The FI TCH Research Infrastructure “Digital Heritage”
FI TCH is greatly strengthening Heidelberg University's digital heritage department with the acquisition of high-quality equipment: from hand-held grazing light scanners to airborne laser scanners, a wide range of options is now available for 3D digitisation of a wide variety of sites and objects.
The equipment purchased since 2020 is state-of-the-art and enables comprehensive 3D scans of objects ranging in size from 2 mm to 20 km (cultural) landscapes. Drones for 3D scans, film and photo shoots, mobile and terrestrial scanners, digital surveying systems and the corresponding accessories are available at FI TCH and can be borrowed by interested scientists at Heidelberg University for research and teaching purposes. The equipment continues to be used regularly in various FI TCH-funded projects.
A reproduction system for creating colour-fast photographic reproductions of (large-format) two- and three-dimensional originals, e.g. from collections, and a small 3D printer are currently being purchased and will also be available on this website.
Please note that you may be required to complete courses on how to use the equipment and/or that a FI TCH assistant experienced in using the equipment will accompany you during the loan period.
The devices in detail (work in progress)
Faro Focus S 150 – Terrestrial 3D laser scanner
The laser scanner is suitable for digitising architecture and other large-scale objects in the form of point clouds. The scanner operates on a tripod and uses a rotating laser to capture all surfaces horizontally at a 360° angle and vertically at a 288° angle. A camera built into the device provides RGB colour values for each measured point, enabling the creation of coloured point clouds. The scanner is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and can also be used in difficult climatic conditions.
Leica BLK2G – Handheld 3D laser scanner
The device is primarily suitable for quickly capturing architecture and large structures by walking around them with the scanner in your hand. The scanner operates using the SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) method. A camera built into the device provides RGB colour values for each measured point, enabling the creation of coloured point clouds. The device is compact and easy to use.
Artec Leo - Handheld 3D stripe light scanner
The Artec Leo is a wireless, AI-powered 3D scanner that allows you to capture, process and display 3D scans in real time. It has a reconstruction rate of up to 80 frames per second (FPS) with an accuracy of up to 0.2 mm in HD mode. The scanner is ideal for digitising objects ranging in size from a shoebox to a statue and also delivers colour models.
DJI Matrice 350 RTK – drone for airborne laser scanning
The drone, equipped with a LiDAR sensor (Zenmuse L1), enables 3D capture of larger areas and architectures, including entire (cultural) landscapes. The drone is equipped with an efficient battery system and can fly for up to 55 minutes at a time. The control software enables automated flight over the area to be surveyed. A camera built into the device provides RGB colour values for each measured point and enables the creation of coloured point clouds.
DJI Inspire 2 – drone for photogrammetry
The drone is equipped with a high-resolution camera (4k, Zenmuse X5S) and allows cinema-quality film and photo recordings, but its ideal area of application is photogrammetry of larger areas and architectures, right up to entire landscapes. The recorded images and films can be further processed with all common programmes.
