Generating a 3D tool to represent graphically the damages of Santa Barbara Castle (Alicante)

Abstract

Santa Barbara castle is one of the largest fortified complexes of the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Set in a strategic enclave in the city of Alicante. It has been transformed over the centuries since its origin, so that nowadays includes numerous buildings inside its area. The fortified area contains several lines bastioned and some medieval and Muslim fronts, composed of quadrangular towers. During the years 2007 and 2008, a research team composed of members from the University of Alicante, the University of Burgos and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia has developed a study on the conservation status of the Castle. This study has been funded through research grants from the Generalitat Valenciana (Project GV reference 2007/150), and an agreement with Manuel Peláez Foundation. We have generated a 3D object of the whole, composed by clouds of millions points, through laser-scanner in order to manage the analysis of the architectural element’s conservation status that make up the huge fortified complex. This tool reduced greatly the architectural survey work, providing an extremely accurate. They were developed through the program Pointools View, generating JPEG files, which were imported from Autocad. Later we undertook a comprehensive making of photos — some 7,000 photographs, which we linked to the 3D object. Thus we have immediate access to the photographs of each element of the Castle from the program Pointools View with a simple click on each 3D element. The graphic representation of damages was done on screen with programs Pointools View and Autocad open simultaneously. This technique has meant better accuracy in the study of conservation status and has greatly reduced the time commitment.