Transmission of cultural heritage through time and space by digital 3D models

The article would refers some interesting experiences of the research team Larifo, BEST Department, Politecnic of Milan, Italy, in the field of cultural heritage digitalization about the creation of archives and tridimensional representations which are finalized to the knowledge, the documentation and the fruition of the artistic and architectural heritage. We will see how it’s possible to create 3D models sculptures of medium size (i) with the application of laser scanning method and the integration of photographic/ photogrammetric survey to fit out virtual spaces wherewith show rebuilding hypothesis of places or past events, (ii) to document restoration, allow the reversibility of interventions during the time and (iii) to realize digital copies which are accessible through web navigation. On the following pages we will discuss about the acquisition modalities, the modeling and the visualizations used in three different projects that have significant buildings of Mantua and Sabbioneta, both of them heritage of humanity by 2008, as intervention sites. The purpose is to demonstrate the applicability of TLS systems and the importance of digital 3D models in the processes of knowledge, management and valorization.