Digitization and Preservation of Natural Heritage Supported by Digital Fabrication Technologies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15359/ru.39-1.1Keywords:
photogrammetry, 3D modeling, natural heritage, 3D scanning, osteotechnicsAbstract
[Objective] This study aimed to implement 3D image acquisition and postprocessing tools for the natural heritage preservation of a collection of craniums from a zoology museum and a wildlife rescue center. [Methodology] Samples were prepared following osteotechnics protocols developed at the rescue center. They were then digitized in a darkroom using a metrology-grade 3D scanner. Meshes were optimized for both fabrication and visualization purposes. Subsequently, some of the models were printed at a university makerspace using three different technologies to be measured and analyzed with the metrology capabilities of inspection software; the purpose was to determine which technology provided the most accurate replicas.[Results] The results demonstrated that the three technologies produced high-quality replicas. However, those based on optical processes (SLA and material jetting) generated more accurate physical models, which are of particular interest for scientific fields, such as zooarchaeology, paleontology, biology, and veterinary medicine. These fields could benefit from training and learning experiences supported by these digital asset collections. The models were successfully adapted to be uploaded to a 3D viewer platform, which is compatible with low-cost virtual reality solutions, to implement them in environmental education activities. [Conclusions] The experience demonstrates that photogrammetry and 3D scanning are feasible solutions to preserve high-value samples of scientific and historical interest composed of biological materials exposed to degradation by environmental conditions. It also provides new digital assets to foster outreach and educational activities for universities, museums, and rescue centers.
References
Altwal, J., Wilson, C. H., & Griffon, D. J. (2021). Applications of 3‐dimensional printing in small‐animal surgery: A review of current practices. Veterinary Surgery, 51(1), 34-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13739
Ardoin, N. M., Bowers, A. W., & Gaillard, E. (2020). Environmental education outcomes for conservation: A systematic review. Biological Conservation, 241, 108224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108224
Barreau, J., Gagnier, A., Gaugne, R., Marchand, G., Gómez, J. M., Gouranton, V., & Crubézy, E. (2022). Use of Different Digitization Methods for the Analysis of Cut Marks on the Oldest Bone Found in Brittany (France). Applied Sciences, 12(3), 1381. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031381
Carr, A., Nestler, J. H., Vliet, K. A., Brochu, C. A., Murray, C. J. L., & Shirley, M. H. (2021). Use of continuous cranial shape variation in the identification of divergent crocodile species of the genus Mecistops. Journal of Morphology, 282(8), 1219-1232. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.21365
Caruso, V., Cummaudo, M., Maderna, E., Cappella, A., Caudullo, G., Scarpulla, V., & Cattaneo, C. (2018). A comparative analysis of microscopic alterations in modern and ancient undecalcified and decalcified dry bones. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 165(2), 363-369. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23348
Chan, H. H. L., Siewerdsen, J. H., Vescan, A., Daly, M. J., Prisman, E., & Irish, J. C. (2015). 3D Rapid Prototyping for Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery: Applications in Image-Guidance, Surgical Simulation and Patient-Specific Modeling, PLOS ONE, 10(9). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0136370
Chen, S., Pan, Z., Wu, Y., Gu, Z., Li, M., Liang, Z., Zhu, H., Yao, Y., Shui, W., Shen, Z., Zhao, Jun., & Pan, H. (2017). The role of three-dimensional printed models of skull in anatomy education: a randomized controlled trail. Sci Rep, 7, 575. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-00647-1
Cunningham, J. A. (2021). The use of photogrammetric fossil models in palaeontology education. Evolution: Education and Outreach, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12052-020-00140-w
Da Silveira, E. E., Da Silva Lisboa Neto, A. F., Pereira, H. C. S., Ferreira, J. S., dos Santos, A. C., Siviero, F., da Fonseca, R., & Chaves de Assis Neto, A. (2021). Canine skull digitalization and three-dimensional printing as an educational tool for anatomical study. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 48(6), 649-655. https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme-2019-0132
Edelmers, E., Kazoka, D., Boločko, K., & Pilmane, M. (2022). Different Techniques of Creating Bone Digital 3D Models from Natural Specimens. Applied System Innovation, 5(4), 85. https://doi.org/10.3390/asi5040085
Eriksen, A. M. H, Nielsen, T. K., Matthiesen, H., Carøe, C., Hansen, L. H., Gregory, J. D., Turner-Walker, G., Collins, M. J., Gilbert, M. T. (2020). Bone biodeterioration—The effect of marine and terrestrial depositional environments on early diagenesis and bone bacterial community. PLoS ONE, 15(10), e0240512. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240512
Garashchenko, Y., Kogan, I., & Rucki, M. (2022). Comparative accuracy analysis of triangulated surface models of a fossil skull digitized with various optic devices. Metrology and Measurement Systems, 29, 37-51. https://doi.org/10.24425/mms.2022.138547
Guareschi, E., Magni, P., & Berry, H. (2023). Potential Issues in the Conservation of Bone and Teeth in Maritime Archaeology. Heritage, 6(2), 779-788. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6020042
Keaveney, S., Keogh, C., Gutiérrez, L., & Reynaud, E. (2016). Applications for advanced 3D imaging, modelling, and printing techniques for the biological sciences. In 22nd International Conference on Virtual System & Multimedia (VSMM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2016 (pp. 1-8), https://doi.org/10.1109/VSMM.2016.7863157
Kudryavtseva, E., Popov, V., Muller-Kamskii, G., Zakurinova, E., & Kovalev, V. (2020). Advantages of 3D Printing for Gynecology and Obstetrics: Brief Review of Applications, Technologies, and Prospects. In IEEE 10th International Conference Nanomaterials: Applications & Properties (NAP), Sumy, Ukraine, 2020 (pp. 02SAMA09-1-02SAMA09-5), https://doi.org/10.1109/NAP51477.2020.9309602
Luhmann, T., Robson, S., Kyle, S., & Boehm, J. (2013). Close-Range Photogrammetry and 3D Imaging. Walter de Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110302783
Martini, M., Aglianò, M., & Orsini, D. (2021). The educational value, both past and present, of an ancient scientific collection: the collection of anatomical preparations illustrating the various phases of bone development, from the second month of intrauterine life to adulthood. Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, 125(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.36253/ijae-12920
Reddy, A., Davuluri, S., & Boyina, D. (2020). 3D Printed Lattice Structures: A Brief Review, In IEEE 10th International Conference Nanomaterials: Applications & Properties (NAP), Sumy, Ukraine, 2020 (pp. 02SAMA10-1-02SAMA10-5), https://doi.org/10.1109/NAP51477.2020.9309680
Salvador, R., & Cunha, C. (2020). Natural history collections and the future legacy of ecological research. Oecologia, 192(3), 641-646. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-020-04620-0
Vladinovskis, V. (2020). Review of 3D Printing Technologies and Considerations on Their Use in Orthopedy, 2IEEE 61th International Scientific Conference on Power and Electrical Engineering of Riga Technical University (RTUCON), Riga, Latvia, 2020 (pp. 1-6), https://doi.org/10.1109/RTUCON51174.2020.9316483
Waltenberger, L., Rebay‐Salisbury, K., & Mitteroecker, P. (2021). Three‐dimensional surface scanning methods in osteology: A topographical and geometric morphometric comparison. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 174(4), 846-858. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24204
Ye, Z., Jiang, H., Bai, S., Wang, T., Du, Y., Hou, H., Zhang, Y., & Yi, S. (2023). Meta-analyzing the efficacy of 3D printed models in anatomy education. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1117555
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Shared by Journal and Authors (CC-BY-NC-ND)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1. Authors guarantee the journal the right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
2. Authors can set separate additional agreements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal (eg, place it in an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
3. The authors have declared to hold all permissions to use the resources they provided in the paper (images, tables, among others) and assume full responsibility for damages to third parties.
4. The opinions expressed in the paper are the exclusive responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the editors or the Universidad Nacional.
Uniciencia Journal and all its productions are under Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial-SinDerivadas 4.0 Unported.
There is neither fee for access nor Article Processing Charge (APC)
