3D-COFORM

In the acquisition stage we will follow two major strands. First, the web-based 3D-reconstruction techniques for immovable objects as well the 3D-digitisation process of moveable regular objects based on available laser digitisation technology will be extended towards automatic and user friendly rapid digitisation (in-hand digitisation) of 3D-shape. In addition to 3D-shape colour and reflectance properties of the objects will either be digitized as well or the user will get the possibility to map these data from other sources in order to produce high quality representations of the artefacts. Second, we will develop new approaches for image-based reconstruction which will give use the ability to digitise shape, reflectance properties and if necessary spectral colour of artefacts, e.g. gems, jewellery, etc. for which current techniques are not effective, in one acquisition step.

Since the 3D shapes of a lot of 3D objects are already available, 3D-COFORM will also develop techniques for reflectance acquisition for these objects from multiple views of the same known surface. We will deal with all levels of surface reflectance ranging from simple texture maps to full 6D Bidirectional Texture Functions (BTF). This way low cost acquisition of reflectance data will be possible. Last but not least an important goal of 3D-COFORM is the acquisition of spectral reflectance data from CH objects. To come up with a rapid acquisition device we plan to capture only a sparse sampling of the spectral reflectance data and to interpolate the remaining data from this sampling using efficiently acquired RGB data as constraint. From the very beginning of the project we will extend and deploy current tools to support digitisation projects undertaken with major cultural heritage institutions in order to develop operational processes and business solutions for operationalisation of mass digitisation of 3D assets at low cost. The digitisation projects undertaken will be carefully chosen to span the range of cultural heritage data, extending the areas in which appropriate tools for volume digitisation at low cost can be deployed and the range of inter-operable formats appropriate to describing 3D assets.