From Surveying Techniques to a 3D GIS Geodatabase

Topographic surveys of buildings are usually performed with a variety of instruments and techniques. Then, dedicated software packages provide 3D metric models that can be enriched with a series of descriptive information. The user can choose between three different options: Building Information Modelling (BIM), Historical Building Information Modelling (HBIM) and 3D GIS Geodatabases. Particularly regarding cultural heritage buildings, information is extremely heterogeneous. Geographic Information System (GIS) software packages facilitate the creation of georeferenced 3D environments and geodatabases. This allows linking all the information to the referenced metric building; it is useful for its maintenance, restoration and management. The surrounding environment, to which it is closely connected, plays an important role. This paper describes how we built a GIS geodatabase of two 3D-modelled apses of a small church in the province of Bergamo. All the available information was gathered and linked in a 3D GIS scene.