3D Modeling for Historical Structure using Terrestrial Laser Ranging Data 
Hiroshi YOKOYAMA , Hirofumi CHIKATSU 
Tokyo Denki Univ., Dept. of Civil Eng., 
Hatoyama, Saitama, 350-0394 JAPAN 
E-mail: (yokoyama, chikatsu; @g.dendai.ac.jp 
Commission V, WG V/4 
KEY WORDS: Cultural Heritage, Modeling, Visualization, Laser scanning, Representation, Three-dimensional, 
Digital 
ABSTRACT: 
Recently, a laser scanner has been receiving more attention as a useful tool for real-time 3D data acquisition, and 
various applications such as city modeling, DTM generation and 3D modeling of cultural heritage were proposed. 
However, 3D Representation of historical structures from point cloud 3D data collected by laser scanner is still 
issues. In order to reduce the time, labor and skill for archival recording of the cultural heritage, the authors discuss 
measuring system using 3D scanner and 3D modeling. 
This paper describes on 3D representation of historical structure using laser scanner and break-line by flatness. 
1. INTRODUCTION 
With respect to recording work, it is essential to 
reduce the amount of time, labor, and skill 
employed while making archival records of a 
historical structure. In order to do so a laser scanner 
is used to measure the sites, and on the basis of the 
results, an image of the model is constructed. 
The Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) model is 
generally generated for 3D modeling using all the 
measured points", however, the large amount of 
point cloud data obtained by the laser scanner pose 
a problem. 
Although the Marching Cube Algorithm is generated 
for reduction of the data values or the polygon 
number, the precision setting of the model changes. 
This issue becomes a particularly serious problem in 
accurate 3D modeling. In this paper, the 3D 
modeling of a historical structure, using a laser 
scanner and break-lines will be introduced. 
2. 3D REPRESENTATION 
Figure 1 presents a flowchart of certain processes for 
the 3D representation of the historical structure. 
Recently, the laser scanner has attracted considerable 
attention as a measurement tool that can perform 
extensive 3D measurements in a short time. A Total 
Station is often used for this purpose, but it requires 
a greater amount of measurement time, labor, and 
skill as compared with the laser scanner. Hence, the 
authors measured the historical structure and carried 
out 3D modeling using laser scanners to save time 
and labor. Additional technical outlines are presented 
later. 
  
Measurement of the Historical 
Structure at Multiple Locations 
  
  
  
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Detection of Break-Lines and Construction of 
TIN Model on the Basis of Measurement Results 
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
Unification of the Coordinate System on 
the Basis of Measurement Results 
  
  
  
  
  
| 3D Modeling with Texture a 
  
Fig.l Flowchart for 3D Representation 
3. 3D MODELINGN USING BREAK-LINES 
3.1 Outline of Modeling Process 
The historical structure consists of several flat parts.