Art Reproduction of Hand Carved Wooden Sculptures with 3D Printing
Artist Morgan Bulkeley, publisher Impress, Inc., the Berkshire Museum and Barnstorm Studio, LLC.
 Art to be 3d scannedComplex, nested, free moving, hand carved and painted wooden sculptures |  Challenge3D scan and print reproductions retaining similar function, detail and quality of commercial value to a museum |  Photogrammetry scannerMeasuring the distances of overlapping shadows with a camera, projector, turntable and commercial software |
|---|---|---|
 Resulting Point Cloud Model |  Extracted parts |  Scanning the second piece |
 Full color resultPhotogrammetry systems can also capture full color information to create an overlay pattern for display or 3d printing |  What a generated skin looks like |  Editing the model |
 Editing the tessellated meshClosing holes and removing scan defects |  Preliminary resultsComputer Aided Design (CAD) models |  Preparing the modelsSoftware calculates the movements of the 3D printing system to maximize efficiency |
 Test printingTo determine if the model has any problems that would prevent large scale production |  Finished printNote support materials that hold nested parts in place |  Support material removedNested parts move freely within the print |
 Slight print errorsThis resulted from lack of build plate adhesion and heat transfer at the base of the print |  Hypothesis confirmed3D Printed reproductions retain similar function, detail and quality to be of commercial value. Direct full color printing is possible with additional technologies and processes. |  Sample from NYC |
 Final 3D printed proof |  Workflow proofs |  Lots of 3D prints! |
 Masking areas to be painted |  Ready for spray painting |  Spray painting |
 In process |  Finished Whimsies |  The art of Morgan Bulkeley |
 Whimsy available for purchase |
The Project
We were contacted by a local publisher, Impress, Inc. to determine whether it would be possible to 3D print reproductions of the hand carved wooden sculptures of artist Morgan Bulkeley. Because cateloging and preserving art is an important application of 3D technologies, we were excited about the opportunity. Indeed, 3D printing is gaining ground as a viable, cost effective method for preserving some of the worlds most valuable and imperilled artifacts, why not demonstrate how it can be used by artists and creatives of all levels to commercialize their works.
During our initial interview with Hans Teensma, proprietor of Impress, we introduced technologies like Computational Hydrographics, and Thermoforming, methods for transfering full color films onto 3d printed objects. Using processes similar to commercial cell-phone dipping, it would be possible to reproduce Bulkeley's Masks and Relief Paintings, resulting in high quality reproductions suitable for museum gift shops and galleries. An important source of funding for these venues and the artists and public they serve.
Additional application for 3D technologies, beyond commercial reproduction and preservation are many. For example, 3D printed textural canvases and reproductions could present a unique opportunities for museums to offer installations for the blind or people with sensory integration disorders. In these instances patrons would be encouraged to touch paintings and reproductions for a change, feeling what artist themselves experience as they worked. The 3 dimensional aspect of creation, not just the visual.
For a White Paper describing the economics of this project please follow this link.