Page 338 - Green - Maritime Archaeology: A Technical Handbook. 2nd ed

Chapter 11: Artifact Drawing 317
c
Figure 11.14 (Continued) (c) computer-generated shading, light coming from the front.
The development of high-resolution scanners also raises interesting possibilities for artifact recording. One example is to scan artifact drawings and save the data in a database that allows graphic images to be stored along with text. Another possible application is to link a video camera to the computer to record objects, thus completely avoiding having to draw the object. Even if a drawing has been made it may be more useful to scan it and store the data for use later). Finally, with the increasing sophis- tication of graphics programs for computers, it will not be long before artifacts will be regularly drawn using a computer. Most of the more advanced CAD programs have the capacity to do this type of work. This will speed the drawing process and enable the drawings to be stored elec- tronically in the artifact database. Modification or re-drawing will be much easier and drawings can then be placed directly, by file transfer, into the publication.