The use of digital tools for the preservation of architectural, artistic and cultural heritage, through three-dimensional scanning and digital manufacturing

Abstract

Applications of 3dscanning and digital manufacturing established a new understanding of the architectural space, making it possible to capture it at a specific time. The possibility to get them closer ease the recreation of a physical object. In the present work, different methodologies and post-production techniques are presented, starting from scans, and working computationally to prepare the models for additive manufacturing. To describe this workflow, two architectural examples are used: a historic façade of the XVI Century and the recent archaeological project, from II Century BC. The primary objective has been to get closer the world of 3D scanning and digital manufacturing. It has been focused on its application for the preservation of fragile cultural elements, not only in its conservation from natural disasters or human conflicts but also to study the possibility of replicating the elements and making them accessible in a digital way.