A STUDY ON CONVERGENCE MODELING OF CULTURAL ARTIFACT USING X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL SCANNING TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract. Optical three-dimensional (3D) scanning technology is extensively used for digital recording and shape analysis of cultural heritage because it is simple to obtain precise surface shape and color information. In addition, X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) is used to record and analyze the internal shape of cultural heritage. However, while the 3D shape acquired by X-ray CT technology is excellent for visualizing the internal shape, expressing the high resolution of the surface shape is difficult. If the benefits of each technology are used to digitize the inside and outside of cultural heritage, the results of surface shape recording based on 3D scanning can be advanced, and various stereoscopic analysis can be performed. Therefore, an optimization modeling process that combines X-ray CT and optical surface scanning is required to record both internal and external shapes of cultural heritage. In this study, optimization modeling methodology was applied to cultural heritage by combining X-ray CT technology and optical 3D scanning technology. Based on the models obtained through both technologies, a mesh-based optimization convergence modeling methodology considering internal and external surface shapes and color is organized. Furthermore, because the X-ray CT data has a characteristic of a voxel base, it is determined that additional convergence methods, including internal voxel data, are required, and a voxel-based optimization model process is established concurrently. Following that, two convergence modeling methods were applied to each of the deer-shaped horn cup artifacts that had an interior shape. As a result, the 3D convergence model creation and mapping optimization process, which can reveal important internal and external information about artifacts such as surface color, fine shape, and internal structure, can be improved. This 3D convergence modeling methodology was able to supplement the two technologies while preserving the benefits of optical 3D scanning and X-ray CT technology. This is thought to contribute to the expansion of the digital recording process from a single technology to multiple technologies. The X-ray CT-based convergence modeling pipeline is expected to be an opportunity in promoting the revitalization of X-ray CT technology in the cultural heritage field because it can be used for a wide range of purposes such as shape analysis, preservation status evaluation, monitoring, restoration, and reproduction.