DH2025 - Digital Heritage International Congress 2025

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Solar Panels on Historic Roofs? A Digital Tool for Assessing Sensitive Roof Areas
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Loeper, Yasmin; Palmen, Christoph; Gerke, Markus; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
The approval of solar installations on the roofs of listed buildings is a challenge that requires extensive knowledge of the building's roofing materiality, construction and cultural significance. The Lower Saxony State Office for Heritage Preservation (NLD) is leading an interdisciplinary research project with the Institute for Geodesy and Photogrammetry at the Technische Universtität Braunschweig (IGP) to develop a Lower Saxony-wide heritage roof cadastre which enables an initial assessment of the suitability of roofs. The project focuses on creating tools that analyze and evaluate roofs based on their solar potential, roof material, geometry, and visibility in public space. The results can be made publicly accessible by integration into Lower Saxony's geographic information system. This should assist local preservation authorities and those involved in planning to ensure an appropriate and sustainable development of listed buildings in the future.
Outside the Wall: Some Applications of TagLab for Semantic Segmentation in Archaeological Practice
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Ronchi, Diego; Virgilio, Elisabetta Di; Mele, Samira; Lombardi, Matteo; Ferdani, Daniele; Dininno, Domenica; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
Imaging techniques have a long history in archeology, from the ruins depicted during the Grand Tour to today's large-scale photogrammetric surveys. Orthophotos generated with photogrammetry are currently extensively used in archeology: a key challenge in this new documentation paradigm lies in the semantic segmentation of such pixel matrices, a process increasingly aided by Machine Learning. This paper focuses on TagLab, an open-source tool originally developed for marine biology that has proven to be extremely versatile in archeological practice. More specifically, this paper aims to expand the use of the software in the Cultural Heritage field and explore its applicability for cost estimation on ancient construction sites, archeological excavations, ceramic thin sections and fragmentary painting documentation.
3D Data in the Data Space for Cultural Heritage
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Münster, Sander; Medici, Marco; Fresa, Antonella; Stan, Alexandru; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
The common European data space for cultural heritage is an initiative of the European Union, funded under its Digital Europe programme. It supports the digital transformation of Europe's cultural sector and allows cultural heritage institutions across Europe to share digitised cultural heritage content, with high-quality metadata, including in 3D, to promote the reuse of digitised cultural heritage among various audiences, creating value for the economy and society. The workshop is dedicated to (1) to provide an insight in the Data Space for Cultural Heritage and the supporting projects carried out particularly to deal with 3D assets. (2) To discuss the impact of those endeavours with regards to overarching challenges as data, standards, capacities and application, (3) provide a hands-one experience with innovative tools.
Comparing OCR Pipelines for Folkloristic Text Digitization
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Machidon, Octavian M.; Machidon, Alina L.; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
The digitization of historical folkloristic materials presents unique challenges due to diverse text layouts, varying print and handwriting styles, and linguistic variations. This study explores different optical character recognition (OCR) approaches for Slovene folkloristic and historical text digitization, integrating both traditional methods and large language models (LLMs) to improve text transcription accuracy while maintaining linguistic and structural integrity. We compare single-stage OCR techniques with multi-stage pipelines that incorporate machine learning-driven post-processing for text normalization and layout reconstruction. While LLM-enhanced methods show promise in refining recognition outputs and improving readability, they also introduce challenges related to unintended modifications, particularly in the preservation of dialectal expressions and historical structures. Our findings provide insights into selecting optimal digitization strategies for large-scale folklore archives and outline recommendations for developing robust OCR pipelines that balance automation with the need for textual authenticity in digital humanities research.
Enhancing South Slavic Cyrillic Manuscripts Research through a Digital Toolkit for Cyrillic Palaeography
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Riparante, Marta; Goynov, Maxim; Paneva-Marinova, Desislava; Pavlova, Lilia; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
This paper presents an innovative digital tool designed to support the analysis of medieval Cyrillic handwriting within a codicological and palaeographical framework. The Cyrillic Palaeography Toolkit (CyPaT), developed from a standardised descriptive model and integrated with the Repertorium of South Slavonic Manuscripts and Copyists (X-XIV cc.), offers a comprehensive environment for the description, processing, and comparative study of manuscript data. By enabling direct interaction with digitised images, CyPaT allows for detailed examination of script features such as letter proportions, stroke composition, and layout. As a free and open-source resource, it promotes collaborative research and the systematic identification of script features linked to specific periods, scriptoria, or individual scribes, particularly within the South Slavic Cyrillic tradition, marking a significant step forward in the development of Digital Slavic Palaeography as an emerging field of scholarly inquiry.
HBIM Modelling Techniques Applied to Gothic Architecture: Insights from the Founder's Chapel at the Monastery of Batalha
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Sugiyama, Gabriel; Rodrigues, Hugo; Rodrigues, Fernanda; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) emerged as a pivotal tool for documenting and preserving built heritage, yet practitioners face significant challenges in selecting optimal modelling approaches for complex historic structures. This study presents a comprehensive comparison of HBIM modelling techniques applied to the Founder's Chapel of the Monastery of Batalha (Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória), a masterpiece of Portuguese Late Gothic architecture. Through a systematic analysis of three distinct modelling techniques - parametric modelling, NURBS modelling, and mesh-based reconstruction - this work evaluates their effectiveness in capturing the chapel's intricate architectural elements, focussing on its vaults. The research employed point cloud data obtained using terrestrial laser scanning as the basis for modelling. The comparative assessment focused on three key parameters: geometric accuracy, time efficiency, and model flexibility. The results indicate that parametric modelling offers the possibility to establish relations to the surrounding architectural elements and a high degree of adaptability, NURBS modelling provides geometrically accurate surfaces through mathematically defined curves and control points, while mesh representation provides exceptional fidelity in documentation. This study demonstrates that the most effective strategy for comprehensive documentation incorporates parametric modelling as the foundation within HBIM frameworks, complemented by the remaining techniques according to the model's purpose. This integrated approach harnesses the distinctive strengths of each method while counterbalancing their respective limitations, resulting in a more complete digital representation of the built heritage. The results suggest that the choice of modelling approach should be driven by project-specific requirements rather than technical preferences, with particular consideration given to the intended use of the model. The results provide valuable information for heritage professionals in selecting appropriate HBIM modelling strategies, while also highlighting the need for improved interoperability between complementary approaches.
Rediscovering the Bauhaus: Experimental recreation of lost Bauhaus Artifacts by digital technologies
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Wassef, Medhat; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
The wooden decorations in the vestibule of the ''Sommerfeld House'', especially in the wooden panel topping the interior entrance door, can only be described as a ''work of art''. Out of the remaining photos of the house, the one showing the vestibule door and the panel above it, is the dominant one. The effort done in producing this panel is obvious in the complexity and intricacy of its details, which makes this work worth studying, specifically for the admirers of the Bauhaus school. But since the original work was destroyed, digital analysis of its remaining pictures could help unlock some of its secrets, and could even help recreating it, both in virtual space and in real space.
Sihrhis: a geodatabase of Hellenistic and Roman housing in central-western Sicily
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Monte, Giuseppe; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
This project develops an open-access geodatabase documenting Hellenistic and Roman domestic structures in central-western Sicily. It integrates fragmented archaeological records (4th century BCE-3rd century CE) into a unified digital framework using Directus for relational database management and GIS for spatial data vectorization. The geodatabase systematically catalogs architectural features, construction techniques, and material culture, enabling standardized cross-comparison and spatial-statistical analyses. Outcomes include identifying regional architectural patterns, socio-economic stratification, and cultural hybridity in domestic spaces. The project demonstrates how open-source tools can bridge gaps between field research, archival data, and computational analysis in digital archaeology.
Advancing Armenian Inscription Recognition
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Nersesian, Gevorg; Sarvazyan, Narine; Khachatryan, Suren; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
Armenian monuments are rich in carved stone inscriptions. These inscriptions serve as vital records of cultural and linguistic heritage, offering insights into the lives, beliefs, and traditions of Armenians during the Middle ages. However, detecting and comprehending these inscriptions pose significant challenges. Due to weathering, vandalism, erosion, and the complexity of ancient scripts, many of these texts remain unreadable. Yet, the few existing studies indicate that deciphering these messages from the past is feasible with technological advancements. In the present project we study a unique, newly created and unex- plored collection of digital twins of Armenian tapanakars (tombstones) and khachkars (cross-stones) focusing on hierarchical segmentation of the images using the detected geometrical and statistical features. The results are applied to character classi- fication and the accuracy of the generated images is estimated. Since the detection stage of the algorithm is universal for any kind of shapes, it opens up new research avenues that extend beyond text recognition alone. The same pipeline can be adapted to identify decorative motifs, geometric symbols, and other visual patterns commonly found on tapanakar surfaces.
Enhancing the study of historical figures through AI-powered interactive data visualizations
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Profeta, Giovanni; Cornelius, Joseph; Rinaldi, Fabio; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
One of the most important tasks for a historian is to identify key historical figures across multiple cultural archives and analyze their impact on history. The extensive effort of cultural institutions in digitizing historical archival materials and distributing them through online digital archives have significantly enhanced the study of historical figures. However, current historical digital archives, which rely on keyword-based search methods, often return numerous but imprecise results making it challenging for historians to understand chronological and contextual events surrounding a historical figure. We would like to present the result of the Mini-Muse project. It was a preliminary research project aimed at identifying data visualization models and user-friendly interface features to help historians visually explore historical figures and their actions. The project leverages Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms to extract metadata from unstructured text and generate structured data about key figures. It also applies data visualization techniques to support the visual analysis of each figure's timeline. The project adopts a user-centered design approach to ensure that the user interface features meet the needs of historians. It involves a pool of Swiss and Italian historians to gather insights on their research practices and validate a working prototype. The findings of the preliminary research project suggests that the introduction of an ''action flow view'', an interactive timeline displaying the historical figure's actions extracted automatically, can significantly improve the identification and study of historical figures.
Tactile Embroidery Reproduction Exploiting Machine Vision for Visually Impaired Engagement
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Jenkinson, George P.; Samaroudi, Myrsini; Calvet, Xavier Aure; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
Best conservation practices for historic textiles such as their display behind glass and in low light conditions to prevent damage and deterioration create significant barriers for visually impaired audiences. Alternative sensory experiences, particularly tactile exploration, have proven essential for increasing engagement with historical and cultural objects for these visitors. Leveraging state-of-the-art machine vision approaches, we present a comprehensive workflow to generate machinable 3D models across multiple materials. We evaluate these reproductions with visually impaired participants using the replica experience framework, analysing preferences across material types, tactile features, and representation techniques. Our preliminary findings demonstrate that combining contextual audio guides with tactile objects significantly enhances understanding and engagement. Notably, providing multiple material versions of the same artefact better accommodates the diverse preferences and tactile sensitivities found within the visually impaired community, suggesting material diversity should be a key consideration in developing inclusive museum experiences.
The Multimedia Archive of the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence as a Tool for the Enhancement, Promotion, and Preservation of Artistic Heritage
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Grimaudo, Giovanni; Niccolai, Federico; Vaccari, Giulia; Ciani, Juri; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
The Multimedia Archive of the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence was born from the need to digitize and preserve the vast artistic heritage housed within the historic Florentine institution. The project, which began in 2022, aimed to identify a tool capable of enhancing and promoting cultural and artistic content through the integration of art and technological innovation. By examining contemporary society and the tools through which it accesses content and information such as smartphones and computers it has become evident that an easily accessible web platform constitutes one of the most effective means. Furthermore, new technologies enable the delivery of interactive multimedia content capable of meeting the needs of younger generations who are approaching the world of art for the first time.
Application of LiDAR Sensors for the Reconstruction of the Production Techniques of Artificial Conglomerate Blocks: the Case of the Maconi Tower - Siena (Italy)
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Rossi, Gioele; Bruttini, Jacopo; Camporeale, Stefano; Gabbrielli, Fabio; Giamello, Marco; Tavarnelli, Enrico; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
The Maconi tower, dating back to around the 12th century and belonging to one of the leading families of medieval Siena, is characterised, in its internal and external façades, by a wall made of limestone blocks, reused bricks and large blocks of artificial conglomerate. The latter, the subject of this research and also visible in other buildings in the city, are parallelepiped in shape and are made of mortar and angular stone elements, with a texture that varies depending on the size and shape of the aggregates, as well as the processing of the blocks themselves. The aim of the research was to verify the effectiveness of new three-dimensional survey methodologies for the documentation and morphological analysis of artificial conglomerate blocks, in order to understand the production system of the latter. To this end, the LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology integrated into Apple IPhone PRO devices was used, with which it was possible to obtain detailed 3D scans with the help of a free application and an electronic stabilizer, all accompanied by measurements with traditional systems (comb profiler), used to verify the method. The study concerned, in particular, the evaluation of the roughness of the external surface of the blocks, or the three-dimensional shape of the external faces, as a possible indicator for understanding the methods of construction and processing. The analysis of the surface texture, obtained through three-dimensional scanning, highlighted two types of surfaces in relation to the variation values between the level of the mortar and the top of the stone elements: the first type shows a significant variation, while the second has a more contained difference, indicating a different degree of irregularity. The investigations conducted allowed us to quantify the roughness of the artificial conglomerate blocks, highlighting variations compatible with different exposure to atmospheric agents and/or different construction methods.
The Timeless Art of Special Effects: From Renaissance Stagecraft to Extended Reality
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Falvo, Perla Gianni; Manera, Giovanni Valeri; Saari, Michael; Guidi, Gabriele; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
Special effects are often perceived as a product of the digital age, yet the fundamental concept of special effects has been present throughout history. In fact, 15th-century sacred performances in Florence were much more than religious events: they were sophisticated immersive experiences born from the integration of art, mechanical engineering, and scenotechnical creativity. Polyhedric figures such as Filippo Brunelleschi profoundly innovated the language of spectacle-the principal form of mass communication until recently- by introducing mechanical, visual, and audio solutions that prefigure contemporary immersive technologies (CGI, AR/XR). These techniques aimed at arousing emotional involvement through multisensory stimuli, establishing core principles now validated by cognitive science. The effectiveness of such devices is analyzed through neuroscience and embodied cognition theories, explaining the link between sensory stimulation, empathy, and emotional participation. Florentine sacred representations, therefore, anticipated strategies for spectacularization now applied in digital heritage. Our comparative analysis confirms how the interaction between technical innovation and audience emotional response persists across eras. Although digital technologies have radically transformed visual effects' execution, their fundamental role in creating resonant cultural experiences remains unchanged.
2D and 3D Semantic Segmentation for Interpreting and Understanding 3D Heritage Spaces
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) El-Alailyi, Ahmad; Mazzacca, Gabriele; Alami, Ashkan; Padkan, Nazanin; Takhtkeshha, Narges; Fassi, Francesco; Remondino, Fabio; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
The 3D digitization of Cultural Heritage (CH) sites has become increasingly requested for documentation, preservation, and analysis applications. Beyond capturing 3D spatial geometry, the semantic interpretation and understanding of digital models are critical for enabling meaningful CH studies and facilitating informed conservation strategies. However, manual annotation and classification of architectural elements and surface pathologies remain labor-intensive and time-consuming, underscoring the need for automated approaches. This study presents a comparative analysis between two distinct semantic segmentation frameworks: (1) a 2D-to-3D pipeline that projects 2D image-based detections onto 3D point clouds produced with V-SLAM data and (2) direct segmentation methods of 3D point clouds acquired with portable LiDAR sensors. These frameworks are evaluated on data acquired using two distinct mobile mapping systems (MMS): (1) a fisheye multi-camera Visual SLAM-based portable system (ATOM-ANT3D) for the 2D-to-3D pipeline; (2) a LiDAR-based MMS (Heron MS Twin Color) for the 3D segmentation methods. Achieved results demonstrate the ability of the proposed frameworks to generate semantically enriched 3D heritage data, with the 2D-to-3D method slightly outperforming the 3D segmentation techniques.
Implementing Curiosity Hooks and Caring Practices in the Reconstruction of Lost Polychromy: Design Prototypes for Interactive Experiences.
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Bonifazi, Federica; Veggi, Manuele; Massidda, Marcello; Ferdani, Daniele; Pescarin, Sofia; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
Engaging museum audiences with problems such as the conservation of monuments or the fading or lost colours of our Cultural Heritage remains a challenge, as traditional approaches often fail to establish lasting connections. Recent museological debates highlight a ''sense of care'' as a key perspective in fostering relationships between citizens and Cultural Heritage. The PERCEIVE Horizon project explores ''caring prototypes'' to enhance engagement with coloured collections. Building on research on curiosity-driven engagement, this study investigates design strategies for digital and hybrid prototypes, specifically tailored to engage visitors with the lost polychromy of ancient statuary. Our qualitative user research in museums and educational contexts reveals that audience feel to be involved most when actively solicited by an investigative process, rather than being treated as passive observer of reconstructions. We propose here a User eXperience (UX), interface (UI) and interaction (IxD) solutions inspired by a ''care'' theory. The theory is based on three concepts: ''care practice'', ''care as a process'' and ''effort''. The result is a modular interactive UX that guides visitors through the step-by-step reconstruction of lost polychromy, integrating archaeological, literary, and scientific data to foster a deeper connection with these fragile collections.
Inventing and Re-Inventing the Perception of Color
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Clay, Arthur; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
Developed within the PERCEIVE project, the Color Science Demonstrators exemplify a research-driven approach to rethinking how color is perceived, interpreted, and communicated through contemporary technologies. These artistic-technical prototypes translate complex scientific concepts and historical research into immersive, accessible experiences. Designed to engage both expert and public audiences, they serve as critical tools for exploring the intersection of digital innovation and cultural heritage. Each demonstrator corresponds to one of the five core scenarios in the PERCEIVE project- polychrome sculpture, painting, textiles, historical photography, and born-digital art-and reflects a distinct dimension of the project's inquiry, ranging from restoration science and digital heritage to immersive design and reinterpretation of historical narratives. Together, they transform abstract theoretical investigations into tangible, experiential formats. Each of the Color Science Demonstrators embodies a specific scenario from the PERCEIVE project, transforming scholarly inquiry into immersive experience. The Autochrome Demonstrator, addressing historical photography, visualizes early color processes through layered physical components and AI-generated reconstructions, raising questions about authenticity and restoration. The SCREAM Demonstrator, linked to painting, translates color diNerences in versions of Munch's The Scream into a topographic surface animated by light and sound, evoking an emotional and spatial reading of color. The VR CHROMA installation, tied to the born-digital art scenario, oNers a virtual exploration of the Chroma Tower and augmented artworks, positioning color as both symbolic and architectural within a navigable digital landscape. Lastly, the Gabinetto Segreto Demonstrator, referencing polychrome sculpture, abstracts the historical Roman cabinet into a compact illuminated form that channels the sensuality and mythology of antiquity through light-based projection and reinterpretation. By addressing distinct material and conceptual challenges in color conservation and representation, the Color Science Demonstrators not only showcase the technological and theoretical advances of the PERCEIVE project but also invite deeper public reflection on how color functions as both a perceptual phenomenon and a bearer of cultural meaning. Whether by evoking emotion, reconstructing historical processes, or imagining future interactions with digital art, these demonstrators challenge traditional modes of museum engagement and point toward new, inclusive models of cultural experience. They propose a forward-thinking approach to color-at once scientific, artistic, and profoundly human.
Digital Inpainting of Damaged Frescoes Using a Fine-Tuned Diffusion Model
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Smolka, Milena; Smolka, Bogdan; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
Frescoes are a vital part of cultural heritage, but they are increasingly deteriorating due to environmental and human factors. Traditional restoration methods are costly, labor-intensive, and may risk compromising the original artwork-particularly when the damaged content is uncertain. These challenges highlight the need for innovative approaches that can complement conventional techniques. This paper explores the application of a deep learning-based method for the virtual restoration of frescoes. The focus is on image inpainting, a process that fills in missing fragments by leveraging information from the undamaged parts of the image, while preserving consistency in texture, color, and artistic style. When enhanced by deep learning models, this approach enables the generation of realistic reconstructions, even for areas where the original appearance is unknown. The study evaluates the effectiveness of fine-tuned models in restoring both minor and major damage, such as small cracks and missing sections, using different sets of hyperparameters. Model performance was assessed using a combination of objective quality metrics and subjective evaluations. Additionally, an intuitive web-based tool was developed to make the restoration process more accessible and user-friendly.
Evaluating Zero-Shot Monocular Depth Estimation Models for Tactile Rendering of Paintings
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Magherini, Roberto; Servi, Michaela; Buonamici, Francesco; Furferi, Rocco; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
Access to pictorial art remains a significant challenge for visually impaired individuals, as 2D paintings require transformation into tactile 2.5D/3D models. While deep learning offers promising tools for monocular depth estimation (MDE), applying state-of-the-art zero-shot models to artworks presents unique difficulties due to artistic conventions (perspective, lighting, texture) and the lack of ground truth, especially concerning details crucial for tactile perception. This paper addresses this gap by qualitatively evaluating a wide range of SOTA zero-shot MDE models - including DepthAnything (v1/v2), Marigold, Metric3D v2, ZoeDepth, UniDepth (v1/v2/v2_old), GeoWizard (v1/v2), and Depth-Pro - on their ability to generate depth maps suitable for tactile rendering from two 20th-century Italian paintings with distinct styles and input qualities. The assessment, based on criteria like detail preservation, contour definition, spatial coherence, and artifact absence, reveals that while zero-shot models can interpret basic spatial structures, performance varies considerably. Models such as DepthAnything v2 and GeoWizard v2 demonstrated superior capabilities in preserving key features for tactile fruition, emerging as promising candidates. However, no model produced a directly usable output, highlighting persistent challenges in handling artistic styles and pictorial textures. This study provides the first systematic comparison in this niche application, offering practical insights for cultural institutions aiming to leverage AI for accessibility. It concludes that current zero-shot models, while valuable starting points requiring validation and refinement, show significant potential but also underscore the need for further research in areas like targeted post-processing, art-specific metrics, and user-centered validation to make cultural heritage truly accessible to all.
Digital technologies for the ''Grazia Deledda'' Literary Park in Galtellì (NU): the 3D virtual reconstruction of Pontes Castle
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Mariniello, Nicola; Giacomini, Federica; Obbiso, Sara; Sicilia, Francesco; Sanna, Antonio; Iannucci, Alessandro; Benvenuti, Giuliana; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
This paper aims to present one of the digital outputs of the ongoing project to enhance the Grazia Deledda Literary Park in Galtellì: the virtual reconstruction of the medieval Pontes Castle, located in an impervious and hard-to-reach area. Although it is now difficult to identify the original structure, historical research, graphic reconstructions, surveys, and the restoration and consolidation works provide valuable information about its layout, which can be further expanded and improved thanks to the application of digital technologies. The 3D digitization of Pontes Castle using Gaussian Splatting introduces a new way of documenting cultural heritage through photorealistic reconstruction without polygonal meshes. This technique enables real-time interactive visualization, reducing processing time compared to traditional photogrammetry while offering a more natural handling of light and details. At the same time, to assess the benefits offered by this technique, the field data will also be processed using well-established software in the field of classical photogrammetry. In this regard, the results obtained with conventional techniques can serve as a ground-truth reference to verify the quality of the 3D-GS point cloud.

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