QuickTime VR Artifact Photography Project
In 2003, the National Air and Space Museum embarked on the most comprehensive artifact digital photography project ever conducted. The preparation and movement of artifacts to the new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center presented a rare opportunity to photographically document a large portion of the museum's aircraft and space artifact collection, inside and out, before they are put on display and inaccessible for years to come.
The museum decided to photograph artifacts in extensive detail using state-of-the-art high resolution digital photography and Apple's QuickTime VR (QTVR) photographic immersive technology. QTVR allows for viewing of objects and interiors from all sides and can be downloaded for free on the web. The technology allows the Museum to give our visitors a look inside historic artifacts and the virtual experience of sitting in the pilot's seat.
The photographs and QTVR movies produced through this project represent not only a rich archival resource, but an invaluable outreach tool for educating Museum visitors about the aircraft and spacecraft in the National Collection.
This important effort requires additional funding to continue photography of objects moving into the Udvar-Hazy Center through 2008, as well as objects on display at the National Mall building.
View more QuickTime VR examples (requires free QuickTime Player to view). |
