Laura Moltedo

Computer aided analysis of the buildings

Abstract This paper examines how information systems can assist experts to analyse the state of conservation of buildings of historic importance. The main focus is on image compression, characterisation and recognition, all of which are fundamental for defining a database on the state of conservation. In particular, an overview of available methods is presented for characterising the structure of materials and recognising the various degrees of degradation. A new unified approach to image compression, characterisation and recognition is also proposed. Applications are included for processing stone images.

Virtual reality and Web tools to convey the visual information of ancient monuments

Visual communication and visual knowledge are areas that can take important benefits from mature CG technologies. This paper demonstrates a methodology to give new insights into cultural heritage which is based on virtual reality techniques, Web navigation tools, advanced image analysis and photorealistic image synthesis methods. A VRML model of the ancient Roman Theatre of Aosta is the basis to explore multiple data types describing the current status of the building and to examine possible restoration and conservation choices. JAVA scripts increase the degree of interactivity with the data collected by the experts. Photometric and colorimetric data are derived by analysing stones. Image analysis and surface reconstruction algorithms are used to obtain a geometric representation of stones, necessary to produce photorealistic samples of both the present status and the past and future conditions of the building. The final rendering, using VRML tools, has been implemented by adopting texturing as well as photorealistic methods.

Color image coding combining linear prediction and iterated function systems

Abstract This paper describes three color image coding schemes combining linear prediction and iterated function systems. Linear prediction is based on the known autoregressive model, while iterated function systems (IFS) are implemented using quadtree partitioning. After describing the coding schemes, comparisons are carried out in terms of objective results. Simulation studies indicate that the proposed coding schemes produce images of quality ranging from fairly good to good, while performing significantly better than IFS alone with respect to computing time.

ANIMA: An Interactive Tool for Scientific Data Animation

This paper describes an animation interactive system that produces image sequences used to study the numerical results of scientific simulations. The fundamental goal of the system is to provide an easy method for observing and exploring scientific computation during its space‐time evolution. To do that it is necessary to combine simulation processes, algorithmic and key frame animation with geometric transformations, light effects and camera movements. ANIMA allows the researcher to use animation without special programming, with the aid of a graphic user interface. Modelling, rendering, motion control and synchronization of graphic objects are interactively specified by the animator in order to define an animation script. The system development methodology follows an object‐oriented technique using modular programming, abstract data type definition, and graphic metaphor with user interface menus.

An implementer's view of CGM in GKS environment

The aim of our research is to find implementation strategies for producing a generator and an interpreter of CGM which are independent of any graphical system. Our attention has also been focused on handling graphical information in accordance with the rules of 7-bit character encoding, proposed by IS0 in cooperation with ECMA* and CEFT. The overlying graphical system can be the Graphical Kernel System (GKS).3

Adaptive Semantics of Complex Information/Services Networks: A Case Study from Cultural Heritage

A unified view to Semantic Web/Grid Information and Services Discovery and Management is being investigated at CNR both at the theoretical level and at the experimental level. The mathematical foundations are being developed with algebraic methods. An experimental prototype is being realized in the area of Cultural Heritage. The paper presents achievements and future directions.

Interfacing with C.H.A.A.T. (Cultural Heritage Assisted Analysis Tools)

User-interface and functionalitys of a system oriented to support the analysis of the conservation state of historical building monuments are presented. A main aspect of the system is its capability to simulate possible visual scenarios of evolution.

MUDI3: a tool for the Interactive Visual Analysis of Multidimensional Fields

The paper describes the general characteristics of MUDI3 system which is a tool to interactively represent scalar and vectorial multidimensional fields. The main topics of scientific visualization research related to MUDI3 design are examined, implementation considerations and application examples are mentioned too.

PHIFI : a PHIGS interactive system for the visualization of scalar and vector fields

This paper describes the characteristics of PHIFI, an interactive system for the visualization of scalar and vector fields. PHIFI has been developed at the IAC where applications of the system have also been investigated.

Panel natural, cultural & cybercultural interfaces: points of view

The title of the panel implies a walk through on different interfaces based on human-dependent assumptions that may condition their implementation, their application and their usability. The nature of the problems encountered when designing a system that should be used by different classes of users - and therfore must satisfy and facilitate access to information to people having varied skills - is manifold. Nevertheless, by designing user-centered interfaces we are trying to improve the quality of work, reduce memory load, enable the detection and extraction of the required information for making evaluations, taking decisions and smoothly progress along a well-defined path until the project termination.The people in the panel have a wide range of experiences in the broad area of multimedia communication and, more particularly, have worked in different communication domains where the spatial view, the environment and the application determine the features of the interface, in some cases considering management and inventory problems, artistic work, data search and navigation activities, in others restoration (and relative documentation) projects with the possibility of monitoring such projects. In particular, the importance of a small scale prototype to verify some of the basic assumptions, which were established at the beginning of the interface design project, must be strongly considered. The purpose of the panel will be to review and discuss the nature of communication for a given set of environments and cultural patterns, debating the nature of some established guidelines and suggesting new ones while also focusing on the specific applications stemming from Cultural Heritage, where the nature of information is complex and multifold: numerical, textual and pictorial. Likewise, the motivation for the users of the proposed systems may differ from one time period to another, so changing goals, methods and actions to be undertaken by such users according to the present status of the activity. Restoration, classification, documentation and presentation are some of the different functions that are typical of the application we are considering and which will be analyzed by the panelists.