The last decade has seen a huge push for mass digitization of our cultural heritage, fueled by the European Commission’s Digital Decade targets for 2030 with the recommendation to digitize all cultural heritage assets at risk of degradation. Their recently published pan-European collection of 3D-digitized cultural heritage assets, Twin-it!, showcases the first step towards this goal. The preservation and accessibility of cultural objects have become paramount, ensuring these treasures are kept for future generations and are accessible to a global audience. One of the most promising techniques for achieving this has proven to be photogrammetric 3D scanning.
Digitizing objects of cultural importance brings numerous benefits for museums and the wider public:
Every object and site of cultural importance is always at risk of environmental changes, general wear and tear, natural disasters, war and more, no matter how well protected it may be. This also means that the most fragile objects are not available to the public as the risk of degradation is too high. The only way to guarantee that these objects will be available for future generations to view, study and appreciate is to digitize them through 3D scanning. In terms of historical sites, having an accurate 3D scan of the site or building means the original structure can be restored after a disaster, in the exact detail it was before.
Having a digital database of detailed historical artifacts allows scientists to conduct analyses remotely, and without risk of damage. It offers researchers and educators new interactive methods of studying and teaching about historical artifacts, through virtual or augmented reality.
With only about 3-5% of museum collections on display at any one time, digitizing them overcomes the issue of space limitations and degradation risk, making entire collections available for the public to view. It enables museums to create impressive interactive experiences for visitors using AR or VR technologies, leaving lasting impressions and cultivating interest in our history. Making them accessible online also breaks geographical barriers, allowing people worldwide to explore and learn from these cultural treasures. An admirable example of this is Scan the World, a global initiative focused on open 3D heritage and creating the largest database of cultural artifacts, with over 16,000 objects from museums, public spaces and private collections available to download for free.
Photogrammetry uses the information from a collection of overlapping photographs to create a 3D model. This method captures the intricate details, textures, and colors of artifacts, providing a highly accurate digital representation. Photogrammetry is versatile, capable of digitizing objects of various sizes and materials without physical contact, ensuring the preservation and integrity of delicate artifacts. Its user-friendly nature allows museum staff to learn and implement the process with relative ease, further democratizing access to advanced digital preservation techniques.
While photogrammetry can be conducted using a standard camera or smartphone, sophisticated solutions, such as our 3D Studio Scanner with its transparent turntable, polarized lighting and customizable camera arm, help create an automated, flexible workflow to scan large collections of objects of all shapes, sizes and textures. Experts claim that photogrammetry should be avoided when scanning featureless, reflective or dark objects, as these surface features make reconstructing the 3D model almost impossible. Our solution overcomes these limitations of photogrammetry by utilizing our latest innovations, including our automated digital spray, to create geometrically accurate models of objects previously believed to be unscannable through photogrammetry alone.
In order to demonstrate our claims, we decided to scan a reflective, white, hand painted jug:
Using our automated digital spray, the object’s surface is changed without coming into physical contact with the object:
And the raw model is available to view here:
The digitization of museum collections, driven by the European Commission’s Digital Decade targets, represents a critical advancement in preserving and democratizing access to cultural heritage. Photogrammetric 3D scanning stands out as a particularly effective method, offering detailed and accurate digital representations of artifacts while ensuring their preservation. The benefits of this technology are manifold, from protecting fragile objects and enabling remote research to breaking down geographical barriers and creating immersive experiences for the public. Innovations in photogrammetry, such as the use of botspot’s automated digital spray, further enhance its applicability, allowing even challenging objects to be digitized effectively. As we move forward, the success of this initiative will depend on the collaborative efforts of museums, universities, technology companies, and governmental bodies. By working together, we can ensure that our cultural treasures are preserved and accessible for future generations, aligning with the goals of the Digital Decade and beyond.