With Rapid Prototyping already for several years new possibilities for exhibitions have been available. From the very beginning Architectura Virtualis has devoted its attention to the potentials of this technology. Since 2005 from the data of virtual buildings, cities and landscapes, haptic models have been created by machine. The materials used extend from plaster to synthetic materials and ceramic to metal.
The plaster printing procedure makes it possible to color the model directly during the construction by machine. At the same time, textures, pictures, or writing can be transferred to the model. An example of this procedure is the model of the bell tower of Ivan the Great in the Kremlin in Moscow.
Further special features of Rapid Prototyping are:
- Extreme details are possible even on very small models.
- Haptic models can be looked at on the computer ahead of time and judged.
- For complex models the costs for the production can be greatly reduced in comparison to those for traditional production procedures.
- If changes have to be made on the model or more copies are desired, this can be done quickly and economically.
Moreover, virtual and haptic models can be combined and the respective advantages can be set off, as shown in the exhibition "Historic Site: Olympic Grounds 1909 – 1936 – 2006".
Since the haptic models are constructed from a digital record set, the exact overlaying of the digital model can be achieved by projections. The texts, pictures or animation that are projected on to the model lead to new kinds of exhibitions with aesthetic appeals and new forms of conveying knowledge. Examples for this are the projects "Germany and Europe" (German Historical Museum, Berlin) or "Concentration Camp Flossenbürg" (Flossenbürg concentration camp memorial site). Both exhibits are located at the main entrances.