Interactive and immersive discovery of diagnostic processes on multi-layered 3D collections on the web: the MuLaX tool
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Eurographics Association
Abstract
Web3D technologies and recent standards allow nowadays to craft rich and interactive tools to present complex and multi-dimensional scientific data. The efficient visualization of 3D models enriched with analytical data acquired from archaeometric surveys on cultural heritage artefacts have become a fundamental aspect in digital preservation. Innovative scientific approaches and accessible interaction models enable experts and the general public to discover invisible or lost information (e.g. ancient polychromy on statuary or faded colors on paintings or textiles), edit and compare multiple datasets. In this paper, we present a Web3D tool called ''MuLaX'', designed and developed under the PERCEIVE European project: we describe its modular architecture, components and features offering users new ways to access, discover and examine multi-dimensional statuary collections directly online. The tool was developed on top of the open-source ATON framework, as plug\&play vertical application: it offers interactive discovery models for analytical/color data (layers), interactive annotation system for spot-analyses (microscope, X-ray fluorescence, etc.) or imaging (Visible-induced Luminescence, Ultraviolet-induced Visible Luminescence, etc.). Designed to handle multiple items (collections), MuLaX is also accessible on every device - from smartphones up to XR devices - and embraces modern web standards, formats and large open ecosystems to maximize interoperability and reuse. Furthermore, MuLaX explores dynamic image-based masks, providing easy ways to describe complex but network-wise compact semantic areas on top of the artwork, generated by other services or via interactive semantic painting. The Web3D tool also integrates with the PERCEIVE ecosystem, using its cloud to access items collection, analytical/color layers and semantic masks. This enables comfortable and flexible management by remote researchers and professionals, as well as remote processing of such data by online PERCEIVE services. In addition to a responsive UI, MuLaX also offers final users access to different XR presentation modes via WebXR, using spatial user interfaces for immersive inspection and discovery of artworks. The preliminary results of the considerable applicability of the tool were discussed in the context of the case study of Venus in a bikini exhibited at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN) and studied within the PERCEIVE project, as well as ongoing extension of MuLaX tool to embrace artworks in the 2D domain (like paintings), thanks to its flexible architectural design.
Description
CCS Concepts: Human-centered computing → Visualization systems and tools; Interactive systems and tools; Interaction techniques; Scientific visualization
@inproceedings{10.2312:dh.20253102,
booktitle = {Digital Heritage},
editor = {Campana, Stefano and Ferdani, Daniele and Graf, Holger and Guidi, Gabriele and Hegarty, Zackary and Pescarin, Sofia and Remondino, Fabio},
title = {{Interactive and immersive discovery of diagnostic processes on multi-layered 3D collections on the web: the MuLaX tool}},
author = {Fanini, Bruno and Massidda, Marcello and Ferdani, Daniele and Bonifazi, Federica and Magrini, Donata and Iannaccone, Roberta and Barandoni, Cristiana},
year = {2025},
publisher = {The Eurographics Association},
ISBN = {978-3-03868-277-6},
DOI = {10.2312/dh.20253102}
}