Towards greater reality in virtual heritage. Modelling the frigate HMS Unicorn

Summary form only given. Much of the work in virtual heritage to date has been of a similar type of object: castles, stone circles, temples, ancient cities, etc. These have been variously successful, providing the viewer with a realistic insight into what lost structures would perhaps have looked like when they stood complete. It was decided to model a sailing ship, the Frigate Unicorn, whose hull lies in Dundee Harbour. This model proved a much more difficult task than a simple building. A mediaeval European castle doesn't move, is made up of simple surfaces and reflects a build designed for defence rather than artistic statements. It is relatively simple to construct a 3D building from a plan and wallpaper this with pictures of suitable stonework or harling. However, a sailing ship has no flat surfaces, all are curved: decks rise towards the centreline, the hull follows a curved shape, masts taper, sails billow, etc. To achieve realism in real-time movement involving the extensive of nurbs is difficult. Also a ship's deck is naturally cluttered with ropes, poles, sails and other paraphernalia occupying much of the deck space. These add to the polygon count, adding further to the problems associated with real-time movement. Even once rigged and completed to the satisfaction of the eye, the ship still does not look realistic. It needs to move against a backdrop of land, sky and sea.