Taiwan Digital Asset Library, an online database comprising 3-D models of historic structures and insects, was launched June 22 by the Ministry of Culture, highlighting government efforts to support the development of creative industries across such fields as animation, comics, film and games.
 
Developed in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the TDAL offers representations of 44 anthropomorphic insects and 28 cultural landmarks. Among the latter are Grand Hotel Taipei, Red House and Xinbeitou train station in Taipei City, Xiluo Bridge in central Taiwan’s Yunlin County, as well as Hayashi Department Store in southern Taiwan’s Tainan City.
 
Also featured are reproductions of two former historic sites: Kikumoto Hyakkaten, built in 1932 in Taipei as Taiwan’s first-ever department store, and Chunghwa Market Bazaar, a complex of eight three-story buildings housing 1,600 stores torn down in 1992.
 
MOC Minister Cheng Li-chiun said that the database underscores the ministry’s commitment to supporting local cultural content production through providing innovative technological resources. The TDAL will enable creative talents to more accurately present stories about Taiwan as well as deepen public understanding of the nation’s history, she added.
 
To showcase the library, the MOC has approved the use of its 3-D models in an upcoming film adaptation of “Scrolls of a Northern City,” a graphic novel by artist Akru, as well as a TV series based on “The Magician on the Skywalk,” a collection of 10 interrelated short stories by Wu Ming-yi.
 
Materials on the TDAL can be used for noncommercial purposes in accordance with the Creative Commons public copyright license. Commercial licensing will be permitted going forward and overseen by the under-development Cultural Content Institute, the MOC said.
 
The institute, outlined in a draft bill approved by the Cabinet in March, is expected to play a front-line role in attracting more professionals from home and abroad to the local cultural content industry, generating additional inbound investment and promoting efficient resource integration. (CPY-E)