The OCMCH has collaborated with Digital Services colleagues at Oxford Brookes University to create 3D models of objects from our collections, allowing researchers to manipulate and explore the items in 360° through RADAR, the university’s institutional repository.
The first digital model to be made available online is of a Coadestone bust of John Wesley, made in London in 1793. Named for it’s inventor, Eleanor Coade (1733-1821), this ‘artificial’ stone was first synthesised in c1770. Over the following decades her company produced hundreds of designs, including coats of arms, sculptures, and interior ornaments and mouldings. The frieze above Wesley’s House in London was also executed in this material.
You can explore this object by following this link;
https://radar.brookes.ac.uk/radar/items/03cf22dc-ff20-496e-884a-c6796211c1d2/1/
The 3D models of OCMCH objects were created by Learning Resources staff using photogrammetry. This process involves capturing images of an item from different angles and stitching together the photos to form a 3D shape. A large amount of overlap is required between each image to ensure accurate alignment, resulting in around 150 photos being required for each object. For smaller pieces, we place the item on a turntable which is rotated by a small amount after taking each image. With larger items, like the bust of John Wesley, we walk around the object to capture the image set. The advantages of photogrammetry for 3D model making include the ease of capturing the photos (any digital camera will do, including phones) and the photographic surface displayed on the final model, which makes for a very life-like virtual replica.
Gerard Helmich, Digital Services Developer at OBU
More objects from our collections will be available as 3D models soon. Follow the OCMCH on social media for the latest updates.
Westminster Oxford Research Network 