Assessment of a Restoration Need by Experts Using 3D-Models in VR-Case Study Based on a Digitalized Historic Object

This paper aims to explore the opportunities of a virtual assessment of a historical object in a virtual environment with the help of VR glasses and which advantages and disadvantages result from such an approach. This project is a collaboration of the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems with the project NOEDIKOM and the Burghauptmannschaft Austria with the project VI-Train, which both explore the possibilities of 3D digitization in the context of cultural heritage. This study deals with assessment of a restoration of an object by experts in VR and tries to identify the differences to the assessment in the real environment. After seeing the 3D model in VR by experts, the possibilities of such assessment are discussed. A use of such technologies is more than relevant for future cultural heritage assessments and the research showed many more advantages than disadvantages. The research was done as a kind of case study using a digitized wall. This cannot be generally applied to all assessments and needs further research. However, this approach can be very helpful and broadly applicable to future assessments. This paper gives a new insight into VR applications in areas where it did not exist before. So far, no assessments regarding restoration work have been held in VR and the approach in this research can be the new and effective way of future assessments.