Improving the workflows for airfix design by photogrammetry scanning

Airfix, the plastic model kits manufacturer, uses 3D mesh derived from terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) as the kit design reference, which is accurate but not detailed enough, and expensive. With a lower price, photogrammetry can produce 3D mesh on a finer level due to the high resolution, using the Structure from Motion (SfM) algorithm. This research aims to figure out if photogrammetry can contribute to the traditional Airfix kit design workflow, in terms of the level of detail and cost, by performing the two methods on the Folland Gnat, an aircraft, and comparing the results. Quantitative and Qualitative analysis are performed, and a user-oriented survey consists of a questionnaire and interviews are also carried out. Photogrammetry proves to have a more detailed reconstruction in particular parts including cockpit and tires, which is recognized as more helpful and timesaving to the workflow than TLS. However, photogrammetry mesh has a bad performance on the overall external structure, with missing holes on the wings due to not enough patterns that prevent SfM to match key points from different photos. As a result, photogrammetry cannot replace TLS in the Airfix workflow. However, based on the survey, photogrammetry is highly welcomed to act as a supplement, to help the internal detail model design. It is suggested to combine two methods, using photogrammetry to capture detailed data from hard-to-reach positions and acquiring the overall shape by TLS, which will add some cost, but a more detailed and accurate reference can be given in the workflow.