At the Kyoto Cultural Museum, designated as an Important Cultural Property, a small and lightweight 3D laser scanner, the「Leica BLK360」was used for surveying. The data obtained was processed with InfiPoints (a product by Elysion Inc.) and exported to VR. The resulting VR content was made available to visitors at the exhibition, allowing them to experience a virtual tour of areas typically off-limits, such as the attic, thus beginning to utilize point cloud data not only for cultural heritage preservation but also as a new method of exhibition.
Rapid 3D Measurement of Important Cultural Property
The Kyoto Cultural Museum, which opened in 1988, is a comprehensive cultural facility that introduces the history and culture of Kyoto in an easy-to-understand manner. The annex, a modern Western-style building designed by the eminent Meiji-era architects Kingo Tatsuno and his disciple Uheiji Nagano, was once the Kyoto branch of the Bank of Japan and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
In collaboration with Leica Geosystems, Elysion Inc., Kobe Seiko Corporation, and the Kyoto Land and House Surveyors Association, the Kyoto Cultural Museum used the small and lightweight 3D laser scanner "Leica BLK360" in May 2019 to survey the exterior, interior hall, and attic of the annex. The massive amount of point cloud data collected was processed with Elysion's InfiPoints, and the final VR data product was created to view the annex in VR.
Regarding the BLK360 used for the survey, Masakage Murano, a curator at the Kyoto Cultural Museum, shared his impressions: "Astonishingly, each scan took only about 3-5 minutes. This time includes not only the survey but also the photography of the measured points. We operated four scanners, including this one, and completed the survey of the exterior, interior hall, and attic of the annex in almost one day. It was indeed an amazing speed."
Measurement of the Roof and Exterior Walls of the Kyoto Cultural Museum Annex with BLK360
Point Cloud Data of the Kyoto Cultural Museum Acquired with BLK360
Promoting the Appeal of the Museum through New Exhibition Methods, Including the Surrounding Scenery
The completed VR content was utilized as a new exhibition method at the "100th Anniversary of Kingo Tatsuno's Death: Modern Architecture and Regional Projects Exhibition in the Bunkyo District," held from August to October 2019. Visitors experienced the digital space virtually through a head-mounted display connected to a computer.
Regarding the background of this VR exhibition, Mr. Murano said, "Museums today are expected to serve an expanded role that includes not only the materials within their storage but also the surrounding landscape. This expanded role of museums was also a topic of discussion at the International Council of Museums (ICOM) held in Japan for the first time, which took place concurrently with our exhibition. The museum community is undergoing a period of transformation, and in this context, the annex of our museum is becoming increasingly important as a subject of museum activities. With the cooperation of Elysion and Leica Geosystems, we were able to take on a challenge that is rarely attempted by other museums."
About the VR data created from point clouds, Mr. Murano stated, "It's essentially a highly precise replica constructed in a virtual space. Movement within the digital data space is unrestricted, allowing for actions that are impossible in the real world, such as flying around the building like a bird or accessing typically off-limits areas like the attic."
VR Exhibition Using Head-Mounted Display (Provided by Elysion Inc.)
Additionally, to make the 3D point cloud virtual tour easily accessible to everyone at the exhibition, a new program was developed that automatically moves along three pre-set routes. Route 1 allows visitors to look around the interior of the annex. Route 2 starts from the front, moves inside, floats up, passes through the ceiling, and moves to the attic, showing the wooden structure supporting the roof. Route 3 lets visitors experience the path of light as sunlight enters through the roof windows, reflects off the whiteboard installed in the attic, and softly illuminates the interior.
Video of the Point Cloud Data of the Kyoto Cultural Museum Annex Processed with InfiPoints(Elysion Inc.'s Website)
"During the exhibition, even locals who are familiar with the building experienced the VR. They were impressed by the ability to view the slate roof closely and fly around the building like a bird, seeing both the interior and exterior. Additionally, a visitor in a wheelchair commented that it felt like they could move around freely inside the museum. VR might also contribute to accessibility. Many domestic and international experts attending the International Council of Museums held concurrently also experienced the VR, and we received many specific questions about the creation and cost of 3D data. The exhibition was significant in proposing 3D measurement of cultural properties as a new research method and VR utilization as a new exhibition method," said Mr. Murano regarding the outcomes of the VR exhibition.
Considering Further Efforts in 3D Measurement and VR Technology for Both Exhibition and Cultural Property Preservation
"Point cloud data can be used for research on building structures, explaining visually complex areas in 2D floor plans, understanding changes in the state of components, and accurately determining the locations that need preservation. We also learned that VR spaces using point cloud data can already facilitate discussions with researchers worldwide. Just as the use of point clouds is expanding in fields like architecture and plants, the potential for their use in cultural properties can also expand significantly depending on our imagination. We intend to continue actively incorporating 3D measurement and VR technology to enhance both attractive public exhibitions and efficient cultural property research," Mr. Murano expressed his expectations for further utilization.
（1）The 3D measurement was carried out as part of the joint research project "Scientific Investigation to Promote the Utilization of Cultural Properties" led by Professor Toshiya Matsui of the University of Tsukuba.
