Visualization and 3D data processing in David’s restoration

The David restoration project (started in Florence in 2002) has given several guidelines to the definition and development of innovative solutions to process and visualize 3D data in the framework of Cultural Heritage (CH) applications. Our main goal has been to demonstrate the usefulness of digital 3D models and of visualization tools in the framework of a restoration project. 3D models have been used in CH mostly for still/interactive rendering and for physical reproduction via rapid prototyping technology. CH restoration is another field where a large number of proficient uses of accurate 3D models and visualization can be proposed. Restoration is nowadays a very complex task, where multidisciplinary skills and knowledge are required. A complex set of investigations usually precedes the restoration of a valuable artwork: visual inspection, chemical analysis, different type of imagebased analysis (RGB or colorimetric, UV light reflection, X-Ray, etc.), structural analysis, historical/archival search, etc. These analysis might also be repeated on time to monitor the status of the artwork and the effects of the restoration actions. An emerging quest is how to manage all the resulting multimedia data (text/annotations, historical documents, 2D/3D images, vectorial reliefs, numeric data coming from the analysis, etc.) in a integrated framework, making all information accessible to the restoration staff (and, possibly, to experts and ordinary people as well). The final goal is to guide the restorer in the choice of the proper restoration procedure by the evidence of the analy-