UK: Channel 4’s flagship programme Time Team, which has been uncovering the archaeological mysteries of the British Isles since 1994, now used 3D laser scanning technology to create high definition flythough animations.
A survey team from Digital Surveys captured hundreds of millions of millimetre accurate measurements to map the development of advanced fortifications around Mont Orgueil Castle in Jersey. Processed using Pointools software, the survey team was able to create a series of high impact 3D images complete with advanced lighting effects which featured in the final broadcast.
“Initially the producers thought the 3D laser scanner would only be used to record measurements to help the team make decisions, explain their discoveries and support any conclusions they may come to,” said Ben Bennett, Director of Digital Surveys. “That’s because they had already employed their own 3D modeller to recreate the castle. However, after viewing the point cloud model captured during the first day’s survey work, the team agreed that its visual quality and clarity was far superior to the manual modelling efforts. As a result, the visualisations and animations created using Pointools software were used instead, greatly enhancing the show’s visual appeal.”
Source: Pointools
