Current Collections of 3D
There are many different institutions using 3D scans to enhance their digital collections. Below are a few of the ones paving the way for the practice of 3D collections:
Smithsonian Museum In 2013 the Smithsonian began to digitize their 3D objects. They scanned and cleaned up everything from the Wright Brothers first flyer to whale bones. Their 3D specialists then placed everything up on their digital collection. They started Smithsonian X 3D which is a browser based 3D viewer that allows people to see the objects in full view and rotate/scale them as they please. Most objects can also be downloaded so that users can 3D print any objects they would like to have.
The 3D digitization team doesn't just help patrons see the objects, they've also helped researchers discover information about fossils. At an underwater dig site for marine fossils the 3D team used a series of lasers to capture the data for models. An unexpected discovery happened though, "capturing this information helped scientists determine that a harmful algae bloom, which still impacts marine animals today like the Florida manatee, was likely responsible for these mass death events taking place between some 10,000 and 16,000 years ago." (Blitz, 2017) All of their research, 3D visualizations, and discoveries were then available in the digital collection online for anyone to see and use. Their digital archives are one of the most thorough and cutting edge online at the moment. University of Colorado Digital Library The University of Colorado's digital library is "a collaborative project between the three campuses that make up the University of Colorado System (Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver)" (UC website) and the Boulder branch is doing some great work with 3D collections.
They digitized "one hundred archaeology & paleontology specimens from the Rocky Mountain & Southwest regions." Each file is available in 3D, 3D printable, and video formats. Their browser viewer is not up to the standard of the Smithsonian, but their objects are realistic and it's fascinating to see how they're preserving natural objects that would be lost to time otherwise. It is a great example of the benefits of 3D to cultural heritage. |
British Library In 2016 the British Library joined the 3D collection craze by beginning to digitize their copious collections. "Some collection items such as manuscript chests cannot be called up by readers from the Library’s basement – they are too heavy and too fragile." (British Library, 2016) So scanning and placing them online is a great way to ensure that patrons can see items they might not otherwise be able to see.
"The imaging process began with taking photographs of each item from different angles, with sufficient overlap." (British Library, 2016) Objects are placed on a foam stand and stabilized, they are then rotated on a turntable to ensure all angles are seen. After that they are cleaned up digitally and placed online. They will continue digitizing and hope to have most of their collection up online at some point. The objects aren't downloadable but they can be viewed in Sketchfab and rotated/scaled. Details are preserved and the objects appear nearly lifelike. Stanford University In 2016 Stanford partnered with anthropology professors to begin digitizing objects in 3D. A series of bones and masks were stabilized and then captured "using photogrammetry and structured light scanning" (Engel, 2017) The models are available on Sketchfab and are available for download to be printed by users.
Stanford's anthropology professor Seetah then began using these models alongside the physical objects for his classes. He stated that "Not only do the models support an open and collaborative inquiry but the 'virtualization' of the material expands the learning beyond the classroom, allowing students to engage with the teaching materials and class content in a way much more similar to the actual work done in the field." This is particularly true for digital users since they are unable to access the physical objects. Despite this they can still learn via the virtual object. The 3D digitization team is going to continue adding to and expanding their collections to include more 3D in the future because of this success. |