Project Detail

Archaeological analysis of ancient artifact morphology, such as pottery, and the technological traditions that produced these has often been limited to 2D drawings, photographs, and manual measurements, because these were the only available means of recording these 3D artifacts. However, recent advances in 3D digitization and computer-aided graphic design (CAGD) are now facilitating the capture and study of three dimensional aspects of pottery and other artifacts.

Visual Query Interface

3D modeling for analysis and archiving of ceramic vessel morphology.

Lead: Femiani, John
RA: Uppalapati, Subhash
Sponsor: Archaeological Research Institute
Date: 05/19/2008 - 08/15/2008

Abstract

The Visual Query system we have created permits users to input, analyze, refine and limit searches via interaction with a Graphic User Interface (GUI). The initial query request can be made in a variety of modes including text, vector graphics, and interactive 2D and 3D models. The user can manipulate and resubmit the query image in real time to refine searches. The interface includes fast interactive surface and volume visualization capabilities and quantification tools to extract curvature, volume, scale, and linear dimensions for each data set.

3D digitizing and indexing of archeological artifacts and associated metadata.

Descriptive elements of ceramic vessel.

The research intent for the interface is to enable the highest degree of interactivity possible with complex 3D data while avoiding steep user learning curves. This means understanding not only the science and art of interface design, but developing an appreciation of the cognitive complexity of the user's dynamic relationship to the databases. The prototype interface design is currently being evaluated by web designers, anthropologists, and general users. As additional models , such as lithic and bone data become available the interface, and related tool sets and capabilities will continue to evolve.

The query process combines a sketch-based interface and searches by traditional text and metric data. Representative vessel shapes can be selected from the supplied palette and modified, or a freeform profile sketch can be created in the interface window. Text and numeric fields support parallel query of descriptive and derived data within the databases.

About the ASSET student

Subhash joined the Division of Computing Studies as a Master's student in Fall 2007. His major is Software Engineering. He worked as a Research Assistant in the I3DEA lab with Dr. Anshuman Razdan. He worked as a software engineer in Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTS) for more than two years prior to his master's. His interests lie in web application development and distributed web applications. His hobbies are reading books and playing cricket.

Related Publications

Advances in Geometric Modeling and Feature Extraction on Pots, Rocks and Bones for Representation and Query via the Internet

Using Geometric Modeling for Archiving and Searching 3D Archaeological Vessels

A 3D Digital Library System: Capture, Analysis, Query, and Display

Palaeolithic Archaeology and 3D Visualization Technology: Recent Developments

A Hybrid Approach to Feature Segmentation of 3-Dimensional Meshes

3D Modeling for Analysis and Archiving of Ceramic Vessel Morphology: A Case Study from the American Southwest

Acquisition, Representation, Query and Analysis of Spatial Data: a Demonstration 3D Digital Library

A Prototype Digital Library For 3D Collections: Tools To Capture, Model, Analyze, and Query Complex 3D Data

3D VQI: 3D Visual Query Interface