Quirinale 3D VR: Free Software Lets Users Explore Presidential Palace's Noble Floor

Quirinale 3D VR, a free software presented in Rome, allows users to explore eight rooms of the noble floor of Palazzo del Quirinale, the official residence of the Italian President. The project, developed by Geocart and DigitalLighthouse, digitized over 160 paintings and tapestries, more than 600 historical furniture pieces, and 36 chandeliers, using over 120,000 frames and 800 laser scans. Scientific curator Luca Curto noted the challenge of applying terrestrial surveying technologies to the complex palace context. The software offers an immersive tour with details invisible to the naked eye, including stuccoes and frescoes at heights of 21 meters. Compatible with any multimedia device, from PCs to Oculus Rift, the first eight rooms are available now, with more expected by the end of June. The palace has housed 30 Popes and the Savoy royal family before becoming the presidential seat.