75885 - Image Processing and Virtual Restoration

Learning outcomes

The course prepares the student to use hardware and software processes for the acquisition and processing of digital images of artwork, including diagnostic images in different frequency bands , and for the realization of virtual reality simulations and virtual restoration interventions based on a knowledge of the main phenomena of deterioration of the cultural object . At the end of the course, the student will know the principles of digital images’ representation of digital images and will be able to perform computer processing to prepare them for analysis and restoration.

Course contents

The course consists of a general part on the nature of the digital image, raster and vector, on the technical characteristics of both types and the different digital formats for storage and transmission. It will be introduced to the concept of two-dimensional and three-dimensional virtual restoration and discussion built around its definition and its significance.

A second part of the course will focus on the use and management of the digital document in the main application fields related to cultural heritage (historical, artistic, musical and historical, archaeological and anthropological archeological); case studies will be discussed with particular reference to the historical context (documentation, analysis and virtual restoration of manuscripts, printed texts and schedules, historical cartography) and art history field (multispectral images for diagnostic and restoration).

A third part of the course will be focused on the use of specific software for documentation, analysis and virtual restoration; will be compared and proprietary software open source solutions. Software and procedures of image editing will be specifically illustrated by means of Photoshop and The Gimp and I twill be taught how to create three-dimensional models from two-dimensional images using Autodesk 123D Catch.

Readings/Bibliography

For the first part of the course:

• R.C. Gonzalez, R.E. Woods, Elaborazione delle immagini digitali 3/Ed., Pearson, 2008. Capp. 1, 2, 6, 8.
• M. Limoncelli, Il restauro virtuale in archeologia, Carocci, 2012. Capp. 1-6.
• M. Bianchini, Manuale di rilievo e di documentazione digitale in archeologia, Aracne, 2008. Capp. 7-10.

For the second part of the course:

• R. Netz et al. (a cura di), The Archimedes Palimpsest, Cambridge University Press, 2011. Part IV – The Digital Palimpsest.
• G. Poldi, G.C.F. Villa, Dalla conservazione alla storia dell’arte. Riflettografia e analisi non invasive per lo studio dei dipinti, edizioni delle Normale, 2006. Pp. 1-240. Scaricabile al link https://www.academia.edu/1289624/Dalla_conservazione_alla_storia_dellarte._Riflettografia_e_analisi_non_invasive_per_lo_studio_dei_dipinti_with_Giovanni_C.F._Villa_
• M. Orlandi., La documentazione delle decorazioni musive tramite sistemi informativi: il cantiere scuola di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo., in C. Muscolino (a cura di), Sant'Apollinare Nuovo: un cantiere esemplare, pp. 135-137.
• M. Orlandi., La documentazione grafica delle superfici musive attraverso l’utilizzo dei Sistemi Informativi, in Muscolino C., Ranaldi A., Tedeschi C., (a cura di) Il Battistero Neoniano: uno sguardo attraverso il restauro, Ravenna.

Further references will be given during the course.

Class attendance is highly recommended; students who cannot follow the course will have to arrange a program with the teacher.

Teaching methods

The teaching method will use lectures to illustrate concepts and case studies; tutorials will follow classes in the computer lab at Palazzo Corradini in order to allow students to work directly on some case studies prepared in order to practice the techniques discussed.

Assessment methods

Verification of learning will take place through an oral interview and through the development of a practical project of virtual restoration or virtual analysis through the use of digital techniques of the image that the student must be agreed with the teacher. Through the oral exam will be determined understanding of the basics of digital images and their use in cultural heritage; through the elaborate will be determined the practical ability of the student in dealing with digital images for analysis and virtual restoration.

The evaluation will follow the following criteria:

• Negative: the student demonstrates weaknesses in basic concepts of matter, in distinguishing the types of digital images and their characteristics. The proposed project presents methodological errors and/or lack of originality.
• Satisfactory: the student demonstrates to know the basic concepts albeit not always precise; the proposed project is correct but do not present enough originality and has some with methodological and technical inaccuracies.
• Good: the student has a good preparation of the concepts and their exposure; the project has developed a good application of the methodologies discussed and a discrete structural complexity.
• Excellent: the student shows he learned and developed in a personal way the theoretical foundations on the nature and applications of digital images. The project has developed methodological consistency, adherence to themes, complexity and full autonomy.

 

 

Teaching tools

The educational activities will be supported by laboratory work in the computer lab of Palazzo Corradini; pc and software will be available for practical exercises in support of what is shown in the lectures . The student will have the opportunity to learn how to use techniques and methodologies on case studies. Handouts and articles will be distributed together with powerpoint and reference websites.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Orlandi