Beyond the frame: a multifaceted approach to Cultural Heritage 3D models through levels of iconicity and user-centric visualization tools

This paper introduces a discussion on the visualization tools for digital replicas of objects belonging to the domains of historic architecture, archaeology, and art museum institutions. Covering a range of artifacts, from ancient drawings to manuscripts, to paintings, to objects belonging to museums’ collections, the discussion spans from levels of iconicity related to 3D models to their presentation media. Authors introduce established experiences, inferred from real case studies showcased during real exhibitions, to show how digital artifacts can replicate existing objects for specific purposes, with high levels of iconicity. The paper traces approaches in 3D model visualization, utilizing technologies like Real-Time Rendering (RTR) and Virtual Reality frameworks. After a methodical acquisition of artworks to be replicated, the digital models are targeted to various stakeholders with interests in historical and artistic research, museum exhibition curation, art restoration, or simple tourism visits. The way through which the artwork can be visualized, showcasing different features each time, depends on their needs, from guided navigation of 3D models on laptop screens accompanied by explanatory texts, to free visualization through gestures on interactive high-definition touch screens. By employing high-resolution replicas mapped with gigapixel textures, even the minutest details can be observed. This approach virtually places the artwork in the hands of the users, allowing them to appreciate its characteristics at a very high level of iconicity, also enhancing the narrative potential of digital replicas in museum exhibitions.