Investigation into the creation of automated systems and output techniques for archaeological line maps and cultural relics

doi:10.11996/JG.j.2095-302X.2026051052

Abstract

Abstract:

To address the limitations of current digital heritage conservation practices, including the high level of professional expertise required for manual drafting, low drawing efficiency, operator-dependent errors, and the risk of secondary damage to cultural relics during physical measurement, as well as the technical bottlenecks of line-drawing techniques in digital heritage conservation，a non-contact method for the automatic generation of archaeological line drawings was proposed, and an automated archaeological drawing system was developed based on the Grasshopper parametric platform. Using three-dimensional models reconstructed from preprocessed point-cloud data, the proposed method enabled the automated generation of archaeological line drawings through four core modules. First, the geometric correction module analyzed the covariance matrix of the point cloud and extracted its eigenvectors to construct a rotation matrix, thereby correcting deviations caused by scanning posture. An affine transformation was subsequently applied to normalize the spatial reference and reset the model origin. Second, the geometric segmentation module performed accurate model sectioning through the parametric construction of cutting planes and Boolean operations. Third, the projection generation module applied orthographic projection algorithms to produce half-sectional and plan views. Fourth, the dynamic annotation module established an adaptive mapping relationship between model dimensions and annotation font size, thereby enabling intelligent annotation. The system was primarily intended for artifacts with relatively well-defined morphological characteristics. With manual intervention during model preprocessing, it established an efficient archaeological line-drawing workflow centered on parametric processing and automated output. The proposed approach reduced visual errors caused by manual operation, avoided secondary damage to cultural relics, and substantially improved drawing efficiency and adherence to academic standards. It therefore provided a theoretically rigorous and practically applicable technical paradigm for the digital conservation of cultural heritage. Future work will further develop the texture-mapping module by incorporating high-resolution photographs and texture images of cultural relics to enhance the realism and detail representation of three-dimensional models, thereby extending the application value of the system in digital heritage documentation, presentation, and conservation.

Key words: digital heritage conservation, 3D data acquisition, Grasshopper system design, line drawing of cultural relics, contactless data collection

CLC Number:

TN 249
K 854

HE Yicheng, WANG Xupeng, CHEN Wenhui. Investigation into the creation of automated systems and output techniques for archaeological line maps and cultural relics[J]. Journal of Graphics, 2026, 47(5): 1052-1061.

Figures/Tables 11

Table 1 Technical indicators for three-dimensional digital acquisition of movable cultural relics[15]

采集成果类型	内容	技术指标
三维扫描数据	点云	平均点间距≤0.05 mm 最大点间距≤0.02 mm
三维扫描数据	网格模型	模型精度≤0.1 mm 模型完整度≥98%
摄影测量纹理模型数据	网格模型	模型精度≤0.15 mm 模型完整度≥95%
摄影测量纹理模型数据	纹理贴图	纹理贴图分辨率≥300 DPI CIEDE2000色差平均值≤3.5

Fig. 1 Archaeological mapping output process

Fig. 2 Three-dimensional schematic diagram of model orientation correction flowchart

Fig. 3 Model orientation correction Grasshopper

Fig. 4 3D schematic diagram of model segmentation

Fig. 5 Grasshopper flowchart for model segmentation

Fig. 6 Archaeological mapping outputs 3D schematic diagrams

Fig. 7 Archaeological drawings output Grasshopper flowcharts

Fig. 8 Dimension Grasshopper flowchart

Fig. 9 Complex line drawing case

Fig. 10 Cases of automatic mapping and manual mapping

References 15

[1]	耿国华, 冯龙, 李康, 等. 秦陵文物数字化及虚拟复原研究综述[J]. 西北大学学报(自然科学版), 2021, 51(5): 709-721.
	GENG G H, FENG L, LI K, et al. A literature review on the digitization and virtual restoration of cultural relics in the Mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang[J]. Journal of Northwest University (Natural Science Edition), 2021, 51(5): 709-721 (in Chinese).
[2]	李爱群, 苗一鸣, 侯妙乐, 等. 基于高精度三维模型的大型石窟类文物等比例复制[J]. 文物保护与考古科学, 2022, 34(3): 125-132.
	LI A Q, MIAO Y M, HOU M L, et al. An equal proportion reproduction method for large grotto cultural relics based on high-precision 3D models[J]. Sciences of Conservation and Archaeology, 2022, 34(3): 125-132 (in Chinese).
[3]	李兆歆, 蒋浩, 刘衍青, 等. 丝路文化虚拟体验中的多视角立体重建技术研究[J]. 计算机学报, 2022, 45(3): 500-512.
	LI Z X, JIANG H, LIU Y Q, et al. Research on multi-view stereo 3D reconstruction in virtual reality system of Silk Road cultural inheritance[J]. Chinese Journal of Computers, 2022, 45(3): 500-512 (in Chinese).
[4]	欧阳静宣, 徐升亮, 肖礼兵, 等. 基于三维激光扫描的摩崖石刻重建技术与精度研究[J]. 特种铸造及有色合金, 2023, 43(12): 1724-1728.
	OUYANG J X, XU S L, XIAO L B, et al. Reconstruction technology and accuracy of cliff stone carvings based on 3D laser scanning[J]. Special Casting & Nonferrous Alloys, 2023, 43(12): 1724-1728 (in Chinese).
[5]	王雪峰, 张自豪, 陈兴稣, 等. 稀疏角度数据下非视域物体三维重建方法研究[J]. 激光与红外, 2022, 52(3): 451-457.
	WANG X F, ZHANG Z H, CHEN X S, et al. Research on 3D objects reconstruction method of none-line-of sight with sparse angle data[J]. Laser & Infrared, 2022, 52(3): 451-457 (in Chinese).
[6]	谭冰钰, 薛艳敏, 钦松. 中国石窟文物数字化技术方法研究综述[J]. 图学学报, 2025, 46(3): 479-490. DOI
	TAN B Y, XUE Y M, QIN S. Review of digital technology methods for grottoes cultural relics in China[J]. Journal of Graphics, 2025, 46(3): 479-490 (in Chinese). DOI
[7]	兰静. 考古文物绘图轮廓线提取及绘图流程研究[J]. 文物鉴定与鉴赏, 2022, 230(11): 174-176.
	LAN J. Research on the extraction of the outline line of the drawing of archaeological relics and the mapping process[J]. Identification and Appreciation to Cultural Relics, 2022, 230(11): 174-176 (in Chinese).
[8]	刘军, 周明全, 耿国华, 等. 基于视觉曲率估算的文物线图绘制方法[J]. 计算机科学, 2017, 44(S2): 244-250.
	LIU J, ZHOU M Q, GENG G H, et al. Drawing method of cultural relics line drawing based on visual curvature estimation[J]. Computer Science, 2017, 44(S2): 244-250 (in Chinese).
[9]	李康, 李静, 孙家泽, 等. 一种改进的薄壁文物碎片特征轮廓线提取技术[J]. 图学学报, 2015, 36(2): 251-256.
	LI K, LI J, SUN J Z, et al. An improved technique of extracting feature contour from thin-walled cultural relic fragments[J]. Journal of Graphics, 2015, 36(2): 251-256 (in Chinese).
[10]	李璨, 耿国华, 李康, 等. 一种基于三维模型的文物碎片线图生成方法[J]. 计算机技术与发展, 2014, 24(7): 25-28, 33.
	LI C, GENG G H, LI K, et al. A method of obtaining cultural debris’s line chart based on three-dimensional model[J]. Computer Technology and Development, 2014, 24(7): 25-28, 33 (in Chinese).
[11]	王莹, 刘鹏欢, 陈雅鑫, 等. 基于邻域点集稠密度的古陶瓷碎片轮廓线提取算法[J]. 西北大学学报(自然科学版), 2025, 55(1): 118-128.
	WANG Y, LIU P H, CHEN Y X, et al. Contour extraction algorithm of ancient ceramic fragments based on the density of neighborhood point set[J]. Journal of Northwest University (Natural Science Edition), 2025, 55(1): 118-128 (in Chinese).
[12]	宗立成, 王娜娜. 计算机辅助青铜器纹饰特征线识别方法研究[J]. 图学学报, 2020, 41(6): 1018-1023.
	ZONG L C, WANG N N. Research on computer aided recognition method of bronze decoration feature contour[J]. Journal of Graphics, 2020, 41(6): 1018-1023 (in Chinese).
[13]	马超. 光场智能采集技术在博物馆文物数字化中的应用与探索[J]. 电子元器件与信息技术, 2025, 9(1): 84-87.
	MA C. Application and exploration of light field intelligent acquisition technology in the digitization of museum cultural relics[J]. Electronic Components and Information Technology, 2025, 9(1): 84-87 (in Chinese).
[14]	袁国平. 三维激光扫描技术在文物保护中的应用[J]. 矿山测量, 2018, 46(5): 93-97.
	YUAN G P. Application of 3D laser scanning in conservation of cultural relics[J]. Mine Surveying, 2018, 46(5): 93-97 (in Chinese).
[15]	黄墨樵. WW/T 0115-2023《可移动文物三维数字化采集与加工》文物保护行业标准解读[J]. 中国标准化, 2024(23): 170-178.
	HUANG M Q. Interpretation of sectoral standard for conservation of cultural relics WW/T 0115-2023, three-dimensional digital acquisition and processing of movable cultural relics[J]. China Standardization, 2024(23): 170-178 (in Chinese).