3D Digital Preservation of Yi Lacquerware: ScanTech and Alibaba Advance Cultural Heritage

Yi lacquerware, originating from Xide County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, is renowned for its unique artistic style and profound cultural connotations. It is the crystallization of the wisdom of the Yi people and a treasure of Chinese ethnic culture.

However, this valuable cultural heritage is facing severe challenges. Issues such as the long production cycle, the potential for allergic reactions to natural lacquer, and the decrease in practitioners are leading to a risk of discontinuity in the craft. Deeper problems include the impact of modern lifestyles, the challenge of traditional craftsmanship transmission, the scarcity of natural materials, and economic viability issues. These factors are intertwined, collectively leading to the predicament of the inheritance of Yi Lacquerware Traditional Handicraft.

Project Background

To protect and preserve the precious intangible cultural heritage of Yi lacquerware, 88VIP and Alibaba Public Welfare have jointly launched the “Guarding the Beauty of the Distant” cultural digital collection project, with ScanTech providing 3D technological support. The project utilizes 3D digital technology to recreate five pieces of Yi lacquerware, including the pagoda box and dove-shaped pot, all crafted by the nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage master, Ji Wu Wuqi. Through high-precision three-dimensional scanning and modeling techniques, the art of Yi lacquer decoration is transformed into replicable, spreadable, and shareable 3D digital models.

Users can exchange these collections for membership points on the Taobao 88vip platform. For each exchange, the platform donates 6 yuan to the Yi lacquerware protection project, thereby supporting the inheritance and development of traditional arts in the digital age.

The 3D digitization process of Yi lacquerware

The 3D digitization process of Yi lacquerware is a challenging yet profoundly significant project. To accurately capture the intricate details and unique textures of Yi lacquerware, ScanTech employed the KSCAN-Magic laser 3D scanner, along with the 3DeVOK Mapping Software, to complete the high-precision, high-definition color 3D modeling of various lacquer items including the pagoda box, dove-shaped wine pot, torch wine pot, ceramic tea set, and decorative ornaments.

Application of the KSCAN-Magic Laser 3D Scanner:

1. The ultra-fine scanning mode of the KSCAN-Magic handheld 3D scanner is capable of capturing complete data of complex object surfaces, with a maximum resolution reaching 0.010 mm, ensuring the precise capture of these details.

2. The KSCAN-Magic boasts a maximum measurement accuracy of 0.020 mm, easily handling even complex structures like the pagoda box. Every detail of its surface, including the pointed top, the transitional layers in the middle, and the curves of the base, can be accurately recorded and replicated.

3. To address the intense reflectivity and mirror-like effects of the lacquer surface, the KSCAN-Magic 3D scanner utilizes a blue cross laser scanning mode design, which allows for precise scanning on high-gloss and smooth surfaces, effectively avoiding the data inaccuracy issues caused by mirror reflections that are common with ordinary laser scanners.

4. For the issue of black lacquer surfaces having a strong absorption capacity for laser light, the KSCAN-Magic can complete the scanning without the need for powder coating, which is crucial for maintaining the original appearance of the lacquerware.

Application of the 3DeVOK Mapping Software：

In advancing the project of 3D digital inheritance of Yi lacquerware, the 3DeVOK Mapping Software has played a key role. By integrating mesh data from 3D scanners with mobile phone/camera photography, it rapidly produces true-color 3D models of the lacquerware, ensuring a high degree of consistency between the texture mapping and texturing effects of the models and the actual objects. The software is compatible with a variety of 3D model formats, such as .obj, .ply, .fbx, .stl, and .off, allowing the processed models to be easily applied in various 3D design and rendering software, meeting the needs of different projects.

Here is a quick start guide for the 3DeVOK Mapping Software. For the specific operation process, you can learn through the following video:

Through these technical methods, whether it be distinctive tableware and glassware, complex utensils of various kinds, or dazzling decorative items, a 1:1 precise replica can be achieved. The combination of the KSCAN-Magic scanners with the 3DeVOK Mapping Software not only faithfully reproduces the unique charm of Yi lacquerware but also provides a solid foundation for subsequent digital applications. This integration opens up a new path for the protection and inheritance of Yi lacquerware as an intangible cultural heritage.

The Significance and Impact of Digital Collections

Through this project, Yi lacquerware has been presented in the form of digital collections for the first time. This initiative not only revitalizes traditional crafts but also paves a new path for the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage. Digital collections possess unique value and significance, as they overcome the constraints of time and space, enabling a broader audience to comprehend and appreciate the allure of Yi culture.

The 3D digital inheritance project of Yi lacquerware serves not only as a crucial endeavor in the preservation of cultural heritage but also as a compelling illustration of the fusion and collaborative advancement of traditional culture and modern technology. It offers us innovative perspectives and directions for exploring the safeguarding and continuity of cultural heritage.