The National Gallery in London has recently been testing the potential of 3D scanning technology to record and measure the surface of paintings. To view and interact with the high-resolution scans requires expensive computational hardware. The proposed workflow borrows some of the techniques used in the gaming industry to provide a computationally efficient interactive interface, even suitable for online viewing. The workflow synergises multiple imaging techniques, and therefore provides better texture representation than 3D scanning alone. The process provides a new way of visualising possible relations across paint layers by combining normal maps with existing image based techniques. 3D laser scanning. 3D models. 3D visualisation. Normal maps. Reflectance transformation imaging. Paintings.

Digital and analogue printing methods are studied for reconstructing a Mayan decorative relief from the ancient temple of the Jaguars. Height maps, image files encoding height information as intensity values, were produced in commercial image editing software from early 20th century photographic records. Physical height was generated in different materials through analogue printing processes including casting and embossing from photo exposed polymer plates, and digital processes including 2.5D elevated printing and stereolithography. The surface geometry of the outcomes from the analogue processes was recorded using photometric stereo to obtain feedback on the translation of the grayscale range onto relief. 2.5D prints produced with Canon Elevated Printing and stereolithography were used for comparison and qualitive assessment. Differences, parallels and sustainability of the processes are discussed.