Simon Benson, a lecturer in naval architecture from Newcastle, has made the news recently. He uncovered that, by using a 3D simulation, the time it took for the Titanic to collide with the iceberg that sank it was just 6.3 seconds.
3D Technology is Leading to Advanced Discoveries
The recent discovery used 715,000 real images from submersibles, which were then converted into a dense 3D point cloud. From there, the points were converted into polygons to form a continuous surface, which was layered with texture to create a realistic representation of the Titanic. Tech like this has been used in the past, with an example being the scans of Angkor Wat. Thousands of photos were taken, which were then converted into a 3D mesh and textured into a visual image.
The result was a highly realistic digital model that could be used to replicate real-world wonders. 3D tech like this is becoming more and more prominent, and it’s also becoming more advanced as time goes on. Interestingly, it’s not just advanced discoveries that are leveraging 3D technology. In the property sector, 3D tech is used to conduct property tours. Zillow 3D Home and Matterport use 3D tech to create advanced or simplified 3D models of a home to simulate walk-throughs for buyers.
Even in gaming, 3D tech is becoming more advanced. Racing games like Forza use 3D tech, including photogrammetry and laser scanning to create replications of cars and tracks, for enhanced visuals and accurately replicated physics. Even games like roulette which you can play at a UK casino, uses 3D software to replicate a traditional roulette wheel, ball, chips, and sometimes table. 3D technology like this allows textures to be simulated with a high level of visual accuracy, with in-game physics used in conjunction with the 3D design to help determine the outcome of the game.
Significant Findings have been Made
Simon Benson has commenced saying that the Titanic was supposed to be an unsinkable ship, designed to stay afloat even if the four watertight compartments flooded. With that said, the recent simulation shows that the damage was spread across six different compartments. The Newcastle expert commented, saying that the difference between the ship sinking or staying afloat, came down to the margins of holes that are similar to the thickness of a piece of paper.
With that said, the holes were spread across the long length of the ship, so the flood water would slowly make its way in, with the compartments flooding over the top. The 3D simulation has helped to shed a lot of light on this, with the new 3D digital map said to be a breakthrough in marine archaeology. The level of detail that has been gained as a result of this simulation is similar to walking through the ship itself. Not only does this show what remarkable uses 3D technology has, but it also shows how possible it is to take a deep dive into history, uncovering things that were previously inaccessible and shedding new light on such historic events.