The Atlanticwall Museum in the Netherlands is a military-themed museum with a large collection of World War I military objects, including a set of 3D printed models that recreate the defensive deployment scenes of the German and Belgian coastlines during World War I. At that time, German troops built bunkers along the coastline to prevent Allied ships from boarding. To this day, the ruins of these bunkers remain a major feature of the coastal area.
Based on aerial photographs of the coast taken between 1914 and 1918, the museum's researchers created a 3D model of the coastline and added textures through software to simulate landforms such as sand dunes and meadows. They then 3D printed scenes of the coastline using resin materials and 3D printed military facilities such as cannons and outposts using nylon materials. Nylon material is stronger and more wear-resistant.
The total size of this model is 2500×450mm and is assembled from multiple 3D printed modules. Since the photos at that time were black and white, the staff also did a lot of research to determine the most accurate tone when coloring.
"The model is an accurate historical replica of the coastline during World War I and is the product of months of research and collaboration. When visitors see it, I'm sure they'll have a feeling of stepping back in time and getting a very real sense of what the coast looked like during the war 100 years ago. The museum staff said.