Where We're Going
The future of 3D archiving is hard to say for certain, but as technology gets more and more advanced the processes will get easier, cheaper, and more elaborate. The next step that everyone is taking is making these 3D objects into explorable 3D environments. Digital libraries can know use laser scanners combined with virtual reality to re-create whole buildings. They can then house the digital collections of objects relating to those buildings within the recreation.
The best and most current example of this is the Bethel project from our very own IUPUI. The project is titled "Virtual Bethel: Underrepresented History and Primary Source Education through Virtual Reality." Bethel church is the oldest African American church in Indianapolis. Unfortunately the church is getting sold, but that doesn't mean the memories are gone. Library Science students teamed up with Media Arts students to re-create Bethel church. A team of people are digitizing items from the church and the whole building. The items will be placed within the virtual reality landscape and users can explore the environment with a headset and two joysticks. "When complete the VR experience will be accessible to the public, the team says it’s their hope for that it’s used as an educational tool throughout the city." (Mcgill, 2017)
Watch a great video on the project here
This is definitely the next step in 3D scanning, after that who knows where the future will take us.
The best and most current example of this is the Bethel project from our very own IUPUI. The project is titled "Virtual Bethel: Underrepresented History and Primary Source Education through Virtual Reality." Bethel church is the oldest African American church in Indianapolis. Unfortunately the church is getting sold, but that doesn't mean the memories are gone. Library Science students teamed up with Media Arts students to re-create Bethel church. A team of people are digitizing items from the church and the whole building. The items will be placed within the virtual reality landscape and users can explore the environment with a headset and two joysticks. "When complete the VR experience will be accessible to the public, the team says it’s their hope for that it’s used as an educational tool throughout the city." (Mcgill, 2017)
Watch a great video on the project here
This is definitely the next step in 3D scanning, after that who knows where the future will take us.