Interactive Vase: A 3D Case Study
After 3D capturing the object and annotating it with instructional hotspots, we arrive at this final interactive experience. This demo bridges the gap between passive viewing and active inquiry. By manipulating the object, students engage in haptic learning and spatial reasoning—pedagogical benefits that 2D images cannot provide.
Controls:
Click on the nodes to read the annotations
Click on the arrow buttons to scroll through the annotations
Move: use W,A,S,D or arrow keys to move
Orbit (Rotate): Left-click and drag. This spins the camera around the model.
Pan: Right-click and drag (or use Ctrl + Left-click). This slides the camera view up, down, left, or right without rotating.
Zoom: Use the scroll wheel. If you are on a trackpad, use a two-finger pinch or swipe.
Focus/Recenter: Double-click on any part of the model. This moves the "pivot point" to that exact spot, making it easier to inspect fine details
How this scan was created:
Scanning Process
This scan was created by using the Polycam app on a smartphone. This process is outlined in the Photogrammetry tutorial.
Annotation
The 3D model was downloaded from Polycam and imported to Sketchfab, as referenced in the 3D model annotation tutorial.
Student Activity Examples
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Encourage students to discover smaller, crucial details that complete the object's narrative.
- The Double Life: Rotate the vase 180 degrees to shift focus between the life of Alberto Ayala in Puerto Rico and his work in Philadelphia.
- The Frieze of Place: Zoom in on the vessel's neck and volutes. Identify the visual symbols Lugo uses to establish location.
Instructor Insight: Seeing Beyond the First View
Students often form impressions based on what they see first. By rotating and exploring the object, they uncover details that might otherwise be overlooked and develop a more complete understanding of the artifact. -
Focus on the historical and cultural influences woven into the vase's form and decorative elements.
- Ancient Inspiration: Identify the Greek-style ornamentation. Locate a palmette and a meander.
- Contemporary Motifs: Locate motifs related to Lugo's life in Philadelphia.
Instructor Insight: Connecting Past and Present
By comparing historical and contemporary symbols, students can see how artists draw upon, reinterpret, and respond to earlier cultural traditions. -
Investigate the artist's craftsmanship and consider how scale influences the viewing experience.
- The Hand of the Artist: Zoom in on a heavily ornamented area. What do imperfections reveal about the medium of ceramics?
- Scale and Impact: Zoom out to view the entire vase. Does the detail work enhance or compete with the main narrative scenes?
Instructor Insight: From Detail to Whole
Students can easily move between close inspection and broader observation, helping them consider how individual design choices contribute to the overall impact of the object.