The Future of Three-Dimensional Imaging and Museum Applications
This article debates whether museums should embrace 3D imaging for their collections. The article states that museums are interested in the technology, but still see it as too expensive. One particular benefit that the article states is that 3D helps to turn regular images into entertainment, and helps to show the object more realistically. Also, 3D printing could help museums to share their collections with researchers around the world. 3D images can also help to preserve a record of objects as an insurance against their decay. A drawback is the learning curve for 3D technology, including learning new hardware and software. In addition, different types of hardware and software may be necessary for different types of objects. File sizes would also be larger. 3D could be used to enhance user experience via more realistic augmented reality. The public is also often more excited to get involved in crowdsourcing of 3D objects. An option to overcome the hardware cost is to use software to combine multiple 2D images into a 3D object, and subjected to crowdsourcing this could continuously be refined as more users add more images (an example of this is PhotoCity). Arc3D and Microsoft Photosynth may also be used free to do this.
Implications
One of the most important aspects of a successful crowdsourcing project is public engagement. 3D images are more engaging to the public, and therefore more likely to generate a large enough user base to improve museum content. Also, even though getting cutting edge 3D equipment can be expensive, using the available free services can provide significant benefit for little cost.
This article debates whether museums should embrace 3D imaging for their collections. The article states that museums are interested in the technology, but still see it as too expensive. One particular benefit that the article states is that 3D helps to turn regular images into entertainment, and helps to show the object more realistically. Also, 3D printing could help museums to share their collections with researchers around the world. 3D images can also help to preserve a record of objects as an insurance against their decay. A drawback is the learning curve for 3D technology, including learning new hardware and software. In addition, different types of hardware and software may be necessary for different types of objects. File sizes would also be larger. 3D could be used to enhance user experience via more realistic augmented reality. The public is also often more excited to get involved in crowdsourcing of 3D objects. An option to overcome the hardware cost is to use software to combine multiple 2D images into a 3D object, and subjected to crowdsourcing this could continuously be refined as more users add more images (an example of this is PhotoCity). Arc3D and Microsoft Photosynth may also be used free to do this.
Implications
One of the most important aspects of a successful crowdsourcing project is public engagement. 3D images are more engaging to the public, and therefore more likely to generate a large enough user base to improve museum content. Also, even though getting cutting edge 3D equipment can be expensive, using the available free services can provide significant benefit for little cost.
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