3D scanner and virtual gallery of small cultural heritage objects

Abstract

One of the most powerful applications of the World Wide Web (WWW) is the storage and distributuion of multimedia, integrating text, images, sound, videos and hyperlinks. In cultural heritage this is of particular interest, because best methods to convey a complex knowledge in the field of cultural heritage, to experts and non-experts, are the visual representation and visual interaction. In this work we propose 3D acquisition and digitizing techniques for the virtualized reality of small cultural heritage objects (virtual gallery). The system used for creating 3D shape is based on the conoscopic holograph. This technique is a non-contact three-dimensional measuring technique that makes possible to produce holograms, even with incoherent light, with fringe periods that can be measured precisely to determine the exact distance to the point measured. It is suitable to obtain 3D profile with high resolution also on surface with unevenness reflectivity (this situation is usual on the surface of the cultural heritage objects). By conoscopic holography, high-resolution 3D model can be obtained. Howver, accurate representation and high-quality display are fundamental requirements to avoid misinterpretation of the data. Therefore, virtual gallery can be obtained through a procedure involving 3D acquisition, 3D model and visualization.