3D Imaging
Contents
Statement of Purpose
Understanding of (and standards for) 3D, or three-dimensional, imaging as a digitization process for natural history collections.
Introduction
"3D imaging" refers to a wide range of techniques for the visualization and characterization of specimens in three dimensions. These techniques can be separated into two groups: those which result in aligned stacks (or "volumes") of 2D images, and those which result in a surface models. Volumes contain information throughout the interior of a specimen, while surface models usually characterize only the outer shape and possibly appearance of a specimen. Surface models can be calculated from volumes, or created directly, but volumes can not be made from surface models. Concerns specific to museum applications of the most common 3D imaging techniques are explored in greater detail under Modalities, below.
