LA RAPPRESENTAZIONE DEGLI ELEMENTI SCULTOREI IN ARCHITETTURA. DAL MODELLO 3D ALLE GEOMETRIE SOTTESE

The representation of sculptural elements in architecture. From 3d models to the underlying geometry The restitution of the decorative apparatus of the historical architectural heritage becomes an autonomous problem for the peculiarities concerning the manufacturing of materials in relation with the spatiotemporal features of the studied contexts. In the present case, the subject brings into relation the survey, carried out with integrated techniques, and the 3D model manufacturing which is particularly interesting for the sculptural elements of architecture. Their representation through 3D Computer Graphics becomes the most immediately perceptive form and the least mediated one by the discretization processes typical of traditional drawing. The use of software which can transform the point cloud data of the 3D scanning process and the imported iles into surface 3D models allows the visualization and concretization of the decorative elements of complex geometry through 3D printing. The present study implements a process of geometric analysis starting from the survey data, carried out with laser scanning technology, the subsequent modeling of decorative architectural elements and of decontextualized fragments of museum objects of high documental value, favouring a historical analysis and interpretation. The formal expressivity of virtual modeling interfaces with the rationality of the underlying geometric shapes, traceable to ind out similarities in different manifestations where they are assembled according to the historical period.