What can AR do to bring heritage sites to life? - MuseumNext

Augmented Reality in Historical Sites - AR-Locations

Digital Preservation Through Photogrammetry

Collaboration with Noami Martinez

How can photogrammetry, augmented reality, and rapid prototyping be utilized to create a digital library of artifacts?

Our research involves using photogrammetry to create 3D scans of artifacts/collections, and generating QR codes for each. When scanned, we will utilize augmented reality (AR) to provide more visual information about the artifacts. Our intent is to increase accessibility to view these collections on the 3D model hosting website, Sketchfab, for students and the general public who may not be able to view them physically. In the end, a rapid prototype will be produced of some of the objects to be paired with a corresponding QR code, for exhibition purposes. 

The site we have currently decided to host the scanned objects on is Sketchfab. Accredited institutions, such as the Smithsonian Museum, have uploaded their collections onto it. Here is a link to the current library of scanned objects provided by the Smithsonian: https://sketchfab.com/Smithsonian

With Sketchfab, the copyright and use of the scanned objects can be controlled, as 3D scans and models are sent to the Public Domain using the Creative Commons (CC) Public Domain Dedication. They also offer a variety of other licensing if required.

Currently, the Basic and Free plan offers an upload of 10 objects a month, which is the maximum number of objects we anticipate for rapid prototyping. The number is subject to change depending on the collection scanned. https://sketchfab.com/plans

Our Steps:

1. Schedule a Zoom Meeting and tour of the artifacts available

2. Discuss which collection(s) will be used for photogrammetry

3. Set up appointments for 3D scanning using Polycam

4. Put the scanned data into Blender modeling software for optimization

5. When scans are complete, create a catalog of item using the website Sketchfab and Adobe Acrobat

6. 3D print object and ready each prototype for exhibition purposes

7. Develop AR interactions using Adobe Aero

With consideration of the submission limits within Sketchfab, we will also create a PDF document using Adobe Acrobat that contains the scans and their corresponding information. This PDF catalog will serve as a master-document of all the objects scanned. A digital file of each object will be available within this document for a complete digital render that our partner or other authorized viewers may reference.

The rapid prototypes of select objects will be presented at the Mirabella STEP Gallery in Tempe, from April 29th to May 3rd, 2024. This showing will contain works from other students in the Visualization and Prototyping course with Dan Collins.

A QR code will be assigned to each object to generate an augmented reality (AR) experience containing information about the object and its background. These codes can be scanned using any smartphone camera. 

Our Collaborators: Asu Innovation Gallery

First Prototype

Problems

First AR Prototype