[Nhcoll-l] 3D prints in zoological reference collections

[Zhuang, Mingna]

Hi Melanie,

You can add specimen IDs in probably any 3d modeling software (i.e. Meshmixer, Blender etc.) Here's an example with Meshmixer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXt6grv2AeY. Microsoft's 3D Builder also has an in-built embossing option for models, I think. That might be easiest.

On Arctos, we generally do several parts tied to one record (i.e. stomach contents, skeletons in one place and skins in another) and can either use our barcoding system to record location (which can be anywhere in the world/rooms, separate buildings) or put in the part remarks where the part is located. We also have a relationships feature to tie records within/between institutions, say if you decide you want to spread the 3D prints around like how the paleo folks might share casts around or duplicates for plants. (Here's a relationships example between MVZ and MSB: https://arctos.database.museum/guid/MVZ:Bird:134762).

In the case of recording a 3D print, we'd probably call the part name "model" and record the fact it is a 3D print as a preservation method or part remarks. Here' s an example from CHAS: https://arctos.database.museum/guid/CHAS:Teach:E2020C.7

Cheers,


Vicky (Mingna) Zhuang PhD.
Biodiversity Collections Manager
UTEP Biodiversity Collections
B209 Biology Building
University of Texas at El Paso
500 W University Avenue
El Paso, TX 79968
phone: 915-747-5479
email: mzhuang at utep.edu<mailto:mzhuang at utep.edu>
website: https://www.utep.edu/biodiversity/
facebook<https://www.facebook.com/utepbc>, twitter<https://twitter.com/utepbc>, Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/utepbc/>: @utepbc
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From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of LeCompte,Elise V <lecompte at flmnh.ufl.edu>
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2025 8:09 AM
To: Lex, Melanie <lex at snsb.de>; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] 3D prints in zoological reference collections


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Hi Melanie,



We have a digital imaging division here at the Florida Museum of Natural History. You may wish to contact Zach Randall, who helps head up that division, zrandall at flmnh.ufl.edu<mailto:zrandall at flmnh.ufl.edu>.



Elise

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­______________________________________________

Elise V. LeCompte

Registrar and Coord. for Museum Health & Safety

Florida Museum of Natural History

1659 Museum Road

Gainesville, FL 32611-7800

TEL: 352-273-1925

www.flmnh.ufl.edu



From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Lex, Melanie
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2025 7:56 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] 3D prints in zoological reference collections



[External Email]

Dear all,



we recently started experimenting with 3D prints of animal bones to duplicate specimens of our zoological reference collection. The aim is to have copies of isolated bones available at different locations. That means that we'll have the original skeleton stored in our main collection and one or various 3d printed copies of single bones in another building, city or even country.

I would like to know how other collections handle this kind of situation in terms of labelling, registration in the database, etc. How do you mark them as 3D printed in the database (whichever database you might use)? Do you give a completely new ID or one modified from the original skeleton's? Is there any way to add the specimen ID before printing (think, embossed on the 3D printed bone)?

I'm very grateful for any advice. Thanks a lot in advance!



Best,

Melanie



--

Melanie Lex

Sammlungsmanagerin



[1739347159996]



SNSB – Staatssammlung für Paläoanatomie München

Gruber Str. 64-68, 85586 Poing



Tel.: +49 (0)8121 7089 - 32



E-Mail: lex at snsb.de<mailto:lex at snsb.de>

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