Archaeology and X3D

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Archaeology and X3D
Presented at Digital Archaeology An Indo-Us
Science and Technology Forum Moussoorie, India
November 11-13, 2005 http//atl.ndsu.edu/india2005
/

• Aaron Bergstrom
• Computer Visualization Manager
• Archaeology Technologies Laboratory
• North Dakota State University Fargo, ND

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Archaeology VisualizationIssues

• Access to Software
• Modeling
• Viewing
• Training
• Cost

One Approach Use of X3D
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What is X3D?

• Web3D Consortium
• 3D File Format
• Real-Time Communication
• Variety of Uses
• Successor to VRML97

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X3D File Types

• XML Encoding (.x3d)
• Classic Encoding (.x3dv)
• Binary Encoding (.x3db)

http//www.web3d.org/x3d/x3d_vs_vrml.html
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Easy Conversion

• VRML 2.0 HeaderVRML V2.0 utf8
• X3DV HeaderX3D V3.0 utf8PROFILE Immersive

http//www.web3d.org/x3d/x3d_vs_vrml.html
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New Features - NURBS

• NURB Modeling Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline

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New Features H-Anim

• H-Anim Character Skinning Humanoid Animation

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New Feature - MultiTexture

• MultiTexture
• Shadow, Light, and Normal Maps

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Other New Features

• Metadata Information about the reconstruction
• Sensors Keyboard, String
• Extensibility eXtensible 3D (X3D)

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Standards

• Open Standard
• Web3D Consortium Member Contributions
• International Standards Organization ISO
• Free Use
• Corporate Competition
• Sony COLLADA
• Intel U3D

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Amendment Process

• New Features Proposed
• Discussed by Working Groups
• Included in Amendment to ISO
• Amendment 1
• Grammar Corrections
• Specification Inconsistencies
• Amendment 2
• Many new Features

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Amendment 2 Features

• File Statements
• No Dashboard
• Overlay Graphics
• Gamepad Sensors
• RigidBody Physics
• Volume Rendering
• Particle Effects

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Binary Encoding

• Binary Compression of Text/XML Markup
• Binary Encoding (.x3db)
• 1/10th File Size of XML Markup (.x3d)
• 1/20th File Size if lossy compression is used

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Tools Content Creation

• X3D-Edit www.web3d.org Java-Based X3D Text
  Validator
• Flux Studio www.mediamachines.com
• X3D Authoring Application
• 100 for 5 Academic License
• 400 for 1 Commercial License
• Blender www.blender3d.com
• Fully Functional 3D Modeling Software
• Open Source

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Tools Content Creation

• 3D Studio Max
• Dave Arendash
• Open Source Plug-inhttp//www.unrealroc.com/MaxEx
  porter.html
• Maya Unlimited www.alias.com
• Archaeology Technologies Laboratory
• RawKee Open Source Plug-in
• Authoring Environment
• http//rawkee.sourceforge.net

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Alias Research Donation Program

• Eligibility
• University Research Only
• Peer Reviewed Publication
• Online Applicationhttp//www.alias.com/eng/about
  /research/donations/index.shtml

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Tools - Viewers

• Xj3D Open Source
• Flux Viewer
• Blaxxun Contact
• FreeWRL Open Source

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Purola temple platform, ca. 2000 BP, northern
India. Site as excavated (left) and through
preliminary computer simulation (right) through
US-India collaboration
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Plan view, with bricks numbered by layer.
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India 2005

• http//atl.ndsu.edu/india2005