About Our Research Projects and Library Digital Collections
The Center for Digital Heritage and Geospatial Information (CDHGI) works to preserve and protect the world’s cultural and natural heritage through education and global engagement by creating interdisciplinary approaches to 3D research and curriculum that address real world issues and concerns.
The CDHGI is interdisciplinary and designed to meet the growing need for coordination and collaboration of education, research, and outreach efforts in the rapidly evolving areas of reality capture, geomatics, drone survey, three-dimensional laser scanning, photogrammetry, visualization, 3D printing and fabrication, architectural and cultural site documentation and assessment, virtual and augmented reality applications, and Global Information Systems (GIS). Our Center specializes in the application of these combined techniques relating to heritage sites, land management integration, and museum and collection documentation. These areas of specialization span the natural and social sciences and emphasize cross-disciplinary engagement and research. More broadly, our methods and approaches are supportive of technology learning and high demand workplace skills, useful across domains and including strong global impact.
Our primary research areas focus on cultural and natural heritage digitization with emphasis on projects relating to climate change impacts on heritage, environmental integrated management, rock art and stone architecture digitization, museum collection 3D strategies, historic preservation and condition assessments, karst and cave site documentation, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) spatial database and digitization research support, and research relating to ethics, standards, and interpretation initiatives relating to 3D and Geographic Information Science (GIS) applications.
The CDHGI leverages the latest in terrestrial laser scanning and imaging tools, GIS, GPS, and field survey technologies, along with virtual and augmented reality, 3D fabrication and printing, and visualization strategies, to document heritage sites, landscapes, and objects. These approaches are brought together to create digital learning tools and online collections, made available through the University of South Florida Libraries. Our work is developing and supporting new means of research and inquiry using these technologies, workflows, and approaches and in the creation of immersive and innovative library resources.
Broad Research Directions and Themes
Climate Resiliency and Heritage Management
Historic Preservation and Architectural / Structural Documentation
Indigenous Stories and Representation
Interpretive and ADA Applications – e.g., Virtual Tours
Heritage Tourism – Sites and Museums
GIScience and 3D Visualization
Transforming information access and solving real-world challenges that promote stewardship, preservation, and sustainability.
OUR MISSION
The Center for Digital Heritage and Geospatial Information (CDHGI) in the USF Libraries, works to preserve and protect the world’s cultural and natural heritage through education and global engagement by creating interdisciplinary approaches to 3D research and curriculum that address real world issues and concerns. To accomplish this, we are creating digital learning tools and library collections emerging from our research that promote heritage preservation, investigation, exploration, education, and tourism interpretive strategies.
Our work in applied historic preservation, leverages digital technologies to rapidly record, analyze, visualize, and share 3D, GIS, and innovative imaging and virtual information. Our projects are having local, regional, national, and global impact – increasing heritage stewardship and conservation, and helping guide research standards and ethics relating to emerging technologies with 3D and spatial digitization.
OUR VISION
Much of the world’s cultural and natural heritage is endangered or imperiled.
Climate change, illicit trafficking and looting, natural catastrophes, war and conflict, over-visitation, and development pressures, all can cause damages that may be irreversible. Even objects thought protected and preserved in museums can be susceptible to loss. Working with agencies, governments, communities, and the public and private sector, USF’s Center for Digital Heritage and Geospatial Information is meeting these preservation challenges using advanced spatial and imaging technologies to rapidly and accurately document and digitize the world around us.
Our methods and approaches applied to heritage preservation and documentation promote research, education, and new means of exploring and visualizing heritage through the development of library archival collections and applications.
Along with collaborators and partners around the world, we are assisting with the rapid need for digitization of imperiled heritage sites and museum and library collections. We integrate principles of co-production of knowledge and follow Indigenous data governance as a guiding principle. We bring the past to life in classrooms, museums, in virtual and web-based applications and at heritage sites and are developing new strategies for library collections.
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Our Technology
The CDHGI team uses the latest kit in 3D, imaging, and spatial data capture. From terrestrial laser scanners that scan landscapes, to high-end imaging and structured light scanners that quickly digitize artifacts, features, and objects, our team’s gear includes the latest in Virtual Reality cinematic 360 imaging, spherical and panoramic capture, audio and soundscape recordation tools, and drone-based videography, imaging, spatial mapping, and 3D survey tools. Advanced global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) mapping technologies are integrated into our documentation approach. Numerous 3D, GIS, image-based software packages allow for the post-processing, visualization, and sharing of our project data. Our 3D Print Lab supports the use of 3D data for tactile and visualization development, and our VizLab and VR Studio allow for immersive and shared experiences and research development.
Our Team
Our faculty, staff, and student team members are working to solve real world challenges faced by agencies, communities, and industry relating to the heritage preservation and digital science. Meet and read about the talented team behind the Center for Digital Heritage and Geospatial Information and follow the work that they do.
Digital Commons Resources
Discover a wealth of curated scholarship and project derivatives with stable archives and DOIs.
Exploring and documenting the world around us in 3D
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