3d Digitization of Complex Exhibition Items (Mounted Skeletons of Dinosaurs) and Generation of Virtual Replicas for Biomechanical Studies

Abstract

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> The work presented here is part of a broader study concerning the biomechanical analysis of the movement of dinosaurs, which will be done by the finite element method (FEM). For this aim, it will be necessary to count on virtual models of the walking system (that is to say, the foot, leg, etc.) and the substrate on which the dinosaur moved. Both kinds of models can be approximately inferred from fossil remains: bones for the former and ichnites (fossil footprints) for the latter. Obviously, there are important challenges in these models, let us see, for example, that a group of fossil bones (probably incomplete and deteriorate) is very far from a walking animal with not only the bones and the articulations but also with flesh, tendons, skin, claws and so on.</p><p> In any case, fossil bones are the only material we have to start modelling. Therefore, the first step will be their 3D digitization. As the expected use of the 3D models defines, the technical characteristics that these models need to comply with, the manuscript will reflect on the qualities that the models for biomechanical purposes need, paying attention to the completeness, geometric accuracy and resolution. Moreover, a practical case is presented with a comparison of a scanning technology (fringe projection) and close range photogrammetry in order to model a 2 meters tall leg of a specimen of Edmontosaurus.</p>

A 3d Repository of Dinosaur Teeth: The Generation of Open Resources for the Classification and Identification of Specimens

“…This scanner records the colour of the surfaces but not very accurately; however, the main purpose of the models is to serve as geometric reference, thus the moderate quality of the texture was not considered a critical shortcoming. The selection of the equipment and techniques for the threedimensional documentation was based on examples about similar works but it also considered previous experiences (Rodríguez Miranda et al, 2019). Looking at the references, mention must be made to many interesting examples of 3D geometric documentation of small and delicate archaeological objects and paleontological specimens, which make use of manifold approaches based on photogrammetric systems (e.g., Katsichti et al, 2019) or different types of scanners (time of flight, structured light, computed tomography…) (e.g., Miłosz et al, 2022).…”