Lab Assignment 1: 3D Modelling-Amphora

For this Lab Assignment we were tasked with creating a 3D model of an object we know well. While it may not be an every day object, the reason I made a model of one is because I had a bright idea while looking over an archaeological paper and thought I should test it out. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “An amphora? What even is that?” Amphorae are pots that were used across the Mediterranean in ancient times to transport and store goods. See, pottery is drawn in a technical and standardized way in archaeology and is meant to give an accurate impression of the vessel both in size, shape, design, and decoration. In fact the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, a professional organization in the UK, has a 26 page guide on the conventions and how-to guides for drawing any vessel. I figured I could take one of those drawings and get a reasonably good model of a pot. I started with one from the paper I was already reading, using the drawing from Figure 4 to provide me with an outline to sketch. Using the canvas feature of Fusion, I was able to make a sketch that followed the technical drawing to a reasonable degree of accuracy. I didn’t get any progress pictures of me tracing the drawing as I was so invested in getting it right that the idea of documentation completely fell through my mind. After making my sketch, I used the revolve tool to complete the shape of the vessel sans handles. I then did the handles as flat figures and filleted them as far as they could go. This was something I had to compromise on as the original amphora had rounded handles and mine still had some edges to them. It was the only way I could retain an accurate impression of the shape as the pipe tool would make them too small or large and not retain any of the smaller curves. And therefore after some finagling, here is the amphora I ended up with first.

This is where I was going to leave it, until I discovered the “decal” function. The decal function allows you to put images onto your 3D model. I figured I was already three quarters of the way to something amazing and so I should finish the job. Amphorae in the Greek world usually come as either “red-figure” or “black-figure”, meaning either the pot is black and the decorations are red or vice versa. Another limitation of Fusion became apparent here, there was not matching color for the red so I went for black. Using paintings from this amphora from the Met, I downloaded the images of the pot, got rid of the background in a photo editor, and used the decal function to stick them onto my amphora. I then resized the pot to be the same size as the Met one, as I forgot to look at the scale the first time around.

It was easier than I expected it to be, though the tracing was tedious and the handles were tough, I think that this sort of modelling could be really useful to expand access to artifacts for research and also to the general public. To me this would be my greatest use of Fusion, but I’m certain other people from other fields would also have idea. My biggest tip is that you don’t always have to model things from scratch and to use your resources. I did a lot of searching for the correct way to revolve the shape and then hollow out the middle to the correct thickness, but in the end I just made a general whole. I still haven’t figured that one out!