EXPERIENCES WITH LASER SCANNING AT i 3 mainz

Since a year and a half i3mainz uses scanners for cultural heritage recording tasks. Three different scanners were used: CYRAX 2500 (time-of-flight laser), Mensi SOISIC (triangulation laser) and GOM ATOS II (structured light projection). These scanners are completely different regarding their principles of operation, specifications and typical applications. This paper will describe some projects, including problems experienced during scanning and postprocessing. Objects recorded include a cave, facades of a church ruin and a cenotaph. Just scanning an object is mostly the easiest part of the job. Creating exact models consisting of irregular surfaces requires a high expenditure of work and time. However, the various software products provided by the scanner producers are often optimised for industrial purposes and not for the creation of triangulated meshes, as necessary for objects in architecture, arts and archaeology. In order to be able to create both, geometrically accurate and good looking models, more intelligent software has to be developed. It is concluded that laser scanning is an important new method for the recording of cultural heritage objects, which can complement or in certain applications even replace currently existing methods.