Capturing every detail with 3D laser scanning
If you know of the famous Night Watch Piece created in 1642 by Rembrandt, then you know it is an iconic piece. Many researchers have wanted to preserve this piece because it shows a particular type of painting style that is known throughout the Northern Netherlands. The piece is highly detailed and shows off Captain Frans Banning Cocq and 16 of their men. The painting is dark with mysterious shadows and bright with reds, blues, and yellows, it is highly detailed, and many wonder how this extraordinary work was done. To help preserve it, researchers have adopted 3D laser scanning.
The best thing about this technology is that it is terrific for art and museums to preserve this type of painting. This specific piece is older than many of us and needs to be handled with delicacy, and that is precisely what using 3D laser scanning can achieve. On top of that, it will help map out the entire artwork. This is called ‘topography’; it maps out the whole surface of an area. The coolest thing is they will determine where exactly the painter started and how he worked.
How can 3D scanning be so precise
Some of you may be wondering how a piece of technology can unearth all of those findings. How can 3D laser scanning help restore the painting? Those are all great questions, and there are straightforward answers. The best thing about this technology is it is easy to use and simple to understand.
The scanning tool uses lasers to project over an object capturing things like holes, scratches, markings, and more. The lasers are being measured by the distances that travel while they bounce over the piece. Simultaneously, rapid pictures are being taken of the object, allowing researchers to fully see the object rather than imagine it.
Once this information is captured, the images are processed and sent to an editing system. In the editing application, the researchers can see exactly where the artists started and the steps they need to cover holes, tears, and what solution would be the best. 3D laser scanning gives researchers greater insight than ever before.
Will this harm the objects
Any object being scanned is not at risk of anything harmful. These lasers are strong enough to capture precise information but do not use any chemicals that harm the human using the equipment. It is noninvasive and will not chip paint or create any problems on the artifact or piece.
It allows for the piece to be handled less and, therefore, further preserved and allows them to accurately understand how something was made without taking it apart layer by layer. This makes the latest technology incredibly useful for researchers who need to observe unobtrusively.
Final thoughts
Many museums have decided to adopt 3D laser scanning because it is the best way to preserve something without ruining it further. It allows them to touch pieces less and to see deeper than ever before. This tool can help restore many older paintings that are now wearing away.
