Virtual Museum-3-D fine art appreciation system

We have developed an interactive multimedia system for the appreciation of three-dimensional art objects, such as porcelain and sculptures. With the system, the viewer is able to see a representation of the object from various directions as if holding it in his/her hands. He/she can enjoy the object images on high-quality HDTV (Hi-Vision) display, with supplementary audio and written information about the object. This system consists of (1) a video server, to store the HDTV images of the fine arts, which have been shot from various paths around the fine arts at 0.2 degree intervals; (2) a specially designed manipulator to select a desired image from the server; and (3) an HDTV or stereoscopic HDTV display, and accompanying spectacles. The HDTV video server can randomly access data at a video rate (1/60 sec), so as to quickly respond to the operations of the manipulator. The experimental system has been tested by many artists and scientists for operability and effectiveness, and has been confirmed as useful for art galleries and other educational institutions.