Articles by Hugues Plisson

3D recording and viewing are about to become a common function in consumer electronic equip-ment, while 3D modeling is still seldom used in archaeological research, even in sectors where it could bring a concrete improvement such as in use wear studies. A new type of expensive microscope has been proposed to laboratories for making 3D models from direct macroscopic and microscopic observation: the digital microscope. Claimed to cover a wide magnification range up to many thousands of times, it involves software and hardware solutions which are now available at low cost for updating our current equipment. Since digital technology is progressing very quickly, it is disputable to spend large amounts of money in closed instruments, which are quickly outdated, when cheap alternative modular solutions can fill the same need. These solutions are based on two complementary principles whose effectiveness depends on the magnification scale: photogrammetry and image stacking. Photogrammetry requires only photographic skill for the acquisition and appropriate software or on line services for modeling, while image stacking, beyond real size (1:1), involves additional accessories for recording and software in both steps. By combin¬ing photographic and microscope lenses it is possible to get a light and flexible combo for microscopic recording in the field, not only in 2D but also in 3D, when connected to a laptop or a smartphone. This paper reviews the affordable software and hardware solutions available at the end of 2012.