Throughout our stay here in Cahuita, Costa Rica, we have documented several of the local small boats used for fishing and eco-tourism. After recording these vessels, an important part of our job is presenting the data to others. Models are a great way to demonstrate the features of an item.
The practicality of creating a scaled model is problematic, though. Enter….technology! We have been experimenting with new photo-modeling software to create three dimensional models of our subjects (see El Lanchon posts). We are also using a three dimensional drafting program called Rhinoceros 3D. Once the measurements from the local small boat have been recorded, these are plotted on the grid and turned to create a wire frame of the vessel. Sometimes these measurements turn out to be imperfect and must be interpreted to the best of our ability. The frame is then covered and the model is complete. We managed to create a model of the boat “Jamaica Town” in this manner.
– Scott