THIS IS COOL: Group Makes 3D Backups Of World Landmarks

[liberal N proud]

LONDON (AP) -- We all know to back up our files and photos, but what about our castles and churches?

A nonprofit named CyArk has created digital copies of more than 100 of the world's best-known monuments, mapping Roman ruins, ancient statues, and even an entire island. Now it plans 400 more, with the goal of preserving the world's most important sites against war, wear, and the impact of climate change.

"There is never going to be enough time or money to preserve everything," CyArk co-founder Barbara Kacyra said Monday at a launch event at the Tower of London.

"If you can't physically save something, your next best thing is to digitally preserve it."

Oakland, California-based CyArk works by using 3D laser scanners, radar, and a host of other technologies to create detailed maps of famous monuments — from Mt. Rushmore to the Leaning Tower of Pisa — measuring nooks and nicks with millimeter precision.

Not only do the lasers capture minute damage invisible to most cameras, the 3D data can be used to create hyper-realistic models and flyover programs used by tourists and educators.
http://www.mbtmag.com/news/2013/10/group-makes-3d-backups-world-landmarks?et_cid=3550556&et_rid=82488838&type=headline


Here is an example of a German Castle and how you can virtually tour it as a result:

http://www.farowebshare.com/?autoLoad=2049ca79-b45d-44cc-812c-65d8de2c5402&s

Click on one of the snapshots in the upper left corner of the window.
To rotate, hold your left mouse button and move the mouse
When you find a target in the picutre, you can click on it to move to that location.

This will waste hours of your time.

[progressoid]

1. That is very cool.

But what are the little white globes in the interior views?

http://www.farowebshare.com?autoLoad=2049ca79-b45d-44cc-812c-65d8de2c5402&scanID=2b26bfd9-3895-478d-8544-07646fb5084d&rotationX=5.287177510163174&rotationY=1263.777376534447&zoom=15.531051599963153

[liberal N proud]

2. The white globe are targets used to stitch the individual scans

I have one of these scanners that we use to document interiors of our building before installing new equipment.

Not cheap, but it can save the cost of the scanner on one project.