3D digitization and its applications in cultural heritage

Abstract

3D digitizing technology has a variety of applications including reverse engineering, quality control, virtual reality and digital heritage. Recently, great development in 3D digitizing technology facilitates archaeology and digital preservation of cultural heritage. In this paper, we introduce a 3D digitizing pipeline for cultural heritage. By using 3D technology, both geometry and texture can be recovered with high precision. Four main applications including digital archiving, 3D line drawing, virtual restoration and virtual display are introduced. The technology has been successfully implemented in many digital heritage projects such as Longmen, Xiangtangshan, Maijishan, Nanyuewang museum and so on. These projects demonstrate that 3D digitization greatly facilitates archeology and plays an important role in cultural heritage protection. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.