Company Profile
Arius3D Inc.
Profile date: 2025-08-02
Arius3D Inc.
Arius3D Inc., now operating as Arius Technology, is a Canadian company specializing in the digitization, conservation, and reproduction of fine art. The company has developed and commercialized an ultra-high-resolution optics-based art capture technology that accurately records the surface geometry and color of paintings and other art objects. This technology originated from a research project that involved the forensic analysis of the Mona Lisa. The company is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Core Technology and Purpose
At its core, Arius3D's technology is a sophisticated 3D color laser scanning system. This system is unique because it simultaneously captures both the geometric and color data of an object at a near-microscopic resolution, with a level of detail that can be as fine as one-tenth of a human hair. The data is processed using proprietary Pointstream visualization software, which eliminates the complex process of converting point cloud data into a polygonal mesh. This allows for a scientific and highly accurate digital representation of the original artwork, which the company refers to as an Art Digital Master File.
The primary purpose of this technology is to serve the fine art industry, including museums, galleries, conservators, collectors, and artists. The resulting Art Digital Master Files are high-fidelity digital benchmarks that can be used for a wide range of applications, from conservation and research to creating reproductions and even digital artworks. The non-contact nature of the laser scanning process is certified as a safe technology for digitizing valuable cultural artifacts without causing any damage.
Products and Services
Arius3D, or Arius Technology, offers a suite of bespoke services and products centered around its core 3D scanning and imaging technology.
1. Digital Master Files
The Art Digital Master File is the central product of the company. It is a data-rich file containing the ultra-high-resolution surface color and geometry of an artwork. These files serve as a permanent, high-fidelity digital record of the artwork's condition at a specific point in time. This is invaluable for: * Cultural Conservation: The digital benchmarks assist in preserving artworks for future generations, acting as a safeguard against natural degradation or unforeseen damages. * Restoration: Conservators can use the Digital Master Files to digitally "turn back time" on an artwork. They can develop and test virtual restoration plans and prototypes before ever touching the original piece. * Provenance and Authentication: The company can create "digital fingerprints" of painting surfaces. This data helps to combat art fraud by aiding the detection of forgeries and providing an undisputed record of the work's provenance. * Research and Analysis: The scan data, which captures details invisible to the human eye, provides a new level of knowledge and understanding for scholars and researchers.
2. Elevated Printing (Elegraph? Prints)
Arius Technology provides Elevated Printing services, offering a unique opportunity for artists and institutions to create textured fine art print editions. The company's Elegraph? printing technology combines the digital and physical mediums, using the 3D scan data to reproduce the exact texture and brushstrokes of an original painting. These elevated prints are not flat reproductions; they are tactile and highly accurate replicas that are both durable and visually stunning. They can be used by museums to create accessible tactile exhibitions, by artists to reach a wider audience, and by collectors to own a high-quality reproduction of a masterpiece. The company has worked with the National Gallery of Canada and the Tate in the UK to create these reproductions.
3. Digitization and NFTs
Arius has moved into the digital art space by offering services to tokenize the data from their Art Digital Master Files. This enables the direct linking of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) to physical art objects. By connecting the high-fidelity digital record to the blockchain, the company provides a secure and verifiable digital record of the work's undisputed provenance. This service opens up the possibility of digital trade in physical art and provides an additional layer of security and peace of mind for collectors.
4. 3D Scanning Systems
While the company primarily focuses on services, it has also developed and launched its own laser scanning systems. The company's technology has evolved over the years, with early products like the 'Arius3D Identik 300R' being a portable 3D scanner designed for industrial use, but also quickly adopted by the art world. This system was noted for being the only 3D scanner at the time to use direct color measurement to collect points containing both geometry and color.
In summary, Arius3D Inc. is a leader in the intersection of art, technology, and data. Its core business revolves around its proprietary 3D scanning and imaging technology, which provides a level of detail and accuracy previously unavailable to the commercial art world. The company leverages this technology to offer a range of services from conservation and authentication to the creation of high-fidelity physical and digital reproductions. Its collaborations with major institutions like the National Gallery of Canada and the Tate underscore its position as a key innovator in the art technology space.