The School Programme reflected the tutors' expertise in 3D documentation and visual representation for archaeology, historic buildings, museums and historical research. Through a combination of demonstrations, workshops, lectures and field trips, the School provided a sound overview of the range of digital visualisation technologies and methods used in the cultural heritage and virtual museums areas. Postgraduate students, early-career researchers and cultural heritage professionals were particularly encouraged to attend. International participants were welcome if proficient in English.
The School gave an introduction to key methods (including 3D modelling, image-based virtual restoration, photogrammetry, 3D scanning, and virtual worlds) and critical issues (including the ethics of restoration and principles of digital preservation) that reflected the internationally-recognised standard of best practice in the field as articulated by the London Charter for the Computer-based Visualisation of Cultural Heritage. Participants learned how artefacts and sites can be captured, enhanced and augmented by digital visualisation methods, documented to preserve interpretative processes, and published to benefit understandings and experiences of cultural heritage.
Half-day and Full-day Paths
Half-day participants (morning only) attended lectures, demonstrators and field trips, Monday to Thursday in each of the two weeks of the School, introducing topics such as: Cultural Heritage Visualisation; The London Charter and Seville Principles; Onsite Capture and Digitisation; Virtual Museums; Handling and Scanning Museum Artefacts; Planning and Managing Research and Commercial Visualisation Projects; Photogrammetry; Ethics of Heritage Visualisation; Digital Maps and Geomatic Information Systems; Digital Preservation; Augmented Museums; Virtual Worlds and Real-time Platforms. There was an optional day-trip on Saturday 15th September. Participants also had the opportunity to have scheduled, one-to-one consultations with tutors relating to their own specific interests or projects.
Full-day participants (mornings and afternoons), in addition to attending the sessions described above, also received intensive practical training in virtual restoration and reconstruction following London Charter principles. Using freely-available (Open-Source) software, namely: GIMP (image editing) and Blender (3D modelling), they undertook a group project in which they captured and digitally augmented a small, historic site in London; they practiced implementing London Charter-compliant documentation using a provided blogging tool. The use of Open-Source software ensured that the participants were able to pursue heritage visualisation after the School ended without the need to purchase commercial programs. Full-day participants were therefore required to bring their own laptops to work on, with a three-button mouse and Blender and GIMP software pre-installed (instructions and tutorials were provided upon registration for the School). Previous experience of heritage visualisation was welcome but not required.
Cost
Half-day: £150
Full-day: £350
The School organisers were unable to offer financial support with fees, travel or accommodation.
Duration
Half-day: 10th–13th and 17th–20th (and, optionally 15th) September 2012
Full-day: 10th-20th (excluding 16th) September 2012
Language
English (materials published in English)
Travel and Accommodation
Participants were required to make their own arrangements. Summer accommodation in London could be booked online, subject to availability, through King's College Student Services.
For more information please contact the School Director:
Dr Anna Bentkowska-Kafel, Department of Digital Humanities,
King's College London, 26-29 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5RL, Tel: +44(0)20 7848 1421; anna.bentkowska@kcl.ac.uk
