This week in DGAH we started work on a 3D modeling project involving artifacts stored in the basement of the Weitz here on campus; our objective was to use the Autodesk Recap Photo app with a series of overlapping photos to create a digital model.
First and foremost: the concept of a 3d model that can be independently observed, inspected and manipulated from its physical counterpart, has limitless potential as an opportunity for educational application. However, the actual process wasn’t nearly as straightforward (or streamlined) as I would’ve liked. This was namely due to licensing issues with Autodesk Recap Photo, where many members of our class ran into roadblocks early on in the process.
Despite Autodesk-related setbacks, I was still very eager to work more with 3D models as I think they can play a very useful role in allowing for audience-artifact interaction, which I personally feel is a great way of connecting people with history. The ability to see an object outside a physical context lets observers discover details that may have been previously invisible; for instance, iconography or other physical attributes on the base of an object. Normally, observers would need a specially-built display case in order to look at the base of, say, a clay pot, for instance. 3D models allow for freedom of observation—without physical constraints.
If there’s one thing that moving from passive observer to active modeler has taught me, it’s that bridging the gap between physical artifact and 3D model is anything but straightforward. The main issue here is that I didn’t have my tools in order; this specifically imbued in me a great respect for those who engage in this activity in a professional capacity. So many moving parts to translate a physical artifact into a digital representation! The dedication it must take to accomplish this on a wider scale—such as the preservation of entire physical environments using similar, albeit larger scale technology—is astounding.
All in all, it was interesting to work with photogrammetry software, the technology is cutting edge and, as mentioned before, limitless in the applications it could allow for in the future. I’m excited to see what we do next!
— A.J.