Photogrammetry and 3D Printing for Marble Statues Replicas: Critical Issues and Assessment

Abstract

A project for realizing replicas of a couple of marble statues starting from reality-based 3D models is being presented in this paper. On the crowning element of the baptistry, consecrated to San Giovanni in Corte in Pistoia (Italy), there were originally a couple of marble statues that, in the 1980s, were removed to preserve them better and to avoid security issues. Recently, the Superintendence started a project aimed to reproduce both statues with additive manufacturing techniques. High-resolution 3D models are required for supporting the replica process. This project takes advantage of the structure from motion (SfM) technique to produce reality-based models and fused deposition modeling (FDM) to 3D print the replicas. This paper presents an overview of the potential of additive manufacturing systems in the field of cultural heritage conservation and describes all the phases of the project, up to the evaluation of the correspondence between the original and the copy.

A Review of Polymer-Based Materials for Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF): Focus on Sustainability and Recycled Materials

“…D pri3nting is also revolutionizing the field of Cultural Heritage (CH). AM technologies allow to create replicas of different kind of CH, such as archaeological finds, sculptures, architectural elements, paintings and works of art, in general [ 132 , 133 , 134 ]. The purposes can be multiple ( Table 6 ).…”

“…The candles were 3D printed with ABS filament through the use of FDM printers, in addition to the use of the SLS technique [ 136 ]. Bonora et al (2021) explored the use of the structure from motion (SfM) technique together with FFF printing for the creation of copies of marble statues, to replace the originals for conservation purposes [ 134 ]. Their work is presented as an accurate excursus on parameters, advantages and criticalities, through a practical example of creation of a copy of the marble statues of the baptistery of Giovanni in Corte in Pistoia (Italy) [ 134 ].…”

“…There are now many software, tools and new technologies that support 3D printing in the reconstruction of works of art, without touching and damaging the artistic surface. For example, digital 3D models can be faithfully reproduced by using laser scanning or photogrammetry [ 134 , 152 ].…”

“…The most suitable materials can be chosen to preserve the object, thus reducing production costs. Moreover, 3D printing can also be used to create appropriate support structures to give visitors a good fruition of the artistic find in museums [ 134 ]. To cite an example, Fatuzzo et al (2017) produced the ABS packaging for the bronze statue of Heracles (Museo Civico F.L.…”

GNNS Control Network Supporting Large Historical Building Architectural Survey

“…The geometric survey, which has always been a crucial tool to understand architecture, has acquired in this way the rigorous form of cartography. It has also integrated the wealth of photogrammetry information and quickly grasped the potential of 3D scanning systems (Bonora et al, 2021;Mugnai et al, 2021;Wang et al, 2017). Even if formal interpretation retains a primary role in studying a monument, the spread of highresolution digitization systems often involves the split between the analysis and measurement phases, anticipating the latter to the first one.…”