3D scanning in Cultural Heritage: model creation and digital restoration of the tombstone of the bishop Vasilije Petrović (Negosh) in Saint Petersburg

3D laser and optical scanning techniques are widely employed in Cultural Heritage preservation for documenting pieces of different sizes and shapes. However, due to limitations of the methods available today, the results obtained vary according to different characteristics of the object under study. External surfaces showing very smooth features make the capturing process and the posterior processing a more elaborate task, requiring special attention and additional retouching to improve the final 3D model. Tombstones are a typical example of this type of objects, combining both flat external contours and refined outlines. In this work the procedure of creation of the digital model of the tombstone of the bishop Vasilije Petrović (Negosh) is described, a piece of art which combines both technical and historical importance. Post-processing steps required involved different software (Geomagic Design X, ZBrush, Adobe Photoshop) for surface correction and cleaning, details and photorealistic texture improvements and lost material restoration.