XXL FORMATS. Digitisation and Online Presentation. World Class Rapid Digitization of Cultural Heritage

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "XXL FORMATS. Digitisation and Online Presentation. World Class Rapid Digitization of Cultural Heritage"

Evelyn Baldwin Hart
5 years ago
Views:

1 XXL FORMATS Digitisation and Online Presentation World Class Rapid Digitization of Cultural Heritage

LARGE, LARGER, LARGEST Image: Delft Municipality / Delft Heritage Image shown above at 100% Right full view Original 92x57 cm Do you have posters, maps and building plans stored away?

For example, an eighteenth century map can help us to Digitisation serves to make it easier to examine such answer questions about the commercial culture of the large format maps.

Large format originals often contain a high Hidden Treasures Large format originals, such as maps, posters or prints, often remain hidden from the general public, which is a and then discarded, with

A poster from the beginning of the twentieth century is also a valuable source of information, because it reflects the culture of that period.

Posters have often been hung in a public space to promote an event through digitisation. Maps, drawings and prints are often wonderful sources of information.

2 LARGE, LARGER, LARGEST Image: Delft Municipality / Delft Heritage Image shown above at 100% Right full view Original 92x57 cm Do you have posters, maps and building plans stored away? That time is over! Share the greatest treasures in your collection by making them digitally accessible. For example, an eighteenth century map can help us to Digitisation serves to make it easier to examine such answer questions about the commercial culture of the large format maps. Even tiny details may accurately be time: which countries were known, which spices were studied thanks to Picturae s high quality image brought from where, and where the trading colonies digitisation. Large format originals often contain a high Hidden Treasures Large format originals, such as maps, posters or prints, often remain hidden from the general public, which is a and then discarded, with only a single specimen being preserved. These are often unique, and it is therefore important to conserve them properly, which is possible were. A poster from the beginning of the twentieth century is also a valuable source of information, because it reflects the culture of that period. information density, therefore it is so important that Picturae digitises in such a way that even the smallest details are faithfully represented. pity, because they are heritage treasures. Posters have often been hung in a public space to promote an event through digitisation. Maps, drawings and prints are often wonderful sources of information. Who would not want to know what their neighbourhood looked like It is time to make these treasures accessible to the general public. By digitising large format originals such as posters, drawings, prints and etchings, a collection can be rediscovered. Collections which have been in storage for years because of their size can now be reexamined in the light of contemporary knowledge. centuries ago, or how their house was built? Detailed Research The digitisation of large size originals is, however, not only of interest to the general public, but also of use in increasing academic knowledge. The digitisation of large format originals offers the possibility to reexamine maps in greater detail. An example of this is the eighteenth-century map of the Chaussée de Courtrai belonging to the National Archives of Belgium. This map is at least 13.5m by 0.4m. It is a wonderful source of information, but difficult to study due to its size. Simply finding a table big enough to roll the map out on is a challenge! Photo: Noord-Hollands Archief It would therefore be ideal to be able to view a digital version of this map. Bruges Historical Sources - Map of Steenweg Detail 100% full size 2 3

& Quality Quantity Digitisation sounds like the ideal solution for making large maps or watercolors publically accessible, but how is it possible with such large originals?

This allows the original to be repositioned for digitisation in a fully automatic process. The original is protected, as it is covered by the glass plate, and is moved together with the table.

The extensive automation of the XXL-table means that as well as offering high quality we are able to digitise in large quantities.

If Mohammed won t come to the mountain, the mountain must go to Mohammed! Wherever your collection is located, we will ensure that it can be digitised.

3 & Quality Quantity Digitisation sounds like the ideal solution for making large maps or watercolors publically accessible, but how is it possible with such large originals? To solve the problem, Picturae has developed an XXL-table. This table consists of a glass plate measuring 2.5x1.5 metres, and a simple suspension and sliding system specially designed for large rolls. This allows the original to be repositioned for digitisation in a fully automatic process. The original is protected, as it is covered by the glass plate, and is moved together with the table. The multiple images created are brought together to form one optically pure image with no danger of distortion. The film posters for the Eye Film Institute are representative of this. The extensive automation of the XXL-table means that as well as offering high quality we are able to digitise in large quantities. The faster we can digitise, the cheaper it is, so allowing us to offer our clients an attractive price. But how can your large format collections be brought to the XXL-table? If Mohammed won t come to the mountain, the mountain must go to Mohammed! Wherever your collection is located, we will ensure that it can be digitised. If your collection is too fragile or valuable to be moved, then we will bring the XXL table to you. If you would prefer us to digitise in our own studio, we will employ secured art transport in cooperation with Crown Fine Art. The safety of your collection is our priority. Easy management of the collection The digitisation of large format originals makes the collection easier to search through. Thus, all digitised files of these maps, posters or drawings are stored in our management collection system. Here files may be selected, and additional information such as author, date or place, added. It is also possible to link multiple maps created by the same cartographer, or posters from the same company, the same period or the same artist. You are in control of what links you create and what information you add. This metadata, as this information is called, ensures not only that your collection is equipped with the necessary descriptions, but also helps you to have a clear overview of your digitised originals. This additional information allows you to search through your card collection for a specific place or time with ease. Limburg Regional Historical Centre Original 52x71 cm Memorix Maior Collection Management Photo: North Holland Archives - Map of Haarlem Logistics Digitisation Processing Enrichment

Accessible collections In addition to managing your collection in a collection management system it is also possible to display either a

Potential museum visitors, historians, cultural enthusiasts and other interested parties can thus easily view large format originals that

In this way, whether they are at home or on the train, on their laptop, smartphone or tablet they can enjoy a large format print that they

It is virtually impossible! Maps, prints and building plans can be sizeable, and the digitised files also require a large storage area.

you in our private, environmentally friendly e-filing. It is, therefore, not necessary to store the files on your own computer.

4 Accessible collections In addition to managing your collection in a collection management system it is also possible to display either a part, or the entire collection, on a public website. Potential museum visitors, historians, cultural enthusiasts and other interested parties can thus easily view large format originals that they otherwise would never see. In this way, whether they are at home or on the train, on their laptop, smartphone or tablet they can enjoy a large format print that they can zoom in on to 100%. Because it is digital, it is easier than ever before. Have you ever tried to study the centre of a 4x4 metre map? It is virtually impossible! Maps, prints and building plans can be sizeable, and the digitised files also require a large storage area. However it is not necessary to have a large computer in order to view and store the digitised collection, as Picturae can manage it for you in our private, environmentally friendly e-filing. It is, therefore, not necessary to store the files on your own computer. In addition, we create compressed files for the 105x228 cm 86x126 cm 204x230 cm website so online visitors can view the smallest details, even on a tablet or smartphone, without the problem of long loading times. The aforementioned map of the Chaussée de Courtrai is, for example, easily accessible online. Foundation EYE Film Institute Netherlands 6 7

You can transform your collection into eye catching images on the wall of people s homes and, at the same time, recuperate the money invested in the development of the shop.

5 Earnings Special prints are a feast for the eyes. With a public website, it is possible to create a link to a webshop. Here you can decide which part of your collection should be accessible, and who should be able to order a print or download of the digitised image. You can transform your collection into eye catching images on the wall of people s homes and, at the same time, recuperate the money invested in the development of the shop. Digitising your collection is a step towards making our heritage visible, and revitalising the past. This is an opportunity to take your large format originals from the basement of your museum, or storage depots, and ensure that these treasures are available to everyone. It does not matter where in the world your collection is located, Picturae will make a customised plan: from secure art transport to online presentation, from on location digitisation to a customised collection management system. Your collection has never been so easily available to you and the general public! World Class Rapid Digitization of Cultural Heritage More information: T +31 (0) contact@picturae.com

Europe's cultural wealth at the click of a mouse: frequently asked questions

MEMO/08/546 Brussels, 11 August 2008 Europe's cultural wealth at the click of a mouse: frequently asked questions What is digitisation? Digitisation is the transformation into digital format of text and