Agisoft Metashape for Cultural Heritage

Standard is suitable for core image-based 3D reconstruction, mesh generation, texturing and common model exports. Choose Professional when the project requires scale bars, coded or non-coded targets, measurements, georeferencing, planar or cylindrical orthomosaics, laser-scan support, scripting or network processing. Select the edition from the required evidence and outputs rather than from the subject category alone.

Yes. Close-range cultural heritage projects commonly use DSLR or mirrorless cameras, controlled lighting, tripods and turntables. Drones are relevant mainly when safe and authorized access is needed around roofs, monuments, excavations or larger sites. The camera path must provide sharp images, sufficient overlap and meaningful viewpoint change around the subject.

These surfaces are difficult because photogrammetry requires stable visible features across overlapping images. Use diffuse controlled lighting, avoid changing reflections and consider cross-polarization or a temporary surface treatment only when the object’s conservator explicitly approves the method. Never apply powders, sprays, markers or adhesives to a heritage object without authorization.

In Metashape Professional, verified distances can be assigned through scale bars between carefully placed markers. Larger sites may use surveyed control points or referenced camera positions. Use multiple independent distances or checkpoints where possible and document the measurement equipment, units, uncertainty and placement instead of relying on one unverified dimension.

The photographic measurement itself is image-based, but the complete setup may involve moving an object, adding supports, positioning scale bars, changing lighting or operating equipment nearby. Treat handling and access as conservation decisions. Agree the method with the collection manager, conservator or site authority before capture.

Metashape Professional supports laser-scan workflows and, in current 2.3.x versions, can align photographs with suitably structured terrestrial laser scans. An E57 extension alone does not guarantee the required structure: verify scanner stations, origins, registration, coordinate reference and retained depth information before planning a hybrid workflow.

They can support comparison when capture geometry, scale, reference, lighting, processing and validation are sufficiently repeatable. Differences between two surfaces or textures are not automatically proof of material change; they may also reflect coverage, alignment, reconstruction, illumination or export differences. Define detection thresholds and validation evidence before monitoring begins.

No. Educational pricing is linked to qualifying accredited educational institutions and eligible students or staff, with non-commercial-use restrictions. A museum, charity, heritage organization or independent research institute is not automatically eligible because it conducts education or research. If the organization is part of an accredited university, eligibility should be assessed through that institution.