<
https://singularityhub.com/2023/11/06/a-revolution-in-computer-graphics-is-bringing-3d-reality-capture-to-the-masses/>
"As a weapon of war, destroying cultural heritage sites is a common method by
armed invaders to deprive a community of their distinct identity. It was no
surprise then, in February of 2022, as Russian troops swept into Ukraine, that
historians and cultural heritage specialists braced for the coming destruction.
So far in the Russia-Ukraine War, UNESCO has confirmed damage to hundreds of
religious and historical buildings and dozens of public monuments, libraries,
and museums.
While new technologies like low-cost drones, 3D printing, and private satellite
internet may be creating a distinctly 21st century battlefield unfamiliar to
conventional armies, another set of technologies is creating new possibilities
for citizen archivists off the frontlines to preserve Ukrainian heritage sites.
Backup Ukraine, a collaborative project between the Danish UNESCO National
Commission and Polycam, a 3D creation tool, enables anyone equipped with only a
phone to scan and capture high-quality, detailed, and photorealistic 3D models
of heritage sites, something only possible with expensive and burdensome
equipment just a few years ago.
Backup Ukraine is a notable expression of the stunning speed with which 3D
capture and graphics technologies are progressing, according to Bilawal Sidhu,
a technologist, angel investor, and former Google product manager who worked on
3D maps and AR/VR.
“Reality capture technologies are on a staggering exponential curve of
democratization,” he explained to me in an interview for
Singularity Hub.
According to Sidhu, generating 3D assets had been possible, but only with
expensive tools like DSLR cameras, lidar scanners, and pricey software
licenses. As an example, he cited the work of CyArk, a non-profit founded two
decades ago with the aim of using professional grade 3D capture technology to
preserve cultural heritage around the world.
“What is insane, and what has changed, is today I can do all of that with the
iPhone in your pocket,” he says."
Via Rixty Dixet.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
