Why Make Objects 3D?
Quicktime Object VR technology allows users to look at museum objects online in a significantly different way than they ever have before. In a physical museum, objects are usually behind glass, not to be touched, and visitors can often only see one side of a piece. Traditional online exhibits which show still images of objects have the same limitations. With a 3D model, however, users can see 360 degrees around an object. They can also zoom in on the piece. These features enable users to examine object intricacies in the same way a curator might. 3D modeling thus helps to deepen the user’s understanding of and knowledge about a particular object.
The Lincoln McLellan Collection is vast in its scope. There were many more objects that could have been included on the site. For the purposes of this project, however, only those objects which seemed to benefit from being represented in 3D were selected.
— Ann Johnson, May 2008