Student perceptions of photogrammetric 3D cardiac models generated by use of a smartphone and high-resolution camera

Morgan Titmus ¹, Paul Ellery ¹, Gary Whittaker ¹

⁰Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Kent St Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.

Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine +

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December 2, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Digital anatomy models created with smartphones are usable but less visually detailed than those made with high-resolution cameras. This study compared photogrammetric models of a porcine heart, finding smartphone models acceptable but inferior in color, texture, and internal structure clarity.

Area Of Science

Anatomical education
Digital imaging
Photogrammetry

Background

Digital anatomy specimens are increasingly used in education.
Student perceptions of digital model usability and fidelity require further evaluation.

Purpose Of The Study

To evaluate the usability and visual fidelity of digital anatomy models created using photogrammetry.
To compare models generated by a high-resolution digital camera (hrDC) and a smartphone camera.

Main Methods

Photogrammetric models of a porcine heart were created using both hrDC and smartphone cameras.
Student evaluations (n=52) were conducted using Likert-type questionnaires to assess usability and visual fidelity.

Main Results

Both hrDC and smartphone photogrammetry produced highly usable models (median usability agreement = 5/5).
Smartphone-based models showed significantly inferior visual fidelity in color, texture, and clarity of internal structures compared to hrDC models.
Specific anatomical features like the pulmonary valve and papillary muscle were less identifiable on smartphone models.

Conclusions

Usable digital anatomical models can be generated using smartphone photogrammetry.
High-resolution digital cameras yield superior fidelity digital anatomy models compared to smartphones.

Keywords:

Anatomical modelling fidelity photogrammetry student perception