The Ceramic Technologies Digital Library (CTDL) uses for its 3D data gathering several tools. The strategy for this project is data gathering, processing, and displaying the web-based digital library of ceramic technology. Data gathering is accomplished through the use of a:
-Flatbed-scanner to collect special features of selected ceramic artifacts and also of non-existing vessels that were previously documented.
-Digital camera photography for special features and selected ceramic artifacts
-3D scanning for the main body of material (whole vessels) enabling the precise measurement, display, and visual reconstruction of each vessel
Digitizers in the domain of 3 D imagery come today in various shapes and with various functional capabilities. Most 3 D scanners can be applied to the task of scanning ceramic vessels, provided they are portable, high-definition, and accurate in rendering. The software capability accompanying the scanner is also a factor to be considered, since the easiness of scanning relates directly to the software proprietary to the scanner. The CTDL has selected for its task a Konica-Minolta VIVID V9i scanner (@ photo courtesy of Konica-Minolta Europe Gmbh), which fulfills all requirements of the project.The scanner can be calibrated in the office as well as in the field, thus adding a plus to its portability value. For more technical details see the KonicaMinolta website.
The scans are collected from each beneficial angle to the vessel, so that no amount of information is left behind. For most open-mouth vessels, it is sufficient a rotational scanning strategy of the outer side of the vessel covering one plane only. However, a dual-plane rotational scanning may be considered for lid-covered or bottom-incised vessels.
The scanner can be calibrated in the office as well as in the field, thus adding a plus to its portability value. For more technical details see the KonicaMinolta website.