Laser scanning
in Kizhi Island
On 2nd of July we left Pikisaari. Half the day we drove towards the Russian border. From Värtsilä we continued across the border and in the evening we arrived in Petrozavodsk. In the evening we independently got familiar with the city. We stayed at the hotel near the place where the hydrofoil transport to Kizhi Island would leave in the morning.
On Monday morning we met our interpreter at the port where we bought our tickets and headed for Kizhi Island. On the island we were given a briefing on the island’s rules and we got passes. After this we were transported by motorboats to our campsite in Yersenevo village near Kizhi Island.
On Tuesday afternoon, the program included a visit to the nearby village of Kurguenitsy. Some of the village buildings were in poor condition and there were residents during the summer only. We went through the village structure and history with two professors from the Petrozavodsk University.
The weather was grim and humid, and there was an incredible amount of mosquitoes!
On Wednesday, events were held on Kizhi Island in co-operation with World Environment Day. There were several stands related nature, animals and recycling, for example. We also walked to the northern end of the island where we could visit the chapel. We also climbed to the tower of the chapel which had wonderful views to the island and the Lake Onega.
On Thursday we returned to Kurguenitsy village. This time, the magnificent sunny weather made sure the mosquitoes were no longer bothering us. We were tasked to draw a map of the village in groups.
We received compasses and an introduction to how to take directional angles as well as sufficient steps to map the main buildings of the village. It was a nice task to learn new things and get nice guidance on how such mapping has been done before modern measuring devices. In the evening finished our maps.
On Friday we had a lecture on Kizhi Island in the house of Vichuri in Yamka village. In theory, we went through laser scanning and 3D modeling in general. The lecture was really interesting; things were only slightly familiar to me. However, a good lecturer, as well as the material and clear interpretation in English, made it possible to learn a great deal from the lecture.
On Saturday we were transported to Kizhi Island again where we assisted and participated in the practice of laser scanning of the winter church. The equipment was used by a person who did this for living and he, too, was able to guide us well. The basic principles of laser scanning became clear at this time as well, but of course we just scratched the surface. Bowling was done from multiple directions, but not around the entire building. There were nesting gulls on the other side of the church, which were quite upset so we didn’t want to disturb their nesting. However, we saw how the focal points were put in place and learned to keep pace with the scanner, moving away from the spots where the point cloud was transmitted. We also took a quick look at the odometer.
On Sunday, we left our inn and headed to Kizhi Island and house of Vichur, where we moved the laser scanning materials to computers. For this we used a program called ScanIMAGER. First, we were advised how laser point clouds from different directions were merged using constellation points to form a coherent 3D model. By following the instructions, we were shown the exact 3D model of the winter church we had scanned the previous day. After that we were given the task of taking a picture of a wooden cross with our phone cameras. These photos were added to the same program and in this way a 3D model was created. This exercise highlighted the fact that you don’t always need to have a laser scanner in place if you want to do some 3D modeling. On Sunday afternoon we set off on a hydrofoil towards Petrozavodsk and the trip started to come to an end. We stayed at the hotel again and on Monday morning we headed home.
Altogether, the trip was really rewarding. It was great to visit Karelia for the first time and see these magnificent churches and chapels on the island of Kizhi. However, it was just as nice to see the Kurguenitsy village with its collapsed buildings and hear about its history. The buildings are different than in Finland.
I was really happy that the lectures and practical assignments were of such high quality and yet clear to myself, even though I had never had access to such measuring devices and laser scanners before.
Text:
Jenna Tossavainen
Photos:
Silja Huhta
Miika Ivola
Tuukka Haavisto
