ABOUT QUALITY AND PROPERTIES OF DIGITAL ARTIFACTS

Abstract

Any form of use of virtual reality or augmented reality in history and archaeology is based on 3D digitized models that are obtained in various ways (3D modeling, 3D scanning, photogrammetry, etc.). These represent virtual replicas of real artifacts/monuments. In the authors’ vision, a digital artifact is represented by the digitized form of a historical artifact/monument. A virtual artifact is a concept that embodies not only the digital form, but also includes metadata, interactive elements, feedback elements, multimedia files, etc. coupled with stereo vision and the ability to interact with them by specific methods involving VR/AR. The quality of the 3D models used in AR/VR applications is influencing the visual experience of the users, and this represents a property of a virtual artifact that can be defined and quantified. The authors propose the introduction of the maximum permissible deviation term as the unit of measurement for the fidelity of the digitized 3D model. The quality of a 3D model does not depend only on the precision of the instrument/equipment used in the primary digitization phase and subsequent operations but also on operations prior to this step, such as mesh creation, surface creation, solid generation, optimization etc. The quality of the virtual/digital model is influenced not only by the methods used in order to obtain the 3D model, but also by the purpose for which it will be used (level of details are influenced by the limited amount of storage capabilities on some devices – AR). Other properties of a 3D model will be defined and exemplified, such as the traceability of the digital/virtual artifact, compatibility, interactivity and portability. The case study presented in this paper concerns the study of Dacian civilization from the Orastiei Mountains (the ancestors of the Romanian people) and represents the effort of an interdisciplinary team’s work.