Realistic visualisation of the Pompeii frescoes

Three dimensional computer reconstruction provides us with a means of visualising past environments, allowing us a glimpse of the past that might otherwise be difficult to appreciate. Many of the images generated for this purpose are photorealistic, but no attempt has been made to ensure they are physically and perceptually valid. We are attempting to rectify these inadequacies through the use of accurate lighting simulation. By determining the appropriate spectral data of the original light sources and using them to illuminate a scene, the viewer can perceive a site and its artefacts in close approximation to the original environment. The richly decorated and well-preserved frescoes of the House of the Vettii in Pompeii have been chosen as a subject for the implementation of this study. This paper describes how, by using photographic records, modelling packages and luminaire values from a spectroradiometer, a three dimensional model can be created and then rendered in a lighting visu...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2001
• Where: AFRIGRAPH
• Authors: Kate Devlin, Alan Chalmers
• Keywords: Accurate Lighting Simulation, AFRIGRAPH 2001, Appropriate Spectral Data, Original Light Sources, Virtual Reality