First-of-its-Kind 3D Educational Tool Allows the Public to Interact
with Rare Artifacts and Scientific Specimens Like Never Before
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2013--
Autodesk,
Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) and the
Smithsonian today debuted the Smithsonian
x3D Explorer, an interactive 3D educational tool accessible to
anyone via the web. Autodesk built the tool exclusively for the
Smithsonian to democratize access to prized specimens and to bring their
stories to life. The public can now experience priceless objects
digitized by the Smithsonian like never before, from seeing “behind the
glass” to holding 3D printed replicas.
A 3D digital model of this buddha provides a detailed look at the inscriptions that were otherwise difficult to read on the original artifact. (Photo: Business Wire)
3D technology is beginning to revolutionize museums in the same way it
has revolutionized entertainment, manufacturing, and architecture, and
the Smithsonian aims to be at the forefront of this transformation.
“Capturing digital 3D models of our vast and complex collections of
artifacts is a major priority,” said Gunter Waibel, head of the
Smithsonian Digitization Program Office. “Working with Autodesk we can
now share our collections with more people than we could ever reach
before. It is our hope that the Smithsonian x3D Explorer will enhance
education and research in ways we haven’t even imagined.”
Autodesk actively supports a variety of museums and national heritage
organizations with its reality computing technology to help preserve and
protect cultural heritage artifacts, structures and even fossils.
Creating detailed 3D models means that some of the world’s most prized
artifacts and scientific specimens housed in the Smithsonian collection
will be preserved and made available to the world, enhancing education
and research for generations to come. Less than 1% of the Smithsonian’s
collection is on display at any time, and some objects in their
collection will never be on display. The ability to showcase objects
digitally opens up a world of education and exploration like never
before. While a significant amount of the organization’s “flat” objects
such as photos or documents have been digitized, most Smithsonian
collections are of 3D objects. Autodesk worked with the Smithsonian to
create an entire web experience: a museum online complete with a
gallery, guided tours, research data, and a 3D object explorer. The x3D
Explorer launches with 3D models of 21 representative objects from its
collection.
“We’re honored to have played a role in preserving such invaluable
pieces of history and humanity,” said Amar
Hanspal, senior vice president at Autodesk. “We hope that exploring
these priceless artifacts, heirlooms, fossils and scientific specimens
in 3D will generate more public interest and learning around science and
technology – especially among students.”
The Smithsonian’s x3D Explorer’s stunning 3D models of historic
treasures and scientific specimens are available for anyone for free to
view, study, interact, visually manipulate, and share. Many of the 3D
models are available to download for personal and educational use,
including the ability to produce physical objects using 3D printing. For
example, classrooms around the globe can now work with educational
replicas of these artifacts, and hopefully encourage further interest
students to explore the vast collections of science, technology,
engineering and anthropology that is captured at the Smithsonian.
The Smithsonian Digitization Program Office is chartered with digitizing
as much of the Smithsonian’s collections as possible, and the scale of
the collection presents a significant challenge. The office relied on Autodesk
ReCap and Autodesk
Maya solutions to easily and quickly capture artifacts with photos
and turn them into detailed 3D models that can be viewed in “Hollywood
style” quality with the x3D Explorer.
About Autodesk
Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world.
Everyone—from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital
artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their
creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit autodesk.com or
follow @autodesk.
Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, 3ds Max, AutoCAD, Inventor, Maya and
Revit are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its
subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All
other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their
respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and
services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without
notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors
that may appear in this document.
© 2013 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20131113005454/en/
Source: Autodesk, Inc.
Autodesk, Inc.
Angela Simoes, 415-547-2388
angela.simoes@autodesk.com