Session 3. 3D imaging and printing: documenting and reproducing cultural heritage artefacts

Date: Thursday, October 18, 2018, 16h00 (UK time)

Session coordinators: Gabriel Bodard, Valeria Vitale (University of London)

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/6BJ6aUnTivc

Slides: https://goo.gl/GQoYsC

Summary

This class will introduce 3D imaging, i.e. the process of creating three dimensional digital copies of existing objects; and will discuss the relationship of such models with the original pieces of cultural heritage. After presenting briefly the available technologies, we will focus on photogrammetry, and on how to create low cost 3D scans of objects processing a series of photographs. We will also introduce some of the technical background to 3D printing for cultural heritage, including the research value of designing and printing 3D objects, some pedagogical possibilities for handling 3D objects (especially when originals are not available).

Outline

• Introduction to 3D imaging for Cultural Heritage
• Examples of applications of 3D imaging in study, conservation and promotion of cultural heritage
• Introduction to 3D printing for Cultural Heritage
• Examples of applications of 3D printing in teaching and research
• Tutorial: photogrammetry with Agisoft Photoscan

Required readings

• Bonacchi, C. et al. (2014). "Crowd-sourced Archaeological Research: The MicroPasts Project." Archaeology International 17, pp. 61–68. Available: http://doi.org/10.5334/ai.1705

• Mona Hess & Stuart Robson, 2013. “Re-engineering Watt: a case study and best practice recommendations for 3D colour laser scans and 3D printing in museum artefact documentation.” Archetype Publications. Available: http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1411525/1/23-Lacona-IX-Hess.pdf

Further reading

• Tarte, S M. 2016. "Of Features and Models: A Reflexive Account of Interdisciplinarity across Image Processing, Papyrology, and Trauma Surgery." In: Bodard, G & Romanello, M (eds.) Digital Classics Outside the Echo-Chamber: Teaching, Knowledge Exchange & Public Engagement, Pp. 103–120. London: Ubiquity Press. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/bat.g
• Wulff, R., Sedlazeck, A., & Koch, R. (2009). "3d reconstruction of archaeological trenches from photographs." In 2nd Scientific Computing and Cultural Heritage workshop (SCCH09), Heidelberg, Germany, November (pp. 16-18). Available: https://www.geomar.de/fileadmin/personal/fb2/mg/ajordt/3d_rec_from_photographs.pdf
• David P. Smith (2016). "Active learning in the lecture theatre using 3D printed objects." F1000Research 2016, 5:61. Available: https://dx.doi.org/10.12688%2Ff1000research.7632.2
• Jentery Sayers, Devon Elliot, et al. (2016). "Between Bits and Atoms: Physical Computing and Desktop Fabrication in the Humanities." In A New Companion to Digital Humanities, ed. Schreibman, Siemens, Unsworth. Available: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781118680605.ch1/pdf
• SPREAD WHAT HAS BEEN DESTROYED: INTERVIEW WITH MOREHSHIN ALLAHYARI. Available http://digicult.it/news/spread-what-has-been-destroyed-interview-with-morehshin-allahyari/

Exercise

Choose an object that meets the requirements explained in the tutorial (i.e. it is not transparent, glossy, repetitive etc...). Take a sufficient number of photos, according to the complexity of the object's shape (minimum 35, preferably more). Request a trial account for Agisoft Photoscan (http://www.agisoft.com), or use any other photogrammetry software of your choice to process the images. Produce a textured 3D model of your target.