AI and AR based digital reconstruction of Liangshan Yi lacquerware

The lacquering technique of Yi lacquerware, a national intangible cultural heritage object (ICHO) of China, is distinguished by its unique forms, patterns, and colors, embodying profound religious beliefs and aesthetic connotations. Currently, this technique faces challenges including disrupted heritage transmission, insufficient scientific analysis of lacquer color composition, and limited methods of digital representation, underscoring the urgent need for preservation and promotion within the broader context of sustainable cultural development. This study, based on a field investigation of Liangshan Yi Lacquerware (LYL), presents a comprehensive analysis of its visual elements and employs instrumental techniques to identify the pigments used in its coloration. Representative lacquerware pieces were selected to produce two-dimensional (2D) images, which were then used for intelligent modeling on an artificial intelligence (AI) platform and integrated into an augmented reality (AR) platform to enable a mobile interactive experience. This approach serves as an initial validation of the workflow's adaptability and potential for broader application in digital reconstruction techniques, providing both theoretical support and a practical model for transforming traditional visual language into immersive visualization, while contributing to the long-term sustainable preservation of intangible cultural heritage.