Real-time visualization of the Forum of Pompei

This paper describes the process to create a single realistic 3D digital model of a wide archeological site, to be used for virtual reality application. The incoming data are texturized models coming from an accurate 3D survey of the entire area: the ground, buildings and finds were acquired with active and passive sensors and converted into polygonal models. Afterwards, the models were assembled in a single virtual scene that reproduces the Forum as it would actually appear to a tourist. The scene can be visualized by means of stereoscopic devices to increase the feeling of immersion. During the data conversion process we had to face three main kind of problems: the database optimization, the correction of digital objects position into the scene and the realism of the displayed model. The real time rendered model of the Forum was displayed on a large screen with stereoscopic technology, as a support for archeological studies.