1. More than hype – understanding
heritage in 3D
Nick Poole, CEO, Collections Trust
February 2015

3. We’ve been here before…

5. Fig. 3. Masolino ‘St. Peter Healing a Cripple and the Raising of Tabitha’ (1425)

6. So why now…?

8. © www.smackagency.com/museums

9. Virtual reconstruction of Gawthorpe Hall
http://www.heritagetechnology.co.uk/hist3d

10. Visualising hillfort sites using a digital elevation model
http://www.viamagna3d.eu.sk/digitalisation-of-hillforts/

11. Visualisation of Stonehenge World Heritage Site using LIDAR data from the Environment Agency
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/stonehenge/explore-stonehenge-landscape-lidar-survey

12. 3D reconstruction & flythrough of a Metal Mine at Port Ceunant, part of a series by RCAHMW
https://www.youtube.com/user/RCAHMWales

13. Applicable
Innovative

14. Applicable
Irrelevant
Innovative

15. Applicable
Irrelevant Useless
Innovative

16. Applicable
Useful
Irrelevant Useless
Innovative

17. Applicable
Useful Essential!
Irrelevant Useless
Innovative

18. ‘3D’ technologies

20. Tactile applications
• The combination of 3D printing, tactile objects and technology is opening up
new approaches to audience engagement, bridging the physical and virtual.

21. Haptics at Manchester Museum
• 3D scans of collections items
• Combined with AV and interpretive material
• Explored in-gallery using the ‘Probos’ haptic interface
• Supporting the needs of blind and visually-impaired users

22. The ‘Probos’ haptic interface from Touch and Discover Systems
http://www.touch-and-discover-systems.co.uk/

23. Exploring the Ara Pacis
• 3D rendered model of the Ara Pacis in Rome
• 3D printed reconstruction of the building
• Using embedded circuitry to make the model interactive
• The gestures of the user on the model enable onscreen exploration
• A more natural interface

26. Exploring the Ara Pacis with touch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQbdn2NVlls/

27. Immersive experiences
• Gesture-based and motion-controlled interfaces enable audiences to
interact with virtual environments in a more natural way, creating richer,
more immersive experiences.

28. 3D model and interactive film of the Sistine Chapel
http://vatican.com/tour/sistine_chapel_3D/web

29. Virtual reconstruction of historical Paris
http://www.liveforfilms.com

30. Building the British Museum in Minecraft
http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/museumcraft.aspx

31. Creative applications
• The increasing simplicity and natural interactivity of 3D interfaces
provides new tools for creativity and discovery.

34. Research & understanding
• Very high-resolution 3D models and scans provide a rich resource to
support scientific research and improved understanding of heritage
landscapes, sites and collections.

37. Access
• The tactile and reproducible nature of 3D printed objects makes them
useful to extend accessibility for people with different needs and abilities.

40. Heritage Management
• 3D scanning and reproduction open up new approaches and
methodologies for conservation and collections management.

41. High resolution scanning for conservation
• Well-established practice of very high-resolution white light scanning
• Helps to understand technique and materials
• Informs decisions about conservation treatments
• Helps with security, provenance etc

43. http://www.whiteboardmag.com/3d-scan-van-gogh-perfect-replica-formart/

44. 3D location control
• Use of Collections Management Systems for location & movement
• Dynamically populates 3D model of galleries
• Provides up-to-date information for the public
• Avoids duplication of effort
• Eg. Zetcom’s ‘eMuseumPlus’ virtual tours module

45. Prototyping displays & interactives

46. Commercial opportunities
• 3D scanning and reproduction open up new commercial opportunities for
heritage attractions, venues and sites.

47. Feathercast & Fitzwilliam@home
• Developing high-quality reproductions of key collections items
• Aligning retail offer to public/exhibition programming
• Rich 3D scans by Inition support a variety of activities
• Retail at £50 per item
• Estimated to breakeven (all costs) within 18 months

48. Feathercast & Fitzwilliam@home

52. Jersey Heritage Trust Pocket Museum
• Augmented Reality app featuring 3D models of items from the collections
• AR functionality triggered by the Jersey Heritage Trust Membership Card
• Providing added value for membership through 3D interactivity
• Extending the visitor experience
• Grown from 1000 to 10,000 members

53. Jersey Heritage Trust Pocket Museum

54. Jersey Heritage Trust Pocket Museum

55. Oxford Museum of Natural History
• Collaboration with commercial partner (Crawley Creatures)
• Developed a 3D-printed dinosaur puzzle
• Available for retail
• Used in educational tours and interactives
• Rapid prototyping

56. Oxford Museum of Natural History

57. Challenges
• Integrating 3D technologies and approaches into your existing strategy
• Choosing the right formats, platforms and interfaces for the job
• Digital preservation (and ensuring that content is updated and added to)
• Digital rights in 3D materials
• Documenting and managing 3D assets as part of the collection
• Avoiding ‘because it’s there’…

58. Users Funders Politicians
Organisational Mission
Collecting Policy
UseDevelopLearnCare
InformationProceduresSystemsPeople
Evaluation & improvement
Rich online and offline experiences for users

59. Conclusions
• We’re beyond ‘hype’ and into the everyday application of different 3D
technologies and methods, depending on our aims
• As with any technology, the focus should always be the message and the
audience, not the medium
• The financial and technical barriers to entry are coming down all the time
• 3D technologies provide an opportunity to enrich both our management of
heritage collections & landscapes and the visitor experience

60. Keep in touch
• Collections Management LinkedIn community (8,200 members)
• Fortnightly email newsletter (sign up at www.collectionstrust.org.uk)
• www.twitter.com/collectiontrust
• www.facebook.com/collectionstrust
• www.slideshare.net/collectionstrust
• www.collectionstrust.org.uk/consultancy