Thomas MacEntee (Hack Genealogy) posted a link to The Future of
Preserving the Past Is All About You (Jamie Condliffe on GIZMODO). Though this sounds remarkably similar to what
all genealogists and family historians do, it’s about using 3D rendering
technologies to “preserve” monuments, buildings and any 3D item that has or
will have historical relevance.
It’s surprisingly easy to capture 3D
models of small everyday objects using little more than your phone and
some patience. Autodesk’s 123D Catch(*), for instance, leans on a technique called photogrammetry to make
use of your iPhone’s camera and processing grunt to create 3D models of real
objects. Essentially, it infers geometric properties of an object from a series
of photographs taken from different angles.
It’s not a new idea—in fact, the
theoretical principles of photogrammetry have existed since the birth of
photography—but the ease of application is now made possible by the tiny
computers we all carry around in our pockets, all day, every day.
How cool does that
sound? I have often struggled with this issue in that I was given some “thimbles” that had belonged to my great great grandfather who was a saddler. I have
I guess, as they
say, “all things will come to those who wait;” I now might have a way to
digitally preserve my curios!
Do read the
mentioned article. It talks about
different projects for digitizing 3D objects including one where school
children are capturing local heritage sites in 3D. It also mentions a Google collection of 3D models and the Smithsonian has a Facebook page devoted to 3D
Digitization.
Pursuing the
concatenation of 3D + genealogy I came across this neat article 18th century
tombstones deciphered with new 3D technology which suggests that we can also use
3D imaging technology to help us re-create what may already be lost. We’ve seen where long-lost buildings or
communities have been re-created in 3D and to be able to use 3D technology to
“read” what was engraved on a tombstone and yet not visible to us is just
wonderful.
It’s always fun to
read about new technology that might have application to our hunt for
information on and context about the lives of our ancestors.
Have you been involved with a 3D rendering project of interest to
genealogists?
What other uses might such technology have for family historians?
Editor’s Note: (*) this software is FREE and available as a PC download, app for iPhone & ipad, or as a web app. I’m waiting for an android version! When it comes out, I will test it on my
thimble and report back! Though, I might distract myself sooner and play with the web-based or computer download versions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
copyright © National
Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia
22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Want to learn more
about interacting with the blog, please read Hyperlinks,
Subscribing and Comments -- How to Interact with Upfront with NGS Blog posts!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NGS does not imply
endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Republication
of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for
non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a
note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written
permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles
for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission
to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be
edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom
of each UpFront article.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Think your friends,
colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post
interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Suggestions
for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please
send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com
