Synthonics Delivers 3-D CD-ROM to Smithsonian

Synthonics Technologies in Westlake Village has delivered an interactive CD-ROM containing dozens of 3-D objects to the Smithsonian Institution.

Called “The Smithsonian Museum Collection,” the software enables museums to make priceless objects in their collections accessible to the public via computer programs or 3-D images distributed over the Internet.

Synthonics licenses its Rapid Virtual Reality technology for distance learning and electronic commerce applications. The models can be produced quickly and inexpensively and, because of their relatively small file sizes, can be transported easily across the Internet, company officials said.

The Smithsonian collection features 68 3-D replicas of artifacts from all 16 Smithsonian museums, including many items that are never or rarely seen by the public. Viewers may rotate the objects 360 degrees for a complete view and take measurements of any detail.

In the past year, Synthonics has received six patents that focus on creating 3-D images quickly and inexpensively for a variety of applications.

The collection, which retails for $24.95, will be sold in all Smithsonian museum shops and on the Smithsonian online catalog (https://www.si.edu/shops) or can be ordered by phone at (800) 582-6642.