2020 Promises to be an Exciting Year for Classroom 3D Visualization

It's the last day of 2019 and I am noticing a LOT of new Depth Cameras coming into the marketplace.  Admittedly, the hot market for depth cameras is going to be something known as SLAM (“Simultaneous Localization and Mapping”) used for things like robots and drones.

But, one of the applications for depth cameras is 3D capture in a form that can be used in a Virtual Museum and printed with a full color 3D printer.  We will be testing some of these new products on this blog and adding them to our arsenal of tools to help students come to really appreciate in 2020 that observation as an essential skill.

OBSERVATION IS FOUNDATIONAL

I was discussing this very fact with a maker of a 3D scanning system today.  Not all students are going to become scientists or historians.  But, we should expect that all students can come to appreciate the skill of observation as a core life value.

The reason why we are so committed to using 3D visualization in the classroom is that the processes required to do so inevitably demand gaining observation skills.  Let's suppose we try to scan an object and we simply cannot obtain a successful scan.

Is that a failure?

Absolutely not.  The mere attempt requires a student to observe, in depth, many things, like orientation, color, shape and size.  Things that could have been overlooked in a casual context.

Choosing an object for scanning is, in itself, an exercise in observation.  Why does this object even exist?  Why did someone want this or need this object?  What does the object say about the person who make it?  The focus required to select a historic inherently increases one observational abilities.

And, it is hard for me to imagine ANY student who cannot benefit by stimulating and growing their observational skills.

THE CHOICES FOR THE BEGINNING OF 2020

Based on what I'm am seeing in terms of new 3D visualization products being announced, I believe this list will become much bigger.  But, for now, here is the list of 3D scanners and 3D photogrammetry applications that we immediately have available for our Virtual History capture initiative.

     3D SCANNERS

•      Matter & Form V2
•      Sense 1 & 2
•      xyzPrinting
•      Einscan
•      HP Z 3D Camera
•      Intel RealSense (Several)

     PHONES & APPS

•      Sony Experia XZ1 - 3D Creator
•      iPhone -  Qlone

     PHOTOGRAMMETRY

•      3D Zephyr

We are actively testing each of the above offerings with the goal of being able to give teachers a wide variety of options for beginning their own Virtual Museum projects.   If you happen to have a 3D scanner not in this list, by all means, please let us know. 

As we close out 2019 and move into 2020, we look forward to more and more museums, schools, teacher and students embracing 3D visualization as a powerful motivator to improve all of our observational skills.

This is My Kind of Teacher!

I posted a review on Amazon for the Matter and Form 3D scanner and decided to see what others had to say about it. I was extremely pleased by one review in particular.  What struck me was not the high marks in the review. It was why this particular teacher wanted a scanner in the first place!  And, how they have expanded their vision to include other teachers.

I have no idea who this teacher is or where they teach.  But, whoever they are.. they have my undying respect!  They "Get it!"  I hope, some day, to get to know them personally.

H.S.A

March 25, 2019

First off, I want to say I love this scanner. As a social studies teacher, I’ve been working to integrate my curriculum with STEAM (as opposed to STEM) concepts, and I wanted a tool that would help students maximize cross-disciplinary learning. For example, if I’m teaching about Roman Empire architecture, instead of having kids throw a poster together, or build an arch bridge out of balsa wood, I can use this scanner to get them involved with a real tech-tool (that’s actually used by Industrial Designers and engineers) which they can use in conjunction with a 3D printer (and/or, as I found out, with Photoshop). That way we can bring history into the science room, and vice-versa. (I can also share this scanner with the art teacher, science teacher, and anyone else who can find an application to maximize cross-departmental collaboration.)

Second – I do want to note that it takes a little practice to get down a good method for scanning. Once you get the concepts, tips and tricks down (how to properly set the laser for good geometry capture, how to clean and combine scans, etc), it’s easy to get great results. Even though that stuff is in the manual, Matter & Form offers live tutorials (I’ve never encountered another company that does this) which is perfect for people like me who aren’t big “user manual guys”. Getting personally walked through a couple things was a big help. (I highly encourage M&F to pop up a couple videos on the nuances.)

So, all in all, it’s a great piece of equipment, and has really helped bring other disciplines into my classroom. Students LOVE working with it, and I get to bring my pedagogy into the 21st century. Thanks, M&F!

Helping Teachers and Students to Obtain The Optimal Capture Results

While we have not been actively creating daily posts about capturing historic objects to create virtual museums, it does not mean that we have not been VERY active in moving this concept forward.  Behind the scene we have been and are laying the groundwork to be the most helpful we can be to teachers and educators that would like to do exactly what John Zingale has done at iTech and we have done at YouthQuest Foiundation.

There is no one-size-fits-all magic bullet when it comes to capturing objects in 3D.  Some things capture well using a handheld 3D scanner.  But, others do not.  They are captured best using photogrammetry.  Therefore, teachers and students might find that they need more than one tool to accomplish the task.

And, coming up with the best possible results does not always rely on the scanning device or the photogrammetry device being used.  The type of platform or the color of the platform on which an item is placed might make quite a difference in the outcome.  How we handle lighting is also an important factor.

And, finally, the tools we apply to the original scan to come up with a completely finished virtual object can make a tremendous difference in the final outcome.

It all sounds so complicated.  But, it is not.

Knowing a few simple tricks that apply to the combination of each individual capture device, shooting platform and lighting requirements can help immensely.  And we have been devoting a lot of time, energy and thought about how to present those tricks in an organized and helpful way.

THE STRATEGY: DYNAMIC ONLINE COURSEWARE

By "Dynamic" I mean a low cost, lifetime, online course (Under $20) that is expanded, at no additional cost to a subscriber, as developments warrant and the means and capabilities of our being able of doing so are available.

A lesson will be created for each capture device or application along with tools that enhance that device's capabilities in positive ways.  These lessons will NOT be reviews.  Whatever the capabilities or limitations of any given device might be, we will address how to capitalize on the capabilities and, as much as possible, overcome the limitations.  We do this because we know teachers aren't always in control of the buying process.  They are simply provided with the device and must make do with what is at hand.

When it comes to creating 3D capture opportunities for deeper student engagement with history, any capture technique or device is way more useful than no technique or device.   The key is to get the most out of whatever tools we have.

INITIAL LESSONS

The initial lessons will follow two tracks, 3D scanners that have been on the market for a while and no-cost or low-cost photogrammetry applications for smart phones and computers.  The 3D scanners to be presented will include standalone devices like the Matter and Form scanner.

Matter and Form Scanner

And, well-known hand-held scanners like the Sense1, Sense2 and xyzPrinting scanner along with their RealSense counterparts.

Sense1 or Sense2 Handheld scanner

xyzPrinting 3D Scanner

With each of these devices we will also cover additional tools, like 3D printed parts that allow better mounting or operation,  And we will include various scanning platforms and lighting devices or techniques that enhance their capabilities.  These might include both manual and programmable turntables.  Anything that we find provides the best result.

HAVING REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

None of the scanners and/or photogrammetry tools will ever deliver results comparable to $35,000 scanning devices.  But, they don't cost $35,000 either!  Nothing will discourage you or your students more than having unrealistic expectations for any of these devices and applications.  The xyzPrinting scanner has limited resolution; but, it is also one of the easiest to use for a complete beginner.  This make it very useful for learning the skills required for using ANY 3D scanning device. 

The Matter and Form scanner has limitations as to the size of object it can scan.  But, it is a WONDERFUL device for creating virtual museum objects that fit into its scanning parameters.  The ability it provides to quickly and easily combine multiple scans into a single result is pretty amazing.

Our focus is on moving forward and getting better with whatever device you happen to be able to obtain.  It is the process of evaluating, researching, planning and capturing that provides a rich learning experience no matter what the tool.

An Ancient Craft Unleashed in a Whole New Way

Almost all of the posts of this blog have involved, in some way, ceramics; because, much of what we know about our past is based upon the permanence of ceramics.  And, that is true over the entire globe.

The fact that dating of archaeological finds often relies on the style of the pottery found, tells us that the methods, modes and style of creating ceramic objects has always been in flux since the earliest days of civilization.

Perhaps my mind works in weird ways (some would remove the "perhaps"!); but, I cannot help imagining the horror felt by those that coiled their pottery at the thought of using the new-fangled wheel!  And, the shock of those using a foot powered wheel when someone dared to attach an electric motor.

FROM THE PAST:   DESKTOP FACTORY

The reason for my writing this article is that change is coming to individuals working in ceramics today.  And, that change is 3D printing.  The prospect of the ability to 3D print ceramics has been my focus since at least 2007.  Rather than fear it, I welcomed it.  In fact, the very first blog post I wrote, in May of  2007, was about a 3D printer that was quite different from the RepRap printers that had come before it.   It was called the Desktop Factory, being developed by a small start-up in California.  And, they were aiming at a $5,000 price point.

Desktop Factory (circa 2007)

The materials used in the DeskTop Factory included micro-beads of aluminum and glass. This gave the printed parts a very unique feel.

Printed Desktop Factory Part

Upon finding out about the existence of the Desktop Factory, I immediately contacted the CEO, Cathy Lewis.  This resulted in my being sent some sample parts.  My goal was to explore ways to remove the support material and methods of post-processing the parts and report back my findings.

Smoothed Desktop Factory Part

I had a ball!  It was a lot of fun working with the parts and capturing videos that documented the hurdles encountered and the solutions discovered.  Even though this printer and 3D printing technology was never brought to market, I still have the parts that Cathy Lewis sent my way and cherish them as important relics of my own 3D printing journey.

Desktop Factory was purchased by 3D Systems and Cathy Lewis became their Vice President for International Marketing leading to their bringing out the Cube series of consumer 3D printers.

INTO THE FUTURE:  KWAMBIO CERAMO ZERO MAX

So let's fast forward to 2019.

A new company, Kwambio, has captured my imagination in my quest for an affordable ceramics printer. Interestingly, the 3D printer that sparked this interest is also targeted to be released at the $5,000 price point.  But, this time, the technology behind the printer is quite different.  And, the price point is amazingly low for the technology being used.

Their new consumer desktop ceramics printer is the Ceramo Zero Max.

Ceramo Zero Max

It is based on the industrial ceramics printer that Kwambio developed for the print-on-demand service.  The professional version used two materials and I am assuming this will be true of the Ceramo Zero Max.  (But, until I am able to see it in person in a few weeks or so, I cannot confirm that potential.)

The first material is Ceramic Powder:

Ceramo Zero One Ceramic Powder Sample

The second is remarkably similar to my cherished Desktop Factory parts.  It is a glass infused powder called GS One.

Kwambio GS One Sample

THE KWAMBIO RAMIFICATIONS

We started this article musing about disruptions that have repeatedly impacted the crafting of ceramic works throughout all history, from antiquity forward.  But, all of these once-feared disruptions contributed immensely to those who adopted them.  3D printing of ceramics is no exception.  While a PORTION of the creative work flow IS created by a machine, it is only a SMALL portion, with huge benefits.  The design, the slip, the glazing and even hand-formed modifications are still entirely dependent on the will and the skill of the artisan.

Before closing, let me tell you a story about an event that convinced me that there is a place for a 3D printer in the life of a ceramics artist.  For many years I watched my daughter create beautiful carved ceramic works of art.  It took a long amount of time to go from creative vision to concrete expression of that vision.  Here are some smaller works, each painstakingly built-up, carved and finished by hand:

Amplexus by Cheryl Meeks Manger

Fleurette by Cheryl Meeks Manger

Unfortunately, one of her larger, and perhaps, her most beautiful work, cannot be shown here.  As she was nearing the completion of a very large, incredibly intricate, and delicate piece, the entire object shattered as she accidentally hit her worktable as she turned her chair.  The entire work was lost in one devastating instant.

That was the instant and instance that made me realize that has she been able to 3D print the basic form of that object all would NOT have been lost.  She could bring it back to that same point and move on from there to the finished expression of her creative vision.

Thirteen years later, I am hopeful that my dream of a viable 3D printer for ceramics artists is nearing fulfillment.  In the next few weeks I will be traveling to see the Ceramo Zero Max in person and will report what I find.  And, I will be doing so with twelve years of experience in 3D design and 3D printing.  The Ceramo Zero Max is a ceramics powder based printer.  I now have had five years experience printing with a professional powder based printer.  The big difference is that the parts of the one I have been using (Z450) cannot be glazed and fired, which, to me, is critical for ceramics artisans.

I am extremely optimistic that what I will find on this visit is to be a major milestone in both art and art education.  I cannot wait to meet the Kwambio team to see if the dream has actually become a reality.

FVvr - Virtual Museum Created by Students!

While researching Qlone, a phone 3D scanning application, I stumbled across an amazing site.

The FVvr (Fort Vancouver Virtual Reality Museum is an initiative of the Vancouver iTech Preparatory School in Vancouver, Washington.

While I really want you to see for yourself the amazing things this school is doing to preserve and present historical artifacts that otherwise might be beyond our experience, I will share some screen captures to whet your appetite.

And remember, this was all accomplished by Middle School students!

Students as Teachers 

Click on the photo to see it in full size, or better yet, listen to Abby tell the story of this captured artifact and interactively examine the object via SketchFab.

Abby's Virtual Museum Contribution - Dog Carving

The idea of students being curators is powerful.  Teachers ALWAYS learn more than students and the way the students have created their own virtual museum demonstrates that students CAN become teachers!  In order to curate this item Abby had to dig into so many facets of this items origins and it shows in her narration

Students as Researchers

To be honest, this next example brings back a painful childhood memory.  I was about six years old and lived in Burke, Virginia which, apparently, had been the site of a Powhatan settlement at one time.  We were constantly finding arrowheads, etc.  But, for some reason, my sister and I decided to turn over a modestly large rock and to our surprise found a necklace.  On showing it to my grandfather, he said, "Throw that old thing away.  It's only an old boars tooth necklace!", which we obligingly did to our deepest regret to this very day!  And, that's the thing about historical objects.  Most things that are 'precious' day historically had to surve through a 'junk' phase to get here.

But, I am happy to say that Payton saw the value in this necklace and took the time to research its history and function for the visitors to FVvr's virtual museum.  Listen as Payton tells the story.

Payton's Virtual Museum Contribution - Beaded Necklace

It's wonderful to see how the teachers behind this project encouraged their students to dig deeper to not only find the possible history of an artifact; but, the meaning of that artifact to the original owner.  It is this kind of connection that makes history come alive.  Kudos to Payton for the work she has done to help us understand this item in its deeper context.

Students as Curators

Curating a museum display usually involves an "Archaeological Theme" grouping multiple artifacts which interact to form a deeper understanding of that theme.  While all the students involved obviously acted as curators, deciding which items to scan and how to present them, three stand out as focusing on a single activity and bringing light to the individuality of its expression in the life of the user. 

The first is from Olivia:  See Olivia's Museum Display

Olivia's Virtual Museum Contribution - Tobacco Pipe

The second is from Cristian: See Cristian's Museum Display

Cristian's Virtual Museum Contribution - Tobacco Pipe Bowl

And, the third from Robert: See Robert's Museum Display

Robert's Virtual Museum Contribution - Tobacco Pipe Bowl

As I listened and watched, I could not help but be impressed by the work that went into creating and curating these objects and how the experience of doing so will affect the lives of these young students forever.  At YouthQuest Foundation, we like to describe our educational goals as "Changing the trajectory of young lives."   I have no doubt that the trajectory of the lives of the students taking part in the Virtual Museum has been changed in profound and positive ways through this experience.

Though an entire country spans between the Vancouver iTech Preparatory in Vancouver Washington and our YouthQuest students on the east coast in Maryland, DC, Virginia and South Carolina I cannot help but, believe that all of our students can benefit with an ongoing commitment to using 3D technology in the pursuit of making history come alive.

To the teachers that created this visionary project... THANK YOU! 

In the future I plan to return to the Virtual Museum until we have examined all 112 contributions and how they can contribute to the benefit of all classrooms everywhere.

A Word on 3D Capturing 

Like FVvr, we have found that, at least at this point in time, using photogrammetry is easier and likely to produce better results than a dedicated 3D scanner.  FVvr has used a different application than we have tested (Qlone) producing excellent results.  Our experience using 3DZephyr and the Sony Experia XZ1 has been VERY positive.  I might add that NO 3D scanner that we have tested measures up to the Sony Experia for faithfully capturing the features of our black students.  And, for that, we are very grateful.  

I'm not sure that Qlone provides that benefit; but, it does seem to handle specular items very well.  So, we'll be testing Qlone with our Immersion students in the near future.

Both of our efforts have benefited by the capabilities of SketchFab.  It's a wonderful platform for viewing 3D work.  We have been able to download scans of ancient ceramic works of art and print them with our Z450 full-color printer to create our own mini-museum in the classroom,  

If you are involved in a similar project or are interested in museums in the classroom I urge you to let us know in the comment section of this blog article.