"Models, Mark-Up, Commentary and Attention"

This paper explores an evolutionary approach towards post creation markup and commentary attachments to 3D Virtual Reality models of Built Heritage from 1995 to date. A particular focus of the several projects described over this period was to enable and support web-based collaborative modelling of the built and natural environment, covering facsimiles of its current form, various interpretations of historic settings, and interpretations of the future in the form of versions of planning proposals. Throughout these projects a need was defined for non-proprietary and software-independent forms of ‘mark-up’ for: commenting on the evolving state of and versions of modelling; linking to many different media, documentary sources and base data that served to evidence these interpretations; and for achieving consensus in opposing or supporting planned proposals. It is suggested that the necessary 3D capable GIS that support a ‘Google Docs’ approach to web based 3D modelling collaboration and commentary are only now beginning to emerge.