International Reality Capture Workshop – October 10-22, 2016 – Information page

Introduction

The main purpose of this workshop is to provide an International educational experience in which students and professionals will learn to use innovative reality capture technologies and collaboratively produce three dimensional computer models of the ancient City of Volterra, its archaeological remains and some of its treasured artwork. This workshop will provide the participants hands-on experience in using drones and cameras to capture the city and some of its treasured artworks into digital models using photogrammetric technologies. Furthermore, the Volterra Residential College building will be captured in detail using laser scanning technologies and used to produce a highly detailed Building Information Model. The workshop will be led by subject matter specialists from Autodesk and Case Technologies and will take place at the Volterra International Residential College. It will provide an unprecedented opportunity for participants to learn hands-on about these new, innovative technologies while collaboratively producing digital replicas of one of the most beautiful cities in the world while living and working there for two weeks.

Register for the workshop here: International Reality Capture Workshop Registration page

Workshop partners:

Case Technologies, Inc.	Autodesk Inc.	3D Robotics
All drone operations in Volterra will be realized by APRFlytech (Milan, Italy)

Location:

The workshop will be held in Volterra, an ancient Etruscan town in the middle of Tuscany. The hill upon which the city is located has been inhabited continuously for 3000 years, and until today it bears witness to all periods of its development, through architecture, material culture and tradition. Please see the Volterra-Detroit Foundation website for more information about the city (www.volterra-detroit.org)

Subject Matter:
The workshop will focus on three distinct, yet related activities:

	1. City Model Will capture and model the entire city inside of the medieval wall (approx. 1/4 square miles) along with the Roman Theatre ruins which is just outside the wall. A perfectly sized area with rich architectural content, this area will be photographically captured via 3D Robotics (3DR) drones with cameras utilizing 3DR Site Scan technology and processed into three dimensional textured, mesh models using Autodesk ReCap Pro photogrammetric technology. The models will be compiled into an overall city model and combined with other features such as terrain, roadway and waterways obtained from GIS sources using Autodesk InfraWorks 360 technology. Potential uses for the end product would be a contextual model for city planning to utilize for new and retrofit projects, virtual tours for city public relations, travel and tourism, historical documentation and research and student design projects and other workshops, etc.
	2. Detailed Building Information Model Will capture and model the Volterra International Residential College in a high level of detail, where the participants will be staying and working. This building will be captured into detailed point clouds using laser scanning technology. The point clouds will be registered and processed into a model using Autodesk ReCap Pro technology and linked into Autodesk Revit software to be used to construct a detailed Building Information Model (BIM). This model will serve as a detailed virtual replica of the International Residential College facility and may be used by the Volterra-Detroit Foundation Management for maintenance and operations, future renovation projects and for public relations purposes.
	3. Art and Sculpture Models Will capture and model significant works of art and sculpture in the city of Volterra in a high level of detail. Significant, ancient works of art and sculpture housed at the Museum Guarnacci and various building ornamentations throughout the city will be photographically captured with high-resolution DSLR cameras and processed into three dimensional textured, mesh models using Autodesk ReCap Pro and ReCap Photo photogrammetric technology. Potential uses for the end product models would be virtual art exhibits, historical documentation, research and preservation, three dimensional printing of physical replicas, etc. Final list of exact subject matter will be produced by interest of the participants.

Who Should Attend?

Professionals and students who have an interest in extending their knowledge through hands-on educational application of emerging reality capture technologies for any or all the following applications:

• Architecture – Efficiently creating Building Information Models of existing structures for use in as-built documentation, facilities management and design retrofits from laser scans.
• Urban Design and Planning – Efficiently creating digital models of large, complex urban environments captured using photogrammetric technology via drones and combined with other site features using GIS data.
• Historical Preservation – Creation of photo-realistic digital models of historic structures and artifacts captured using photogrammetric technology via drones and laser scans that may be used to better document important works and for potential use in reconstruction.
• Archeology – Efficiently creating accurate digital representations of archeological sites such as the Roman Theater captured using photogrammetric technology via drones and laser scans. Also, combining known but buried archeological sites in a digital city model to better communicate the important history of cities.
• Art History – Creation of photo-realistic digital models of important historical works of art via photogrammetric technology and laser scans to better document, study and share the works of art. Also, digital models could be used to create physical replicas of the art that may be experienced by touch.
• Public Relations, Marketing, Tourism – Using all of these technological processes to better communicate the experience and rich history of a city.

Technology Skills Required

While we would prefer to have participants who are familiar with reality capture modeling processes, we will consider novices if there is space based on interest level. We will provide selected participants with introductory learning material on the software we will be using before the beginning of the workshop. Workshop Length and Format The workshop will take place over a 12 day period which will allow adequate time to produce the outlined subject matter and to provide the participants with hands on training and experience with all of the reality capture technologies and modeling software. Total number of workshop participants: 16-20 . Two instructors will lead two separate groups of participants who will focus on different subject matter and/or capture processes and modeling processes. Participants may shift between various processes to gain experience in all aspects or may choose to focus on particular aspects of interest. Final format will be determined via input from the participants and their specific interests.

Accommodations

All students and faculty will be accommodated at the Volterra International Residential College in the historic center of Volterra. Please visit the Volterra-Detroit Foundation website for more information about the facility. (https://volterra-detroit.org/2015/09/11/volterra-international-residential-college).

There is a communal kitchen at the facility where students and faculty can cook their own meals, or they can eat at the local restaurants (meal plan details are below). All team work and the presentations will be held in the same building (unless otherwise stated in the program schedule), in the academic facilities on the first floor.

Cost

The cost per student is:

$1125.00 (Double Room/Double Occupancy)
$1425.00 (Single Room/Single Occupancy – Limited to 3)

The fee covers the accommodation at the Volterra International Residential College and the workshop fee. The fee does not include students’ airfare and travel costs, food and health insurance.

The Volterra-Detroit Foundation will also offer an optional, flat rate pre-paid Meal Plan to the workshop participants, at a significant discount over the regular prices; and which is realized at a selected restaurant in Volterra. The cost of the Meal Plan is $725.00 per student and includes breakfast, lunch, aperitif and dinner with one glass of wine.

Additional Activities

Optional day-trips to surrounding cities such as Sienna, Pisa and Florence may be offered to participants based on interest at additional, but discounted costs through the Volterra-Detroit Foundation.

Workshop Leaders/Instructors

• Mark Dietrick, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP Director of Services, Case Technologies, Inc.
• Tristan Randall Strategic Projects Executive, Autodesk

Language

Workshop training and communications will be conducted in English.

Hardware/Software Required

All participants are required to bring their own laptop computer that meet the system requirements and are pre-loaded with the following software which will be provided to all who are accepted into the workshop (for use during the workshop only):

• Autodesk ReCap Pro
• Autodesk ReCap Photo
• Autodesk Infraworks 360
• Autodesk Civil 3D 2017
• Autodesk Building Design Suite 2017

End Product

In additional to the potential uses of the subject matters listed above, a final comprehensive report will be developed that will capture the process and results of the workshop and will be provided to all participants and partners. All participants will be permitted to utilize any data produced for PR and Marketing purposes.

Workshop Partners

• Case Technologies, Inc.
• Autodesk, Inc.
• 3D Robotics

Registration Schedule
Register for the workshop here: International Reality Capture Workshop Registration page

If you have any questions please send email to mark.dietrick(at)casetech.com.