Drawing and interactive architectural walkthrough to communicate complex spaces

The communication of Cultural Heritage based on interactive tools and heterogeneous data is a current research topic. The article investigates different ways of using 3D point clouds to improve the communication of complex artifacts. It evaluates a communication system based on an active and exploratory experience that triggers new cognitive processes and proposes a virtual place for learning about complex architectures. The case study analyzed is Porta San Sebastiano, one of the historical Roman gates. The representation of orthogonal projections is the first necessary step to explaining the whole building, but it is insufficient to provide a comprehensive overview of its complexity. The introduction of interactive 3D data navigation based on point clouds and linked 2D images allows for broader and more dynamic exploration. It serves as a complementary and integrative tool for the understanding complex asset.