As ongoing research, we are keenly interesting in developing techniques that allow researches to better use the field data they have already gathered.  One such technique is real-time lighting:  computer software that allows the user to move a light source around an artifact in an intuitive, fluid manner.

This technique extends the researcher's ability to remotely study artifacts or sites, complementing photographs, sketches and other documentation she or he might have.

To show an example of what a synthetically lighted image looks like, consider the section of carved relief from the tomb of Ramsses II (KV7) shown at right.

Carved relief on a wall in KV7.

During our 2002 expedition to Thebes, our team created a 3D model for section of wall relief shown above.  (For an explanation of 3D digitizing, see our introduction to laser scanning.)

From this digitized real-world relief, it is now possible to dynamically re-light the synthetic model, as seen below.  The left and right images show two different synthetic lighting renderings:  the former from the extreme left (grazing angle) of the image, the latter from the extreme right.
 

Applications for Real Time Lighting

Notice that in the above example, we have removed the color seen in the photograph of this wall.  Removing color and dynamically re-illuminating a surface often helps reveal the sorts of subtle details seen in the images above.  A better look at details is then useful for checking epigraphic drawings, as in the example shown at left.

Moreover, the ability to re-light a model in real time has been optimized to perform well on even very modest computers, which extends its usefulness.

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