From Fossils to Pixels: Phase One Cameras Bring Dinosaurs to Life

The Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (Natural history museum) has a broad collection of precious and infinitely diverse natural objects, some of which are quite challenging when it comes to efficient, accurate and repeatable 3D digitization. Dinosaur-Skulls were eroded by time and turned black, a color which can be difficult to capture. Reflective and translucent surfaces are, to this day, challenging to digitize. Some species have complex, detailed geometry with lots of occlusions. This is typically impossible to capture with manual scanning approaches.??

Their previous attempts to digitize some complex objects with hand-held 3D scanners lead to inconsistent results with inadequate quality. The challenges lie in the unique material properties and complex geometry of the artifacts. The advantages of digitizing the collection range from conservation to research, while also having the opportunity of a digital exhibition that visitors from all over the world can experience virtually.??

Taking all the challenges into account, Frauenhofer IGD offered a workshop where the customer was able to experience the advantages of the latest 3D scanning technologies. The aim of this workshop was to explore the capabilities of the turnkey CultArm3D solution and to find out how 3D imaging technologies can provide new ways of accessing and understanding species from the various MfN collections.??

In late 2022, The core CultArm3D team established Verus Digital GmbH - CultArm3D as a new company, continuing its collaboration with Phase One and Fraunhofer IGD.??

Read how Phase One cameras can help capturing the virtual museum experience here >>>