The cultural heritage of Kazakhstan in 3D-models
Today in the global network you can find thousands of digitized museum exhibits, as well as huge 3D models of religious buildings and complexes of Kazakhstan. And while the work on "digitalization" of the cultural heritage of the Republic continues, we will describe how LANIT-Integration, together with colleagues from United 3D Labs, solved the problem of building 3D models according to the state program "Sacred Kazakhstan".
State Historical and Cultural Reserve-Museum "Azret-Sultan"
The Republic of Kazakhstan has a rich history, but even those who live in this country are far from always able to visit all places of worship: sometimes it’s not easy to get to unique memorial complexes scattered throughout the state. Meanwhile, 234 state museums operate in the republic, in which there are more than 2,500,000 exhibits. There is no way to show them all due to limited space, and exhibits in storage rooms are not always able to be stored properly, and over time they may lose their appearance or simply be destroyed under the influence of external factors. By the decision of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, in 2017, a program was launched to convert all this property into digital format, in order to preserve for future generations and to enable the whole world to get acquainted with the rich culture of Kazakhstan. This practice exists today in many countries, because both time and weather events and, unfortunately, people themselves destroy unique architectural objects and cultural artifacts.
A digital copy is the only way to preserve history, and modern methods of digitization allow you to get high-precision models that can be used for scientific purposes, while simplified digital copies are perfect for "remote visiting museums."
The goals of creating the State Catalog of the Museum Fund of the Republic of Kazakhstan were several at once. The main issue was the popularization of cultural values of the republic among the general population. The information portals created and already functioning today allow literally "everyone and everyone" to independently familiarize themselves with objects, costumes and other finds of historical value.
The catalog would allow residents of Kazakhstan and other countries at any time to get acquainted with 3D models of various museum exhibits (from miniature brooches to huge statues and entire memorial complexes), regardless of their location.
In parallel with the launch of the project, the prospect of using 3D models in secondary schools in Kazakhstan at lessons on the history of the country, as well as in higher education institutions, was discussed. The latter plan to use the catalog to exchange data with foreign colleagues, conduct research and acquaint students with historical relics.
A detailed electronic copy with a clear description of the shape, properties and texture also greatly simplifies the restoration work, if necessary. Even with lost elements, the high accuracy of part restoration allows restorers to create identical coatings while maintaining historical authenticity. But in the event of theft or destruction of cultural heritage objects according to the 3D model, they can be recreated or, for example, printed on a 3D printer.
In addition to digitizing museum exhibits located in museum rooms and storage rooms, the Sacred Kazakhstan program was launched at the same time, within the framework of which it was decided to create 3D models of various cultural objects - from mausoleums and tombs to mosques and memorial complexes. This project included 135 sites located in different parts of the country. Among them:
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi - a mausoleum on the grave of the poet and preacher Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, located in the city of Turkestan in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan. It is the central object in the territory of the historical and cultural museum-reserve "Hazret-Sultan".
Mausoleum of Karakhan. Built over the grave of one of the representatives of the Karakhanid dynasty. The 11th-century architectural monument is located in the Kazakh city of Taraz in a park at the intersection of Tole Bi and Bayzak Batyr Streets.
3D-Model of the Mausoleum of Karakhan
The Mausoleum of Dzhuchi Khan (Kaz. Zhoshy Khan Kesenesі) is a 13th-century architectural monument located in the Ulytau district of the Karaganda region 50 km north-east of Zhezkazgan. According to legend, the eldest son of Genghis Khan, Jochi, is buried in the mausoleum. Since 1982, the monument has been under state protection.
The problem was that almost all the historical monuments of the project are located in extremely remote places of Kazakhstan. To collect the primary data, it was necessary to equip full-fledged research expeditions, which needed to meet the entire survey in a short time. Due to severe weather and temperature conditions in the steppe regions, the time for the expedition was limited. Our team of specialists quickly digitized objects of cultural heritage, traveling hundreds of kilometers and shooting several hours a day.
We spent more than 4 months in continuous trips, adding 8,000 kilometers on the tachometer of the car. But as a result, a really huge amount of source data was created: several dozen terabytes were first transferred to storage, and then processed on specialized servers and workstations.
Road to Turkestan
Boundless steppes
The equipment is securely packaged and ready for transport
Oleg, chief specialist in post-processing, is engaged in loading operations.
Unplanned stop
Konstantin, chief specialist in photogrammetry. Mausoleum of Alash Khan
Photogrammetry of the local fauna
Jochi Khan Mausoleum Shooting
Ilya is the chief engineer of the project and our main pilot. Jochi Khan Mausoleum Shooting
The digitization of the Kazakh cultural heritage was carried out by 3D-modeling based on the "point cloud" obtained from the scanner. Such models are most valuable because, unlike traditional measurement methods, they reflect the texture of an object with maximum detail. As a result, scientists and museum workers can accurately determine the properties of the object and the features of the performance technique according to the final result of digitization.
In order to create such three-dimensional models, three types of equipment were used. To digitize the architectural structures, a FARO Focus ground-based laser scanner was used, giving a resolution of 3 mm at a distance of 50 meters. The maximum accuracy of this scanner is 1 mm, and the maximum range (which is important for large objects) is 350 m. The scanner is installed on the floor or on the ground, and then it moves around the object, creating a cloud of points from different sides of the view.
However, particular difficulty arose when digitizing ultra-small exhibits, as well as details of clothing, metal objects, multilayer objects (such as suits) and exhibits, when working with which it is necessary to withstand special environmental conditions. In these cases, Artec Spider handheld laser scanners with a resolution of 0.1 mm and Arcet Eva with a resolution of 0.5 mm were used. With this “weapon” in our hands, our team from LANIT Integration and United 3D Labs closely studied the reliefs of objects in order to recreate the most detailed point cloud.
The necessary textures were extracted from photographs of objects, which were subsequently superimposed on the 3D model. This technique ensures the photorealistic quality of the resulting models, and the original high-resolution model is an absolute copy of the object, it is possible to study in detail each brick of the structure. In particular, the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II cameras were used to shoot textures of objects, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV - for photogrammetry. When it came to buildings and memorial complexes, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro quadrocopter was used for shooting from the air.
And if scanning could be carried out under almost any weather conditions and light levels, the preparation of materials for creating textures required uniform diffused lighting.
An element of the lighting system during the shooting of the Mausoleum of Alash Khan
Therefore, the shooting of one architectural object had to be completed in one day, under similar conditions. Otherwise, all the work done could be wasted, and we would get “striped” textures like on Google Maps. As for indoor work, for shooting textures it was also required to ensure uniform and identical illumination of the object, and for this additional lighting devices were installed.
After the material was shot, and point clouds formed for the objects, modeling took place. For this, servers, workstations and software were used. In total, more than 8 months of work were spent on the processes of processing, creating models, and programming.
3D scanning process visualization
Demo portal
Initially, the customer put forward requirements for the reliability, effectiveness and redundancy of the simulation. That is, all created models had to match the originals with millimeter accuracy, and the textures should completely match the originals. Moreover, in the case of modeling in virtual reality, users should have received no less impressions than from a real visit to historical monuments. By the way, the initiators of the project themselves consider it a great value to “visit” historical places, places of power located in remote places of the country using virtual reality glasses.
In order to fulfill these conditions when forming the technical task, the accuracy of creating digital copies was so high that it exceeds the video display capabilities of any VR equipment, not only existing today, but with a margin for the future. Thanks to this, the new equipment will repeatedly reveal the potential of the created virtual exhibits. And if one day it will be possible to print the temple on a 3D printer, the formed models will allow you to recreate objects with full visual accuracy.
At the moment, an open portal is already being developed, where it will be possible to get an initial idea of all the exhibits. In the future, it is planned to create a network of virtual museums, where not only all museum funds will be available in electronic format, but also recordings of significant concerts and performances. The use of virtual reality glasses will allow you to go through all corners of architectural monuments without leaving anywhere. At the same time, the reliability of digital information is as high as possible, given the computing power of modern VR-complexes and personal computers.
In addition, a simplified virtual tour of the sacred places of Kazakhstan can now be taken on the open test portal of our colleagues from United 3D Labs.
3D-Model: Mausoleum of Bab Tukti Shashty Aziz
3D-Model: Inside the Mausoleum of Karahan
Preliminary 3D-model of the Arystan-Bab Mausoleum
The processing of the obtained materials when scanning the Mausoleum of Karasai and Agyntay batyr
Preliminary 3D-model of the Mausoleum of Karasai and Agyntay batyr
3D-model of Bekat Ata and the underground mosque of Ancient Beineu.
Meanwhile, several options for digital copies for various display systems allow using the created models for various demonstration scenarios. There are three levels of immersion in the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.
Inside the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi The
proven methodology has already proved its effectiveness and can be used to develop the museum industry in Russia or in other countries, creating detailed copies of exhibits for scientific work and preserving historical facts, as well as allowing you to “visit” the most interesting places even in hard-to-reach places areas in the form of simplified models from anywhere in the world. If earlier you had to make a long and difficult journey to see unique architectural objects, then very soon you will be able to travel on the Internet using full-fledged VR models of impressive objects of cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.
By the way, it is very pleasant that our project has recently become the winner of the PROIntegration Awards.
The Republic of Kazakhstan has a rich history, but even those who live in this country are far from always able to visit all places of worship: sometimes it’s not easy to get to unique memorial complexes scattered throughout the state. Meanwhile, 234 state museums operate in the republic, in which there are more than 2,500,000 exhibits. There is no way to show them all due to limited space, and exhibits in storage rooms are not always able to be stored properly, and over time they may lose their appearance or simply be destroyed under the influence of external factors. By the decision of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, in 2017, a program was launched to convert all this property into digital format, in order to preserve for future generations and to enable the whole world to get acquainted with the rich culture of Kazakhstan. This practice exists today in many countries, because both time and weather events and, unfortunately, people themselves destroy unique architectural objects and cultural artifacts.
A digital copy is the only way to preserve history, and modern methods of digitization allow you to get high-precision models that can be used for scientific purposes, while simplified digital copies are perfect for "remote visiting museums."
Digital Museums of Kazakhstan
The goals of creating the State Catalog of the Museum Fund of the Republic of Kazakhstan were several at once. The main issue was the popularization of cultural values of the republic among the general population. The information portals created and already functioning today allow literally "everyone and everyone" to independently familiarize themselves with objects, costumes and other finds of historical value.
The catalog would allow residents of Kazakhstan and other countries at any time to get acquainted with 3D models of various museum exhibits (from miniature brooches to huge statues and entire memorial complexes), regardless of their location.
In parallel with the launch of the project, the prospect of using 3D models in secondary schools in Kazakhstan at lessons on the history of the country, as well as in higher education institutions, was discussed. The latter plan to use the catalog to exchange data with foreign colleagues, conduct research and acquaint students with historical relics.
A detailed electronic copy with a clear description of the shape, properties and texture also greatly simplifies the restoration work, if necessary. Even with lost elements, the high accuracy of part restoration allows restorers to create identical coatings while maintaining historical authenticity. But in the event of theft or destruction of cultural heritage objects according to the 3D model, they can be recreated or, for example, printed on a 3D printer.
Really great job
In addition to digitizing museum exhibits located in museum rooms and storage rooms, the Sacred Kazakhstan program was launched at the same time, within the framework of which it was decided to create 3D models of various cultural objects - from mausoleums and tombs to mosques and memorial complexes. This project included 135 sites located in different parts of the country. Among them:
- Becket Ata and the underground mosque of ancient Beineu,
- Mausoleum of Mashkhur-Zhusup Kopeev,
- Historical and cultural complex of Abay "Zhidebay-Borili",
- Mausoleum of Bab Tukti Shashty Aziz,
- Historical complex "Bokey Ordasy",
- Mausoleums of Karasay and Agnytay batyr,
- Mausoleum Arystan Bab.
The problem was that almost all the historical monuments of the project are located in extremely remote places of Kazakhstan. To collect the primary data, it was necessary to equip full-fledged research expeditions, which needed to meet the entire survey in a short time. Due to severe weather and temperature conditions in the steppe regions, the time for the expedition was limited. Our team of specialists quickly digitized objects of cultural heritage, traveling hundreds of kilometers and shooting several hours a day.
We spent more than 4 months in continuous trips, adding 8,000 kilometers on the tachometer of the car. But as a result, a really huge amount of source data was created: several dozen terabytes were first transferred to storage, and then processed on specialized servers and workstations.
A bit about technology
The digitization of the Kazakh cultural heritage was carried out by 3D-modeling based on the "point cloud" obtained from the scanner. Such models are most valuable because, unlike traditional measurement methods, they reflect the texture of an object with maximum detail. As a result, scientists and museum workers can accurately determine the properties of the object and the features of the performance technique according to the final result of digitization.
In order to create such three-dimensional models, three types of equipment were used. To digitize the architectural structures, a FARO Focus ground-based laser scanner was used, giving a resolution of 3 mm at a distance of 50 meters. The maximum accuracy of this scanner is 1 mm, and the maximum range (which is important for large objects) is 350 m. The scanner is installed on the floor or on the ground, and then it moves around the object, creating a cloud of points from different sides of the view.
However, particular difficulty arose when digitizing ultra-small exhibits, as well as details of clothing, metal objects, multilayer objects (such as suits) and exhibits, when working with which it is necessary to withstand special environmental conditions. In these cases, Artec Spider handheld laser scanners with a resolution of 0.1 mm and Arcet Eva with a resolution of 0.5 mm were used. With this “weapon” in our hands, our team from LANIT Integration and United 3D Labs closely studied the reliefs of objects in order to recreate the most detailed point cloud.
The necessary textures were extracted from photographs of objects, which were subsequently superimposed on the 3D model. This technique ensures the photorealistic quality of the resulting models, and the original high-resolution model is an absolute copy of the object, it is possible to study in detail each brick of the structure. In particular, the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II cameras were used to shoot textures of objects, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV - for photogrammetry. When it came to buildings and memorial complexes, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro quadrocopter was used for shooting from the air.
And if scanning could be carried out under almost any weather conditions and light levels, the preparation of materials for creating textures required uniform diffused lighting.
Therefore, the shooting of one architectural object had to be completed in one day, under similar conditions. Otherwise, all the work done could be wasted, and we would get “striped” textures like on Google Maps. As for indoor work, for shooting textures it was also required to ensure uniform and identical illumination of the object, and for this additional lighting devices were installed.
After the material was shot, and point clouds formed for the objects, modeling took place. For this, servers, workstations and software were used. In total, more than 8 months of work were spent on the processes of processing, creating models, and programming.
results
Initially, the customer put forward requirements for the reliability, effectiveness and redundancy of the simulation. That is, all created models had to match the originals with millimeter accuracy, and the textures should completely match the originals. Moreover, in the case of modeling in virtual reality, users should have received no less impressions than from a real visit to historical monuments. By the way, the initiators of the project themselves consider it a great value to “visit” historical places, places of power located in remote places of the country using virtual reality glasses.
In order to fulfill these conditions when forming the technical task, the accuracy of creating digital copies was so high that it exceeds the video display capabilities of any VR equipment, not only existing today, but with a margin for the future. Thanks to this, the new equipment will repeatedly reveal the potential of the created virtual exhibits. And if one day it will be possible to print the temple on a 3D printer, the formed models will allow you to recreate objects with full visual accuracy.
At the moment, an open portal is already being developed, where it will be possible to get an initial idea of all the exhibits. In the future, it is planned to create a network of virtual museums, where not only all museum funds will be available in electronic format, but also recordings of significant concerts and performances. The use of virtual reality glasses will allow you to go through all corners of architectural monuments without leaving anywhere. At the same time, the reliability of digital information is as high as possible, given the computing power of modern VR-complexes and personal computers.
In addition, a simplified virtual tour of the sacred places of Kazakhstan can now be taken on the open test portal of our colleagues from United 3D Labs.
Meanwhile, several options for digital copies for various display systems allow using the created models for various demonstration scenarios. There are three levels of immersion in the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.
- In museums, city schools and specialized universities, as well as at home, a full virtual tour is possible, designed for viewing in VR glasses on a powerful PC or workstation.
- The simplified version has been adapted for Samsung Gear VR or HTC Focus glasses. It allows you to study exhibits and places of worship with minimal cost and is successfully used in educational institutions that do not have budgets for creating powerful VR-systems.
- The online version creates maximum user reach and accessibility for the widest population. To view these models, any not too old PC or smartphone is enough, but at the same time they have only basic functionality, not allowing you to plunge into the atmosphere of simulated objects.
proven methodology has already proved its effectiveness and can be used to develop the museum industry in Russia or in other countries, creating detailed copies of exhibits for scientific work and preserving historical facts, as well as allowing you to “visit” the most interesting places even in hard-to-reach places areas in the form of simplified models from anywhere in the world. If earlier you had to make a long and difficult journey to see unique architectural objects, then very soon you will be able to travel on the Internet using full-fledged VR models of impressive objects of cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.
By the way, it is very pleasant that our project has recently become the winner of the PROIntegration Awards.
And in our company there are vacancies.