Realisation of virtualised architectural heritage

Abstract

3D printing has become a popular and even an essential tool in many industries. This paper reviews a practical and real case of 3D printing of architectural heritage. The selected model for this study is one of the 30 targets which were previously digitally archived during the project called ‘Post-Independence Architecture Atlas’. This project focuses on post-independence architecture of Malaysia. During the process of digital archiving, the 3D models of the selected targets were generated for different purposes such as virtual reality, virtual tourism, serious games, etc. Selected targets for this study known as ‘Pekeliling Flats’, currently are being demolished. Therefore a decision was made to realise them for exhibition purposes, using 3D printing technology. The Initially-generated models were not meant to be used for 3D printing at least without major modifications. This study looks at different aspects of preparing a visualized architectural heritage model for 3D printing. Multiple approaches to 3D printing are examined to clarify the relationship between different purposes of 3D printing of architectural heritage and the design itself. It means only one method cannot be prescribed to deliver all objectives when it comes to architectural 3D printing. This can be extended to other industries but as long as this study deals with 3D printing of architectural heritage, the main focus is on the selected target. As mentioned earlier, the main objective of 3D printing of Pekeliling Flats was exhibition but considering the target audiences which can be museums, architecture schools and many others, different methods are presented in this study, which somehow can be used for other objectives rather than exhibition. This paper covers various types of 3D printing from small and large scale printing, Puzzle-based printing, including introducing some of the findings during modelling for 3D printing of the Pekeliling Flats. Some of these findings come from complexity of 3D printing process regarding many variables such as budget, time, size, workforce, material, purpose, etc. Also technical aspects of modeling for 3D printing such as instructional analysis and design, file formats, software integration, 3D printing equipment, etc., are explained. This study aims at providing an instructional protocol for preparing virtualized cultural heritage models to be realized using 3d printers. Autodesk 3D Studio Max 2014 (3DS Max 2014) was used for this study. Therefore most of the terms presented in this paper come from the software above.