PaleoView3D: FROM SPECIMEN TO ONLINE DIGITAL MODEL

Recent technological advancements in 3D data acquisition and the ability to digi-tize museum collections have revolutionized the way one can access and visualize paleontological specimens. Instruments like high-resolution CT scanners and 3D laser scanners have simplified the digitization process, paving the way for 3D online muse-ums. The goals of this study were two-fold. First, to automate, standardize, and docu-ment the laser scanning/modeling technique used to generate models for one such database, PaleoView3D. Second, using PaleoView3D as a test case, to illustrate the necessity for other websites to include detailed error studies, modeling protocols, and associated metadata to facilitate the comparative use of online morphological data. Automation and standardization were achieved by coating specimens with ammo-nium chloride, constructing a nine-specimen multiscan platform, and implementing an autosurfacing macro which combined reduced modeling time by 60%. An extensive error study was performed to test the accuracy of this technique using controls o