In this “creating digital collections” course, we have gained invaluable insights and knowledge into photographing an object and creating a 3D model. Throughout the daily group work and several practices, we also improved our technical skills in Metashape and Voyager. It is important to follow photographic rules to get ideal pictures and capture details from every angle. When the toy is made of plastic, it should pay more attention to adding texture by using spray and powder. Moreover, employing markers on monochromic objects is an effective way to make the program align successfully. If we could implement three key tips from the beginning of our photography process, it could have saved lots of time and enhanced the efficiency of our work.
Beyond these physical solutions, it is important to explore different digital tools in Metashape, such as the function of closing holes and smoothing models. Only by combining both physical and digital solutions can we achieve a more refined model.
Ultimately, the creation of this 3D model made us aware of the way certain aspects of the original are removed and gained by making a digital replica. You might lose the sense of touch, smell, or perhaps even taste, but you gain a certain freedom as the digital model can be distributed everywhere and thus becomes more tangible. As such, the aura of the 3D model might be different from the physical figurine, but it is just as valuable.