TouchTree Solution Clone with Tooltips – 3D Print and Visual Descriptions

Solution:

Step 1: 3D print a reproduction of the museum object that is scaled to fit in the visitor’s hands.

Some considerations for 3D printing:

  • 3D scans of museum objects can be scaled up or down so they’re more accessible to touch (Race et al.).
  • To get an accurate 3D print (marks, cuts, stipulations), you will need a high resolution 3D scan of your museum object (Race et al.).
  • It’s easy to replace broken parts of a 3D print by printing a replacement component (Museum Next 2020).
  • 3D prints can be stored in a separate room and circulated whenever needed (Museum Next 2020).
  • 3D prints may not effectively replicate the same feel and texture of the original museum object, since they are made of varying types of plastic (Museum Next 2020).
  • Museums may need to establish connections with companies or educational institutions that offer 3D scanning and printing facilities. Alternatively, museums may consider developing an in-house team to facilitate an ongoing collection of 3D printed touch objects.

 

 

Step 2: Provide visual descriptionsNon-visual language that conveys the visual world; can be used to navigate a visitor through a museum, orient a listener to a work of art, or provide access to the visual aspects of a performance (Art Beyond Sight, “Verbal Description Training”) of the original museum object and 3D print.

 

 

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Restart Decision Tree

RESPONSE RECORD

  1. “Yes” to “Is the museum object three-dimensional?”
  2. “No” to “Can the visitor touch the museum object directly?”
  3. “No” to “Can you commission someone to create a replica of the museum object?”
  4. “No” to “Does an accurate reproduction of the museum object already exist?”
  5. “Yes” to “Is it important for the visitor to understand the museum object’s texture?”
  6. “No” to “Does the museum object have to convey important processes, like physical mechanisms or artistic techniques?”
  7. Solution: 3D print a reproduction of the museum object that is scaled to fit in the visitor’s hands. Provide visual descriptions of the original museum object and 3D print.