Abstract
Digital tools as 3D (three-dimensional) modelling and imaging techniques are having an increasing role in many applicative fields, thanks to some significative features, such as their powerful communicative capacity, versatility of the results and non-invasiveness. These properties are very important in cultural heritage, and modern methodologies provide an efficient means for analyzing deeply and virtually rendering artworks without contact or damage. In this paper, we present two laser scanner prototypes based on the Imaging Topological Radar (ITR) technology developed at the ENEA Research Center of Frascati (RM, Italy) to obtain 3D models and IR images of medium/large targets with the use of laser sources without the need for scaffolding and independently from illumination conditions. The RGB-ITR (Red Green Blue-ITR) scanner employs three wavelengths in the visible range for three-dimensional color digitalization up to 30 m, while the IR-ITR (Infrared-ITR) system allows for layering inspection using one IR source for analyses. The functionalities and operability of the two systems are presented by showing the results of several case studies and laboratory tests.
Highlights
Artistic and cultural heritage (CH) is essential for present and future generations as a proof of human genius over the past eras, and its preservation has a key role in transmitting cultural and historical roots of nations around the world [1,2,3]
The dependence on external parameters, such as lighting conditions, can influence the reliability of acquired data. We address these topics by illustrating the Imaging Topological Radar (ITR) technology, developed at the ENEA Research Center of Frascati (RM), as an acquisition method of highly detailed images for 2–3D color digitalization and layering analysis of medium–large targets, independently from the surrounding illumination conditions
The parameters of the ITR scanners for defining their accuracy and resolution are: the laser spot size, which determines the minimum area of the collected pixel; the signal/noise ratio for estimating the distance measurement; the minimum angular step of the motorized mirror, responsible for the movement of the laser beam; the single pixel distance between the device and the target, which determines the spatial resolution between one point and the neighbors [34]
Summary
Artistic and cultural heritage (CH) is essential for present and future generations as a proof of human genius over the past eras, and its preservation has a key role in transmitting cultural and historical roots of nations around the world [1,2,3]. The general workflow of a 3D modelling process consists of the application of active methods for the object geometry acquisition (point cloud) and passive ones for color mapping (texture), in order to obtain photo-realistic 3D models, using an integrated approach between laser scanning and photogrammetry [14]. The resulting products are 3D textured reproductions of the object/site, where the color transposition is strongly dependent on the surrounding illumination conditions and the elaboration is often a time-consuming process [8,15,16,17,18]. We address these topics by illustrating the Imaging Topological Radar (ITR) technology, developed at the ENEA Research Center of Frascati (RM), as an acquisition method of highly detailed images for 2–3D color digitalization and layering analysis of medium–large targets, independently from the surrounding illumination conditions.
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