POSER: an oPen sOurce Simulation platform for tEaching and tRaining underwater photogrammetry

Abstract

Underwater photogrammetry presents unique challenges due to the optical properties of water that, if not correctly taken into account, might affect the quality of the survey and the related 2D and 3D products. It is recognized nowadays the importance to train newcomers to underwater surveying, and extend and consolidate the knowledge of best practices for underwater data acquisition. Starting from this consideration, we propose the development of POSER, a 3D simulation framework designed to facilitate the teaching of underwater imaging principles. The project, an ISPRS Educational and Capacity Building Initiative, is built upon the open-source platform Blender, incorporating realistic modelling of the physical properties of water, including light refraction, scattering, and absorption phenomena, to simulate underwater surveying conditions. We foster a learning-by-doing approach, providing users with ready-to-use application scenarios inspired by real-life case studies. They will cover a range of application fields, from marine ecology to archaeology and subsea metrology, and allow users to address the complexities of underwater surveying practices. This paper introduces POSER to the community, presenting its educational vocation and describing its constituent components.