Employing 3D Scanning and Printing Techniques for the Preservation of Chinese Qin Opera Costumes

Abstract

Qin opera with its millennia-long history, is the progenitor of Chinese opera in China. However, the beginning of modern technologies and the emergence of new media present both challenges and opportunities for the preservation and transmission of this ancient cultural form, including its distinctive costume culture. This study delves into the aesthetics and architecture of Qin opera attire, detailing the colour schemes, and classification the garment designs. Utilizing three-dimensional (3D) scanning and 3D printing, the research digitally reconstructs twelve traditional Qin opera costumes, facilitating their digital conservation and innovative reinterpretation. Through this process, the study not only preserves these historical garments but also revitalises them by employing digital technology to showcase the costumes in a comprehensive digital format. This fusion of Qin opera's sartorial heritage with digital preservation techniques not only broadens the horizons of virtual visualization technology but also enhances the modes through which Qin opera's costume culture is shared and experienced. This approach ensures a more effective preservation and innovative evolution of the traditional Qin opera costume culture, safeguarding it for future generations.