Skip to main contentSkip to search
Episciences
Open Access Journals
Sign in(new window)
Transformations: A DARIAH Journal  logo
Transformations: A DARIAH Journal
Transformations: A DARIAH Journal  logo
Transformations: A DARIAH Journal
Sign in(new window)
Articles & Issues
All articlesAll accepted articlesAll volumesLast volumeSectionsAuthors
About
The journalNews
Boards
Publish
For authorsEthical charterProposing special issues
Submit
Transformations: A DARIAH Journal  logo
Journal's leaflet
|
Contact
|
Credits
eISSN 3095-3200
|
RSS
|
Atom
Episciences
Documentation
|
Acknowledgements
|
Publishing policy
Accessibility: non-compliant
|
Legal mentions
|
Privacy statement
|
Terms of use
  1. Home > Articles & Issues >
  2. Articles >
  3. A reproducible workf ...
Article

A reproducible workflow for the creation of digital twins in the cultural heritage domain

Sebastian Barzaghi ORCID (1), Alice Bordignon ORCID (1), Federica Collina ORCID (1), Francesca Fabbri ORCID (1), Bruno Fanini ORCID (2), Daniele Ferdani ORCID (2), Bianca Gualandi ORCID (1), Ivan Heibi ORCID (1), Nicola Mariniello ORCID (3), Arcangelo Massari ORCID (1), Marcello Massidda ORCID (2), Arianna Moretti ORCID (1), Silvio Peroni ORCID (1), Sofia Pescarin ORCID (2), Maria Felicia Rega ORCID (2), Giulia Renda ORCID (1), Mattia Sullini ORCID (1)
(1) University of Bologna
(2) Italian National Research Council
(3) Engineering
Download article
Open on Zenodo
Submitted on
November 15, 2024
Accepted on
May 2, 2025
Published on
July 24, 2025
Last modified on
August 28, 2025
Volume 1
Workflows
Image-based workflows
DOI
10.46298/transformations.14773
License
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Indicators
1617
Views
520
Downloads

A reproducible workflow for the creation of digital twins in the cultural heritage domain

Sebastian Barzaghi ORCID (1), Alice Bordignon ORCID (1), Federica Collina ORCID (1), Francesca Fabbri ORCID (1), Bruno Fanini ORCID (2), Daniele Ferdani ORCID (2), Bianca Gualandi ORCID (1), Ivan Heibi ORCID (1), Nicola Mariniello ORCID (3), Arcangelo Massari ORCID (1), Marcello Massidda ORCID (2), Arianna Moretti ORCID (1), Silvio Peroni ORCID (1), Sofia Pescarin ORCID (2), Maria Felicia Rega ORCID (2), Giulia Renda ORCID (1), Mattia Sullini ORCID (1)
(1) University of Bologna
(2) Italian National Research Council
(3) Engineering
Abstract
This article explores how to create reproducible workflows for the 3D acquisition and digitisation of cultural heritage objects to ensure sustainability and reusability across various institutions. In addressing two main research questions, the paper proposes a workflow that involves the systematic acquisition, processing and digitisation of cultural heritage artefacts. In particular, the workflow focuses on developing digital twins for cultural heritage settings and exhibitions and proposes baseline standards for both technical and interpretative aspects of digitisation. The workflow has been derived from and tested on the pilot case of the temporary exhibition The Other Renaissance: Ulisse Aldrovandi and the Wonders of the World, in the context of the CHANGES project. The article reflects on software and hardware equipment to select, the procedures and techniques to use and the formats to adopt to comply with openness, accessibility, transparency, reproducibility, reusability and sustainability in the research workflow, building on previous works on fostering reproducibility in research and improving the interoperability of 3D data across different systems. It highlights the need for transparent documentation of every step of the process, focusing on accountability and practices in the context of cultural heritage research. Finally, the article suggests improvements for enhancing the sustainability of these kinds of workflows and discusses future directions for digitisation efforts and sharing practices.
Keywords
  • digital twin
  • reproducibility
  • 3D models
  • digitisation
Preview
Loading PDF preview...