Creating optical twins of ancient ceramics for a global asset library

Zhongsheng Technology is creating precise digital representations of artefacts from various worldwide collections and making them accessible to researchers via their interactive Timiro App interface.

The challenge

In a joint project centered around Jingdezhen’s ceramic artifacts, Zhongsheng Technology will collaborate with partners including Tencent SSV and the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute to build a digital ecosystem that promotes the global dissemination of ceramic culture.

Utilizing Phase One medium format cameras alongside their Timiro Optical Twin Solution, Zhongsheng Technology will carry out high-precision digitization of representative artefacts. They seek to accurately capture the texture, luster, and materiality of ceramic objects, supporting scientific research, education, and exhibitions, and providing strong support for Jingdezhen’s bid for UNESCO World Heritage status in 2026.

To avoid structural and color distortions during the modeling process, the project aims to surpass traditional 3D digitization methods. The results will generate multidimensional digital assets characterized by optical authenticity, realistic material feedback, and ultra-high resolution.

Beyond 3D modelling: Multi-dimensional interactive encoding

Zhongsheng Technology (ZS Tech) specializes in the precise restoration of digital information and the development of optical twin technologies.

ZS Tech’s core solution, Optical Twin, is designed to fully leverage the abilities of imaging equipment to conduct high-precision digital acquisition of a wide variety of items and generate optical fidelity-grade, fully interactive 3D digital assets.

Their technology was conceived to improve on the perceived limitations of traditional 3D digitization methods, which rely on 3D modeling, and introduce structural and color distortions during the modeling process – even when using top-tier equipment with outstanding resolution and color accuracy. Moreover, the more complex the artifact, the more pronounced the distortion becomes.

ZS Tech’s independently developed “multi-dimensional interactive encoding” technology can achieve 100% preservation and restoration of the optical fidelity of the original artefact without relying on traditional 3D modeling, and supports the direct generation of fully interactive 3D digital assets directly from the Phase One IIQ RAW file, ensuring maximum detail and flexibility for post-processing.

Phase One – Because imaging is critical

The performance of the digitization equipment directly impacts the quality of the final outcomes, so the better the equipment, the more outstanding ZS Tech’s advantages become.

Phase One, as the market-leading digital imaging system, excels in resolution, color science, and overall system stability, making it the ideal choice to maximize the strengths and technological features of ZS Tech’s Optical Twin solution.

Ject, the Operations Director of Zhongsheng Technology, says “Our proprietary technologies and solutions fully leverage the performance advantages of Phase One equipment, helping to achieve more authentic and detailed digital representations of cultural heritage artifacts.”

“In the field of cultural heritage digital preservation, Phase One’s cameras demonstrate exceptional professionalism – their resolution, color accuracy, and system stability provide a solid foundation for meeting the highest standards of digitization. At the same time, Phase One’s Cultural Heritage solutions are very mature and offer strong support for a wide range of project applications.”

The project: Thousand Museums, Myriad Ceramics

Titled “Thousand Museums, Myriad Ceramics: Jingdezhen Ceramic Cultural Heritage Digital Asset Library”, the ambitious new project will include ancient ceramic collections from museums and private collectors worldwide, as well as contemporary ceramic artworks by master artists.

To ensure secure storage and efficient application of digital assets, the project will establish a digital showcase compatible with multiple platforms, and a data management system offering safe, convenient, and controllable access and circulation of results.

Digitizing high-gloss or textured surfaces like porcelain

In the digitalization of highly reflective and texture-complex objects such as ceramics, the optical twin solution developed by ZS Tech does not rely on traditional 3D modeling processes such as mesh construction or texture mapping. Therefore, there are no barriers when capturing objects with intricate textures, and the workflow is almost identical to high-resolution 2D imaging.

To address the challenges posed by high-gloss surfaces, ZS Tech, in collaboration with its partners, has successfully developed a non-contact “matting” capture technique. This method effectively eliminates reflection interference while preserving the true texture and glossiness of the object’s surface, significantly enhancing overall image quality.

The multi-platform interactive interface – Timiro APP

Timiro APP is ZS Tech’s dedicated decoding and playback software for its multi-dimensional interactive media files.

Through this platform, users can delve into the intricate details of the works by zooming-in, allowing them to fully appreciate the rich artistic and cultural values embedded in them.

Timiro APP is compatible with a wide range of digital content, including 2D artistic works such as calligraphy and paintings, and rotatable 3D models encompassing various cultural relics and handicrafts like porcelain and Buddhist statues.

As a multi-platform playback tool (supporting Windows, Mac, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and H5), it offers interactive operation, seamless browsing, fast file retrieval, and management features. In addition, it is integrated with a data management system that ensures data security and controlled circulation through file encryption and online authentication.

Lightweight file size is also a major advantage of this technology, enhancing storage efficiency, reducing retrieval time, and enabling users to conveniently access collection resources anywhere and anytime.

A future of collaboration

After forming a comprehensive digital archive of ceramic cultural heritage, ZS Tech is looking forward to continuing their close working relationship with Phase One.

I am very much looking forward to deepening our collaboration with Phase One — not only to jointly explore the integration and promotion of optical twin technology with Phase One cameras, but also because we recognize that we still have much to learn in the field of cultural heritage digitalization. We hope to continue learning and exchanging knowledge with the Phase One team to further enhance our expertise.

Ject

Operations Director of Zhongsheng Technology

More about Zhongsheng Technology

Founded in 2017, Zhongsheng Technology (ZS Tech) focuses on ultra-high-precision visual digitalization, the precise restoration of digital information, and the development of optical twin technology. Relying on its proprietary Timiro (multi-dimensional interactive media) technology, the company has built a comprehensive ecosystem covering hardware, software, and services, redefining digitalization and setting new standards for optical twins.

ZS Tech provides end-to-end solutions encompassing services such as digital acquisition and processing, digital marketing planning, hardware sales and rentals, customized software development, technology licensing, and SaaS support.

The company has more than ten branches and data collection service stations across China.

https://www.zstime.top/