New software and technologies applied to documentation and communication of Cultural Heritage

In the last seven years researchers have been using the stereo-photogrammetry tecnique to achieve more data in comparison to the monoscopic photogrammetry. The stereoscopic vision is achieved by two or more pictures taken from different position (with at least the 60% of overlapping between the two shots), unified in a second step with common spots. Using this method it is possible to detect more levels of the object’s history and conduct through measurations in real time. Many professional and semiprofessional photogrammetical software based on the image processing have therefore been recently developed, for archaeology, architecture, and more in general the restoration and preservation sector: ZScan (Menci Software), Z-Map (Menci Software), UMap (Menci Software), Photomodeler Scanner (EOS System), Orthoware (Metria Digital S.L.), Image Master (Topcon), Photoscan Pro (Agisoft), Image Modeler (Autodesk). These software allow to produce several analysis from the photos: orthophotos, D.E.M., 3D reconstruction geometrically correct, coordinate system creation, metrical inquiries, 2D and 3D drawing on models. Every software, even if usable in several disciplines, has his peculiarity and specific function, so that the ideal study of a site, building or object can be achieved combining more techniques and software, trying to use the bright sides of each one. The rapid development is making possible also to do photogrammetical 3D reconstruction with any mobile device (smartphone or tablet), a binding news that is getting closer a far more numerous public than before. The aim of my research was to compare and study the various software in their application to the Building Archaeology, in order to suggest which software fits best for which project, and to suggest how to combine them.