VIRTUAL REALITY AS A TOOL FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

In this article, we examine the issues connected with creation of a virtual museum a specialized website dedicated to exhibition of historical and cultural heritage objects. We have developed a three-dimensional reconstruction of Tambov fortress of the XVII century. Tambov was founded in 1636 at the confluence of the rivers Students and Cna as a military fortress on the southern borders of the Moscow State. The technology for creating of the model includes consistent use of the following software: - Software for 3D-modeling (Google SketchUp, Blender, Maya, Autodesk 3Ds Max) for building 3D-models of historical buildings (structures, buildings, etc.) based on known parameters (dimensions, materials). At the same time graphics editors (GIMP, Adobe Photoshop) are used to work with the textures of these objects; - landscape design programs (L3DT, Terragen) for creating of a 3D-model of the landscape based on available topographical information (maps, plans, diagrams, spatial images); - systems for creating of three-dimensional multi-user virtual worlds (OpenSimulator, Second Life, Unity3D) for creating of a single virtual space based on 3D-models of objects and the landscape. At the same time, with the help of specialized software client (Cool VL Viewer, Singularity) user controls the movements of an avatar (virtual character) in a simulated virtual world.