Nikhilesh Haval, India | ISBN: | Submitted: May 6, 1999

3-Dimensional Documentation of Complex Heritage Structures

Right from the beginning of the first civilizations, documentation of events, religion, culture and significant structures has been of utmost importance for further study and preservation. Various methods of visual communications developed over a period of time Efrom ancient techniques like rock cut frescoes, hieroglyphics of Egypt, paintings and carvings in stone to 2-dimensional techniques using paper to today’s digital techniques using multimedia. Today, the computing power at the PC level has increased tremendously, and has allowed the SOHO users to demand better user interface. This need has forced the world of computers not only to switch from 2 dimensional interface to 3 dimensional interface but also increased interactivity. There will soon be a time where a person no longer goes beyond the realms of his own home for experiencing or studying all aspects of any intricate Heritage Structure. Virtual environments of such structures will be easily available and navigable. All the associated information like history, architectural data, archaeological data, culture and also traditional audio will be available at the click of the mouse. There are infinite possibilities of depicting the virtual (different lighting conditions, the structure as it existed (As Was), the present state of the structure (As Is) or future representation of the structure (As It Can Be). Besides marking the beginning of 3-Dimensional documentation of Complex Heritage Structures, this research has extended the limits of human skill (in terms of gathering data and construction of 3D model) and information technology (in terms of hardware limitations and computing power) Ea symbiosis and confluence of arts and information technology.

[more information]
http://westwood.fortunecity.com/karan/133/paper.htm

[keywords]
documentation, Heritage, Architecture, VirtualWalkthrough, Referencing, Archiving, Modelling, Textures, polygons