New Report Compares Virtual-Gallery Software.
A free report put out by Technology in the Arts takes a comparative look at three popular pieces of Virtual Gallery software: Virtual Galleries, Image Armada, and SceneCaster/3D Scenes. Such software can be used by curators and artists wishing to create a 3D gallery environment that is either online or otherwise digitally portable. Uses include serving as a design tool for curators or students planning installations - to serving as an access tool for those unable to physically explore the gallery space.
The report graded each application according to the following criteria: "ease of creating an exhibition; quality of images; flexibility of creating an exhibition; ease of navigation in the three-dimensional space; and ease of publishing or distributing the gallery." Comparative information was also provided re: the following technical information: "Mac and PC compatibility, hardware requirements, internet-based viewing, and image and lighting manipulation."
One of the most useful aspects of the report were the recommendations - whether your organization has a limited budget, requires Mac compatibility, and whether the gallery needs to be shared with people online. These concerns seemed to be the make or break features, and these recommendations were included on the next to the last page.
In addition to introducing me to some fascinating programs for the other form of "digital curation" the report gave a succinct presentation of software comparative review. My favorite, though expensive ($3750-$6750) would have to be Virtual Gallerie as it combines walk-through 3-D functionality with workability in a web browser.
The possibilities for having portable and interactive online exhibitions of artistic, historic or curated archival collections - in a 3-D manner, with perhaps abilities to zoom in and read documents and rotate/analyze 3-D objects - is fascinating. At a glance it appears similar to Second Life. I posit that if museum and gallery can create exhibits (which communicate narratives and encourage innovative thinking and evaluation of art and history) that are digitally portable
and preservable - I find the prospects exciting.
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