Documented: Embedding information onto and retrieving information from 3d printed objects

Abstract

Documentation for DIY tasks serve as codifed project knowledge and help makers reach new understandings and appreciations for the artifact. Engaging in refective processes using the documentation can be challenging when it comes to physical objects as the documentation and the artifact exist separately. We hypothesize that spatially associating the documentation information with the artifact can provide richer contextualization to refect upon the artifact and design process. We implemented and evaluated Documented, a web application that helps makers associate documentation to 3D printed objects. Information can be embedded using printed tags spatially placed on the model and accessed using mobile AR. Our study highlights the diferent strategies participants had for organizing, embedding, and retrieving information. Informed by our results, we discuss how the coupling of the documentation and the artifact can support refection and identify potential barriers that need further investigation.