A CG artist's impression: depicting virtual reconstructions using non-photorealistic rendering techniques

Frankland, T.J. (2010) A CG artist's impression: depicting virtual reconstructions using non-photorealistic rendering techniques. In, Thinking Beyond the Tool: Archaeological Computing and the Interpretative Process. Oxford, GB. Archaeopress. (In Press)

Abstract

Archaeologists have been creating virtual reconstructions for over thirty years, yet despite numerous concerns with depicting these in a a photorealistic style, virtual reconstructions depicted in alternative styles are generally a rarity. This paper attempts to evaluate the potential benefits of presenting virtual reconstructions using non-photorealistic rendering (NPR): a relatively new discipline in computer graphics that aims to depict 3D graphics in artistic and expressive styles. The study described here examined how using non-photorealistic rendering techniques might overcome the various problems that have become associated with using photorealistic styles of depiction. The study also highlighted the potential benefits that non-photorealistic graphics could offer archaeologists creating virtual reconstructions. Recent multi-disciplinary research in computer graphics and psychology suggested that non-photorealistic rendering techniques can influence a viewer's psychological response to an illustration, for example, using NPR techniques can encourage conversation, influence a viewer's judgements and direct their gaze. These findings were compared to the results of an online survey that assessed how viewers' responded to archaeological reconstructions depicted in both photorealistic and non-photorealistic styles. The results suggested that choice of style clearly influences the way viewers respond to virtual reconstructions, and indicated that archaeologists should be considering the impact style has on their reconstructions, especially interpretive reconstructions where creating a strong aesthetic or a sense of engagement are not essential requirements

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