Photogrammetry Box for Nasher Museum

For this project, the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University required a device capable of capturing 360° photographs of artifacts in order to generate 3D models for sharing with partner institutions worldwide. A primary design requirement was the ability to capture both polarized and unpolarized light images to support advanced rendering techniques. The team developed a collapsible light box with magnetic connections for ease of transport and storage. A motorized turntable was integrated into the base to allow for consistent incremental rotation of artifacts during image capture. A camera port was incorporated into the housing to ensure proper alignment and repeatability of photographs. The illumination system consisted of LED strips arranged around the interior, with alternating sets of polarized and unpolarized LEDs. These were programmed to strobe in synchronization with the turntable rotation, enabling the acquisition of both polarized and unpolarized image sets at identical orientations. The completed system successfully produced high-quality photo sequences that were processed into accurate 3D renders of museum artifacts.