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Amazing Portable 3D laser Scanners used to Digitally Preserve History views: 2456

Across the world, hidden amongst mountains, wrapped behind jungle vines and lost in centuries of age and wisdom are amazing wonders, historical landmarks and buildings rich in cultural passion. But what happens to these long kept secrets if one were to become destroyed or crumble over time? What if one was lost between the violence of wars? How do we find a way to learn more about them? CyArk – digital masters, have made a ground breaking triumph in preserving some of the worlds most vulnerable landmarks.

Chichén Itzá -El Castillo 3D point cloud of El Castillo, created from laser scan data.

When CyArk was published in National Geographic it inspired many cultural loving fans on the hope for preserving the world’s greatest man made structures. A compelling and even unbelievable creative method was foretold by NG explaining this new revolution.CyArks ambitious mission is to collect comprehensive digital records of cultural heritage sites around the world. The sites they cover are diverse, compelling and exciting – ranging from Native American Cliff Dwellings, Gothic cathedrals of France, the magical faces behind Easter Island and even the famous shipwreck of all time – the Titanic.

Cathedral of Beauvais Exterior Cathedral of Beauvais.

To fulfil their mission of capturing cultural heritage, CyArk have developed a four step process that is performed to reach full potential of their break through technology with help from world-wide partners. The start to their mission is to choose a site – those rich in importance to human culture or those that suffer from threats of destruction either human induced or naturally are cleverly chosen.

Temple of the Warriors Perspective of the Temple of the Warriors, created from laser scan data.

Once arrived and set up at the chosen awe-inspiring site, the CyArk team uses a variety of methods to thoroughly collect and document the site. By using a 3-D laser scanner alongside with surveying equipment, high resolution scans can be made – ancient carvings, moist caves and famous landmarks are just a few examples. The result is the production of an image with a data set so in tune with accuracy that it has been called a “reality capture”.

Church of Sao Francisco in Anchieta Plaza 3D point cloud of the Church of São Francisco in Anchieta Plaza, Pelourinho.

The portable 3-D scanner works by sweeping an area with a pulsing laser and delivers a high-definition map of the surrounding surfaces. The technology used is so advanced that the data recorded can be as close as 0.5 cm resulting in a surface map that includes hundreds of millions of pieces of data. The equipment that has been intellectually put together allows the laser scanner to record each point’s intensity return – the intensity can be affected by colour and reflectivity, delivering precise detials of the scanned objects surface area.

Campanile “leaning tower” of Pisa 3D laser scan campanile tower of Pisa.

Once the data has been successfully collected CyArk use this to create CAD drawings, precise 3D point clouds, high dynamic range photographs and multimedia to make education and cultural tourism a fun way of learning and respecting imperative sites. Finally, these amazing influential files are securely stored in the CyArk archives and are available to site managers and delightfully for the public.

Rano Raraku Moai “Easter Island” (Image Source) 3D point cloud of Rano Raraku Moai, created from laser scan data.

One of the main inspirations behind such a non-profit fascinating capture of heritage lies within the palms of Ben Kacyra – one of the participating inventors of the laser scanner and CyArks founder. From finding devastation after the Bamian Buddha’s of Afghanistan was demolished and lost forever from destruction of Talibans, he believed that by storing detailed laser scans left remains or remnants of the sites loss. I’m sure we can all agree what marvellous idea this is – making sure that the spirit of the heritage lives forever.

Royal Tombs at Kasubi Transition image of Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, showing photographic and laser scan data.

Who knows for the future that if such a valued and sacred sight becomes lost or damaged that these digital captures could provide the key into rebuilding and repairing these sites? Using such constructive sources of education also allows not only a positive impact on the cultural resource but also a promotion to communities of using cultural tourism responsibly.

Iglesia 3D point cloud of the Iglesia, created from laser scan data.

So imagine that – bringing the past back to life to lock and hold famous, spiritual and evocative memories for future generations, allowing us to always be inspired and star struck at the great marvels that stretch far and wide across the world. Thank you CyArk.

Ancient Merv Icehouse The icehouse structures, of which four still remain intact, are located south of Sultan Kala.

Image sources:

- http://green-buzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/3d-point-cloud-of-el-castillo-created-from-laser-scan-data.ocz_1.jpg
- http://archive.cyark.org/content/preview/350/perspective-of-el-castillo-created-from-laser-scan-data-1.jpg
- http://green-buzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/exterior-cathedral-of-beauvais.ocz_.jpg
- http://archive.cyark.org/content/preview/350/perspective-of-the-temple-of-the-warriors-created-from-laser-scan-data.jpg
- http://archive.cyark.org/content/preview/350/3d-point-cloud-of-the-church-of-sao-francisco-in-anchieta-plaza-pelourinho.ocz
- http://green-buzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/3d-laser-scan-campanile-tower-of-pisa.ocz_.jpg
- http://green-buzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/perspective-of-the-moai-on-the-rano-raraku-slopes-created-from-laser-scan-data.jpg
- http://archive.cyark.org/content/preview/350/transition-image-of-muzibu-azaala-mpanga-showing-photographic-and-laser-scan-data.jpg
- http://archive.cyark.org/content/preview/350/3d-point-cloud-of-the-iglesia-created-from-laser-scan-data.ocz
- http://archive.cyark.org/content/preview/350/ua173ooe65.jpg