The Method of Decomposition of Architectural Objects for the preparation of 3D Virtual Models and Replication

Three-dimensional (3D) printing of historic architectural objects reduces the entire digital model by up to 200 times. With this scaling of the digital 3D model, many important architectural and decorative details are lost, and some elements lose their stiffness. Printed 3D models are now used to create specialised museum exhibitions that allow visitors to get to know them kinesthetically. This ability to touch objects applies not only to visually impaired people, but to all interested visitors. The paper describes the preparation of a digital 3D model (D3DM) dedicated to 3D printing by decomposing the real model into sub-models and using different scaling values for individual elements. The practical part presents three-dimensional modelling of historic architectural objects of Lublin and their replicas made on 3D printers in the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technology. Virtual models designed in this way retain important details of objects and are also scalable as a whole, which allows for obtaining printed objects of various dimensions.

Automated summary

The three-dimensional printing of historic architectural objects involves reducing the digital model significantly, potentially leading to the loss of important details. Despite this, printed models are being used for specialised museum exhibitions to provide visitors with a kinesthetic experience. The preparation of digital 3D models and the practical production of replicas using FFF technology are key aspects of this study.