3D mapping as a tool for the planning of preservation measures on sculptures made of natural stone

The article deals with the comparison between 2D and 3D evaluation of surface areas of sculptures. The objects chosen for investigation were Apollo (Carrara Marble, Potsdam Sanssouci), Flora (Laas Marble, Castle and Park Nymphenburg Munich) and Juno (Cotta Sandstone, Baroque Garden Grossedlitz/Dresden). Photographs showing the sculptures from all sides were used for calculating 2D surface areas with AutoCAD 2018 software. 3D models were generated with T-Scan 2 (Steinbichler Company), and 3D surface areas were evaluated with CAD software Geomagic Studio. The results show that 3D total surface area determinations of virtual 3D models are much more precise than 2D determinations on photographs. The values of the total surface area differ significantly. In case of Apollo 2D measurement captures only 66% of the real total surface. For measuring surface roughness, standardized Bosch sandpapers with P classification were used. Microphotographs of marble and sandstone surfaces show the development and the general optical appearance of increasing roughness. As expected, 2D calculation gives smaller values than 3D calculation also in case of surface roughness. In case of Apollo the P400 roughness area calculated with 2D measurement yields only 26% of the real area calculated with 3D. The accuracy of the surface 2D measurement clearly depends on the complexity of the sculpture because undercuts cannot be captured on photographs. It is shown that accurate information about the distribution of damage phenomena helps to improve planning conservation measures.