Case Study: UCLA preserves Maya artifacts and creates a virtual museum with 3D Systems' Geomagic software

3D Reverse Engineering Software Helps UCLA Lab Create Virtual Museum

UCLA’s Digital Archaeology Lab, working with 3D Systems’ Geomagic software, set out to preserve and share Belize’s Maya artifacts and sites that were largely inaccessible to local communities and researchers. The challenge was to create highly accurate, distributable digital records that capture both the geometry and textures of fragile, centuries-old objects so they could be studied, displayed and archived without risking the originals.

Using a white‑light scanner and a 3D reverse‑engineering workflow, researchers converted scans into point clouds and used Geomagic Wrap to clean data and align textures to within .010" of the originals. The team digitized 75 artifacts, produced interactive CD‑ROMs and online “virtual museum” content, enabled precise measurements and 3D printing for education and display, and created a durable, accessible archival standard for Belize’s cultural heritage.

UCLA

Louise Krasniewicz

Director of Digital Archeology Lab