Céraphin

Céraphin is a web application designed to generate a 3D model of a ceramic piece from its profile measurement.

Initially developed as an extension for Trimble SketchUp during a break from writing a Master 1 thesis, Céraphin has since evolved into a web application using WebGL technology for 3D rendering in browsers.

Built on the open-source library Babylon.js created by Microsoft, the application works as follows: the user starts by importing an image of a ceramic diagram from their computer, which will serve as a reference. Then, the user retraces the ceramic profile by placing points from the rim to its (possible) foot. A freehand tracing option is also available.

Once the profile is drawn, the user can click a button to generate the 3D model of the ceramic piece. This model can be exported in GLB format (GL Binary Format), a compressed version of the glTF 3D format that offers various advantages. The generated 3D model can easily be integrated into databases, video games, or virtual reality mediation experiences.

Certain rendering parameters are adjustable, such as color, scale, and model resolution (polygon count). To apply surface textures or add gripping elements (like handles), external software such as Blender or Microsoft 3D Builder can be used. In the future, these options may be directly integrated into Céraphin. 

References

Cotta, V. (2024). Élaboration et usages d’un Web SIG sur le Néolithique ancien dans la basse vallée de la Marne : Développement d’un Système d’Information Archéologique et Documentaire à destination d’un PCR [Mémoire de maîtrise]. Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne ; dir. F. Bostyn et F. Giligny.

Cotta, V. (2025, novembre 13). Outils de modélisation automatique en 3D des céramiques. Journées d’études du réseau d’information sur la céramique médiévale et moderne (ICERAMM-2025), Strasbourg. https://iceramm.huma-num.fr/

glTF. (2025). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=GlTF&oldid=1317356544

La céramologie | INRAP - Magazine. (2025). https://www.inrap.fr/magazine/les-sciences-de-larcheologie/les-disciplines-de-larcheologie/la-ceramologie

Lathe | Babylon.js Documentation. (2022, septembre 21). https://doc.babylonjs.com/features/featuresDeepDive/mesh/creation/param/lathe/

Manifestation scientifique : Journées d’études du réseau d’information sur la céramique médiévale et moderne (ICERAMM-2025). (2025, août 28). Inrap. https://www.inrap.fr/journees-d-etudes-du-reseau-d-information-sur-la-ceramique-medievale-et-moderne-20180

Microsoft. (2023). Microsoft. 3D Builder 20.0.4.0 Neutral ~ 8wekyb 3d 8bbwe [Logiciel]. http://archive.org/details/microsoft.-3-dbuilder-20.0.4.0-neutral-8wekyb-3d-8bbwe.-appx-bundle

Microsoft 3D Viewer. (2025). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Microsoft_3D_Viewer&oldid=1319566026