasingly used to capture 3D models 
of real objects and buildings. This technology uses from 
airborne to handheld devices depending on the applications and 
the budget available. 
3.3 Magnetic Tracking 
This technology uses a magnetic field as the signal medium. 
However, this can be influenced by metal or magnetic fields 
that may be present near or in the digitised objects. 
3.4 Ultrasonic Scanning 
This technology uses sound waves to obtain coordinates in 3D 
space. Unfortunately, these scanners are not very accurate and 
can be influenced by atmospheric conditions and sound 
interference. 
For example, the LSC Series incorporates a new ScanView 
scanning device. ScanView Plus combines motion and 
instrument control with data acquisition to provide unsurpassed 
ultrasonic imaging capabilities. Unique ScanView Plus features 
include: drag and drop gating, Scan Wizards for fast-guided 
setups, and configurable templates for organizing scan and 
analysis sequences. Analysis tools include automated 
clustering, point and area measurements, and a variety of image 
enhancement and signal processing utilities. 
3.5 Photogrammetry 
Photogrammetry means “the process by which accurate 
dimensions and 3D CAD-compatible models are extrapolated 
from stereoscopic photographs”. 
A number of photographs of physical models are digitised in 
three-dimensions to obtain a computer surface model that can 
be exported to any CAD application for further analysis. Its 
application is very attractive to architectural conservation, and 
recreation of built environments. 
True Orthophotography is an efficient method to represent 
“photographic information in a 2D reference system”, but its 
application in complex situation involving uneven objects such 
as buildings is problematic. The generation of accurate Digital 
Surface Model - DSM is complex and time consuming and 
requires sophisticated equipments such as laser scanners, in fact 
“the generation of a DSM cannot be automated”. (Boccardo, P., 
2002: 1) Several methods are used in conjunction to produce 
true orthophoto by means of using DSMs. (Amhar, F. et al, 
1996). Simpler approaches have been developed using the 
latest technology in data capture, e.g. laser scanning, in addition 
to the development of software capable of accurately processing 
the data and generating true orthophoto. (Boccardo, P., 2002) 
3.6 3D Camera series: Hi-speed/accuracy non-contact 3D 
measuring machine 
The Handy Handheld Digitiser combines a sophisticated digital 
camera and the proprietary EOIS Moire Interferometry 
technology to create a totally wireless 3D digitiser. It is the only 
high-speed 3D digitiser that can capture data without being 
connected to a computer. The images are stored in a 
sophisticated digital camera, and later sent to a computer for 
final processing. 
The primary EOIS product is the Mini-Moiré sensor. It is based 
on the original EOIS Moiré technology, for high-speed 3D 
XYZ measurement. This technology has a much higher data 
acquisition speed and point density than conventional touch 
probes or laser sensors. 
3.7 DigiScan Optical 3D Digitizers 
Being pushed by the availability of high speed and high 
precision image processing components, optical 3D scanners 
continue to find their places in an increasing number of 
demanding applications. 
The measurement principle is based on a modification of the 
well-known structured light method. In many application fields 
there is a growing need for 3D replica of physical objects that 
cannot be created in traditional CAD. Numerous examples can 
be found in product design and presentation, manufacturing 
automation, and quality control. 
New and attractive applications coming up are in medical and 
anthropometric measurement (scanning human body parts or