Level of detail (LoD) geometric analysis of relief mapping employing 3D modeling via UAV images in cultural heritage studies

Abstract Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are often preferred for modeling cultural heritage buildings due to their costs and time savings. The need for data collection, analysis, processing, and visual presentation in the context of cultural heritage buildings has become prominent, underscoring the significance of the concept of Level of Detail (LoD). The utilization of CityGML LoD standards enhances the performance of visual presentations, decreases the geometric complexity of objects, and enables users to view the model at the desired level of detail within a computerized environment. Within the scope of this study, it is aimed to determine the accuracy analysis of the 3D model for a cultural building, which is named Hekimbaşı Hunting Lodge, at different LoDs. Drawings were created at LoD 0-1-2-3 levels with 418 photographs taken by the UAV photogrammetry method. Additionally, conservative and UAV measures of facade detail at the same LoD were compared in terms of accuracy. As a result, RMSE values for X, Y, and Z axes at LoD3 standard were calculated as 1.394 cm, 0.861 cm, and 0.694 cm, respectively. It has been concluded that the high-accuracy LoD models for the cultural building could be produced using the UAV photogrammetry method at the desired accuracy.