Artec 3D scanners digitizing artifacts across Portugal for unique online exhibit
A cloak being digitized with Artec Leo by the project team. Image courtesy of Património Cultural, Making of 360, Património Cultural, IP.
Artec 3D is proud to announce its contribution to Cultural Heritage 360 (Património Cultural 360), an ambitious project that aims to bring Portugal’s rich heritage to new audiences.
With the backing of Portugal’s Ministry of Culture and €11.7 million in EU funding, the initiative will see the creation of a unified digital platform filled with the country’s cultural treasures. This groundbreaking virtual gallery is set to feature 12 documentaries and a remarkable collection of 59,500 2D & 3D models captured from exhibits at 65 museums, monuments, palaces, and heritage sites using cutting-edge technology.
Visitors will gain free, unlimited access to historic gems from across Portugal, including the ability to explore iconic heritage sites through virtual tours, from anywhere in the world.
Artec Leo digitizing a religious statue as part of the initiative. Image courtesy of Património Cultural, Making of 360, Património Cultural, IP.
Artec 3D scanning is playing a key role in digitizing these precious artifacts and national monuments. Supported by Artec 3D Gold-certified Partner 4D Virtual Lab, an interdisciplinary team of over 50 experts in conservation, restoration, photography, modeling, and graphic design, are using professional-grade Artec 3D scanners to capture every historic detail.
With the wireless, all-in-one Artec Leo, researchers are already finding it possible to digitize complex items with varying textures, whether it be historic clothing or reflective monastery statues.
One of the artifact 3D models captured using Artec 3D scanning. Image courtesy of Património Cultural, Making of 360, Património Cultural, IP.
To capture the most intricate pieces, the researchers have turned to Artec Space Spider. It may not have the very latest specs like Artec Spider II, but the blue-laser device still picks up minute surface details in ultra-high resolution for outstanding 3D models.
Despite the project’s extremely broad remit, which covers everything from furniture to sculptures and musical instruments, Artec 3D scanning has proven more than up to the task.
Project researchers digitizing two objects at once with Artec Space Spider. Image courtesy of Património Cultural, Making of 360, Património Cultural, IP.
Captured models are not only being used to create exhibit support materials with 3D printing, they’re allowing for the simulation of Portugal’s most historic sites with stunning realism.
Alongside visits by members of the public, it’s hoped that this virtual gallery will prove to be a vital resource for teachers, pupils, and research professionals – for the purposes of enjoyment, as well as the preservation and further investigation of the country’s rich history.
Digitization is already well underway, with some incredibly lifelike artifact models now available via an online archive, and the project is expected to be finished by the end of 2025.
Find out more about the Cultural Heritage 360 project here.
