MAKARS SUMMER SCHOOL VOL.III

Makars course aims to create 3D models from scanning of works of art or archaeological finds.

The fourth day of our course, took place in class, and was entirely devoted to the elaboration of e collected data during the surveys taken at Museo di Storia Naturale e Archeologia di Montebelluna (TV).

First, Professor Giulio Bigliardi from 3D Archeolab introduced all additional features of 3DFlow Zephyr photogrammetry software, which was used in previous days to create a 3D model from simple digital pictures.
However created models do not have a real size since it must be set.
Before starting the surveys of the various finds, the students had inserted reference points, called markers, and measured the distance between them.

These markers appear in the pictures and consequently in 3D models.

Thanks to the software, it is enough to insert these measurements, and our 3D model will be on scale!

It is also possible a 3D model georeference, that is to enter its geographic coordinates, a very useful function when detecting an archaeological site for example.
With the same software, students also learned how to create a 3D model video like this one, watch here!

For scanned models, Scan in a box software was used instead to relived areas that do not belong to the model and correct it.

There are often holes in the mesh, the 3D model surface that has been created, or some of the polygons composing it intersect. All this can disturb the display and create problems during 3D printing. All these imperfections must be corrected.
Giulio Bigliardi also introduced free Meshlab software, which can be useful during file fixing work.

Finally, we talked about Online Museums. Many museums around the world, such as the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum in London or Smithsonian in Washington, have since long begun to make their works relived with scanner or photogrammetry, available on their website. Just the same work we did during this course!
Bringing these masterpieces online can give everyone, near or far, the opportunity to enjoy their beauty and perhaps decide to travel and visit them live at the museum. Sometimes these are collections normally preserved in museums warehouses, and cannot be exhibited, for space issues for example. Trough these models, we give them the chance to be admired.
In Italy there is 3D Virtual Museum, created by 3D Archeolab. This site offers over 300 works from 52 Italian museums and increasing! We hope Museo di Storia Naturale e Archeologia di Montebelluna (TV) will soon be present with models we processed in this course.

For this type of operation, students have learned how to use Sketchfab, a free sharing service that allows you to upload an online model, change light and scene settings to improve your viewing experience.

Do not miss the last chapter next week, that’s finally about us: 3D printing!