Synthonics to Create CD-ROM Featuring Smithsonian Artifacts

Synthonics Technologies in Westlake Village has reached an agreement with the Smithsonian Institution to create a multimedia CD-ROM that will let consumers use a home computer to experience hundreds of artifacts housed in the institute’s 16 museums.

Featured as the centerpiece of the CD-ROM will be many artifacts presented as accurate 3-D replicas.

For the first time, home computer users will be able to handle, control and examine 3-D digital replicas of some of the nation’s most treasured mementos and historical artifacts.

Smithsonian staff members will select artifacts and artworks from its museums and galleries for inclusion in the product.

Synthonics will then convert many of the static pieces into animated 3-D models that simulate how the historical items were used and operated in centuries past.

Under the agreement, Synthonics will produce a complete interactive CD-ROM that includes static and animated displays as well as supporting text and sound tracks as part of an “electronic tour” of some of the institute’s pieces.

When completed, the product will be available through Smithsonian distribution channels and traditional consumer CD-ROM distribution channels such as book stores, PC software retailers and major chains carrying electronic products.

The Smithsonian has more than 152 million items and artifacts in its collections, of which about 90% are in storage and are seldom if ever displayed. A number of the images and replicas contained in the CD-ROM will be of these stored and seldom-viewed artifacts.