# IDOVIR > Digital tool for the scientific documentation of virtual reconstructions in art history, architectural history and archaeology **Wikidata**: [Q130717637](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130717637) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/idovir ## Summary IDOVIR is an open-source web application designed for the scientific documentation of virtual reconstructions in the fields of art history, architectural history, and archaeology. Launched in 2022, it serves as a virtual research environment and data portal, enabling researchers to document and publish complex digital reconstruction processes. ## Key Facts * **Full Name:** Infrastructure for Documentation of Virtual Reconstructions (IDOVIR). * **Launch Date:** January 1, 2022. * **Nature:** Open-source software, web application, and virtual research environment. * **License:** GNU General Public License, version 3.0. * **Funding:** Funded by the German Research Foundation (Project ID: 460771453). * **Operator:** Technical University and State Library Darmstadt. * **Founding Institutions:** University of Applied Sciences Dresden and Technical University of Darmstadt. * **Development Team:** Markus Wacker, Wolfgang Stille, Jonas Bruschke, and Marc Grellert. * **Website:** [https://idovir.com/](https://idovir.com/) * **Source Code:** Hosted on GitLab ([https://gitlab.com/idovir/idovir-app](https://gitlab.com/idovir/idovir-app)). ## FAQs ### Q: What is the primary purpose of IDOVIR? A: IDOVIR provides a digital infrastructure for the scientific documentation of virtual reconstructions. It is used specifically in art history, architectural history, and archaeology to ensure that digital reconstruction processes are recorded and citable. ### Q: Is IDOVIR free to use? A: Yes, IDOVIR is open-source software released under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0. This allows users to use and redistribute the software under the terms of the license. ### Q: Who maintains and operates IDOVIR? A: The platform is operated by the Technical University and State Library Darmstadt. It was developed by a team including Markus Wacker, Wolfgang Stille, Jonas Bruschke, and Marc Grellert. ### Q: What type of software is IDOVIR technically classified as? A: It is classified as a web application and a virtual research environment (VRE) that functions as a data portal for digital humanities research. ## Why It Matters IDOVIR addresses a critical gap in the digital humanities: the lack of standardized, scientific documentation for virtual 3D reconstructions. In fields like architectural history and archaeology, digital models are often created to visualize lost or hypothetical structures, but the decision-making processes behind these models are rarely documented with the same rigor as traditional academic papers. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to verify, cite, or reuse scientific 3D data. By providing a structured virtual research environment, IDOVIR allows researchers to explicitly link their digital models to historical sources and archaeological evidence. This elevates virtual reconstructions from mere visual aids to verifiable scientific outputs. The project is significant because it fosters reproducibility and academic integrity in digital modeling. Supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and integrated into the NFDI4Culture initiative (ID E5864), IDOVIR helps establish best practices for the handling of research data in the arts and humanities. It bridges the gap between technical modeling and scholarly publication, ensuring that digital heritage data remains accessible and scientifically robust. ## Notable For * **Specialized Scientific Documentation:** It is one of the few tools specifically tailored for the *scientific* documentation of virtual reconstructions, distinguishing it from general 3D modeling software. * **Open-Source Commitment:** It offers a fully open-source solution under the GNU General Public License v3.0, promoting transparency and community development in the digital humanities. * **Institutional Backing:** The project benefits from high-level academic support, being operated by the Technical University and State Library Darmstadt and funded by the German Research Foundation. * **Interdisciplinary Integration:** It operates at the intersection of computer science, library science, and history, serving as a "virtual research environment" for diverse disciplines. ## Body ### Development and Governance IDOVIR was initiated on January 1, 2022, as a collaborative science project between the University of Applied Sciences Dresden and the Technical University of Darmstadt. The project is currently operated by the Technical University and State Library Darmstadt. The core development team includes Markus Wacker, Wolfgang Stille (a German computer scientist and CTO of hessian.AI), Jonas Bruschke, and Marc Grellert. The project is financially supported by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), referencing grant number 460771453. It holds the identifier E5864 within the NFDI4Culture (National Research Data Infrastructure) consortium, highlighting its role in the German research data landscape. ### Technical Specifications IDOVIR is accessible via its web portal at [idovir.com](https://idovir.com/), which is presented in English. Technically, it functions as a web application and a data portal. The source code is publicly available for review and contribution on GitLab, adhering to the GNU General Public License, version 3.0. While the software is open-source and intended for libre access, the project maintains a copyrighted status. ### Scope and Application The platform is categorized as a virtual research environment (VRE) with a primary use case in documentation. Its fields of work include: * Digital Humanities * Architecture * History of Architecture * Research * Publication The tool allows for the systematic recording of data related to virtual reconstructions, ensuring that the "digital history" of an object—such as an archaeological site or a lost building—is preserved alongside its visual representation. It serves as a bridge between technical reconstruction work and academic publication.