3D Recording for cultural heritage

The importance of cultural and natural heritage documentation is well understood at an international level and the value of recording digitally in three dimensions (3D) is increasingly recognised. The development of new sensors, data capture methodologies and multi-resolution 3D representations, and the improvement of existing ones, is continuous, and research in these areas is growing, and can contribute significantly to the management, conservation and digital presentation of heritage. The article reviews some important documentation requirements and specifications, and 3D surveying and modelling techniques and methodologies, discussing their limitations and potential. Particular attention will be given to reality-based surveying techniques for structures and objects. Examples of heritage sites and objects digitally documented in 3D are presented throughout.