This paper examines 3D modelling of architectural elements with the help of parametric components. Such components may be useful within the framework of projects dealing with virtual 3D reconstruction of heritage monuments. Architectural components of the built heritage often have complex geometry. We studied the various geometrical shapes of a given architectural element, representative of a specific period and place. This study allowed us to identify the parameters and to implement parametric objects (in Maya Environment [1]). We also developed a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to answer the user's needs while generating the 3D model representing the architectural element. Within this GUI, the user is able to make adjustments with the help of laser point clouds from laserscanning, 2D plans or photographs. We exemplify our method with a case study dealing with openings and lintels. The corpus under study consists of elements of the built heritage of Montreal (Canada) and Nancy (France).

This is a peer-reviewed article in Digital Studies/Le champ numérique, a journal published by the Open Library of Humanities.

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