Born digital 3D objects: in search of an open format

Presentation held at DISH2009 Henk Vanstappen, NAi

0_Contents

• Information level vs. Open formats

• Preservation formats for 3D CAD models

• Dissemination formats for 3D models

• Some conclusions

1_Information level dilemma

• Intellectual content

• Look & feel

• Functionality

• Software

• Hardware

1_Information level dilemma

• Intellectual content

• Look & feel

• Functionality

• Software

• Hardware

> ASCII

> PDF/A

> .doc

> Word for DOS

> Intel 386, VGA

1_Information level dilemma

• Intellectual content

• Look & feel

• Functionality

• Software

• Hardware

> Open formats

> Proprietary formats

> Emulation

> Computer museum

2_Case: Van Abbemuseum

Abel Cahen

staal1.dwg

Floppy 3.5

ca. 1994

Intel 386

Windows 3.1

3_Identify format: DROID

3_Identify format: Pronom

4_Reading files: DWG Viewer

4_Reading files: Rhino

4_Reading files: ArchiCAD

4_Reading files: ArchiCAD

4_Reading files: AutoCAD 2008

5_Preservation format

5_Preservation format

• IGES, STEP, DXF, OpenDWG, PDF, PDF/A, X3D, SVG, COLLADA, ...

• Future developments ?

• None supports all features

• None supports all translations

6_Dissemination format

6_Dissemination format

Wishlist:

• Open format

• Browser independent

• No plugins

• High information level

6_Raster image: JPG

6_MPEG

6_DWF in IE

6_DWF in Freewheel

6_DWF in Freewheel

6_Sketchup

6_GoogleEarth

7_Conclusions

• Keep original file as is

• Use multiple preservation formats

• Need for open preservation format

• Need for open dissemination format

• Technology watch

• Information loss is inevitable

Digitaliseringsbeleid NAi 26

Questions ?