CREATING NEW LINKS AMONG PLACES THROUGH VIRTUAL CULTURAL HERITAGE APPLICATIONS AND THEIR MULTIPLE RE-USE

Abstract

The valorisation of the Italian cultural hotspots to enhance the tourism industry has always been at the heart of the local policies. Advanced computer applications can crucially contribute to this aim. In such a conceptual framework, an apparently "endless" series of ICT applications, sharing 3D assets, sprang into life in Bologna thanks to an Open Source background. The sequence of projects, that are going to be presented in the article, was initiated by the creation of the stereoscopic 3D medium-length movie "Apa the Etruscan". As an immediate consequence, four other projects have started, re-using some of the 3D models from "Apa", and more are following. Our experience proves that a non possessive stance towards ones own products, speeds up and optimises time and costs, improving different end-products. The continuous transfer of models, adapted to new requirements, speeds up the productions, allowing to focus more on aesthetics, without damaging neither the source project nor the recipient, and reaching the widest audience possible. The multiplication of references can be seen even in the short term as much more fruitful than creating expensive projects closed in themselves. The rapidity of development and the increasing quality of the final product allows, hence, a distribution able to reach an increasingly wider audience, bringing the promotion of cultural heritage to a newer and higher awareness.