국립문화유산연구원

Affiliated Institute

Heritage Imaging Technology

Digital Restoration

Recently, diverse digital techniques based on 3D data, along with visual analysis, have been used to restore the estimated prototypes of relics, boosting their aesthetic and academic value, and greatly assisting with the identification of their production techniques. These data are used to review relics before conservation treatment and restoration.

Digital Restoration Process

1. Precision 3D Scanning

The target relic's characteristics are identified and a 3D scanner suitable for examining such characteristics is selected before scanning it closely and thoroughly. This process produces an abundance of data, which are used in the work of completing the forms of the relics.

Precision 3D scanning

Arrangement of acquired data

2. Completion of 3D Forms

3D image data are combined and matched with each other to make a complete 3D image. An image is completed by dotting three or more identical points in the duplicated section when combining data.

3-point combination

Completion of 3D forms

3. Survey of Data

Before restoring images, using 2D photos and X-ray and CT images, not only the target relic's surface but also its interior should be observed, and various evidential historical data should be surveyed as reference data.

Observation of a connected area and a sketch of a restored form

CT images - connection of central members and their characteristics

4. Dismantling by Member

The majority of relics are either damaged and lost or transformed in some way. As such, a part that is close to a prototype should be selected, and the relic should be dismantled by member before modeling each one.

Dismantling by member

Modeling of open-work decorative design

5. Correction of Transformed Forms

Based on modeled members, the transformed form is corrected.

Difference between the corrected body and the existing member’s location

Correction of detached band decoration- Attachment to the body

6. Completion

Compare and examine the scanned data and the restored data and confirm the revised details before conducting the final examination

Comparison with original data

Final completion

7. Videos

Gilt-bronze Cap from the Andong Ancient Tomb to Goheung

Memorial Monument of the Cemetery of the Seven Hundred Righteous Warriors

CT

Computer tomography (CT) is an inspection method by which the same x-ray equipment principle is used, radiation is injected from a high-pressure x-ray tube into the target relic, a 3D image isreconstructed, and its internal form, defects, and so on are analyzed.

View data

Non-Destructive Survey of Cultural Heritages Using CT

Model: SEC X-EYE PCT
Tube voltage: Max. 225kV
Tube current: Max. 3mA
Max. power: 300W

Characteristics of CT

CT is conducted by shooting, recomposing, and analyzing images in that order.
Shooting images: While the relic rotates by 360°, certain X-rays continue to be released to scan the images.
Recomposing images: Transmit the scanned image files to the CT workstation to recompose them.
Analyzing images: Use the CT-eye3D software and transform the recomposed images into 3D images to analyze information.