Specimens
Surface digitization
Create shareable records for visible fossil geometry, casts, bones, and prepared material.
Abound 3D for Paleontology
3D scanning for paleontology
Abound helps paleontology teams digitize fossils, preserve field context, compare specimens across collections, and share research-ready 3D records without building a heavy capture pipeline.
Used across research, education, and media workflows
A lighter path to reusable specimen records
Sites
Field context
Capture excavation surfaces and in situ relationships before context changes.
Archives
Remote access
Keep browser-viewable models available for collaborators, students, and reviewers.
How it works
1
Plan the record
Decide whether the scan needs specimen geometry, field context, teaching access, publication reference, or export for analysis.
2
Capture surfaces and context
Use photo-based capture or LiDAR workflows to document the fossil, excavation surface, or surrounding spatial context.
3
Share and archive
Review the model in Abound, share a browser link with collaborators, and export files when the project needs downstream tools.
Use cases
Cross-collection specimen comparison
Digitize bones with enough detail to compare specimens side by side even when fossils are held in different museums across the world.
High-throughput morphology workflows
Expand morphological studies beyond small sample sizes by capturing more specimens with handheld scanners during collections visits and fieldwork.
Photogrammetry and LiDAR field mapping
Map field sites and in situ context in 3D using photogrammetry and LiDAR, while keeping GPS points for site indexing and reporting.
Surface plus CT-informed analysis
Pair fast surface scans with targeted CT or micro-CT studies so teams can reserve costly internal imaging for the most critical specimens.
Example scans
Public skeletal and specimen scans show how morphology and display context can be preserved for remote review and teaching.
Research workflow details
Specimen digitization
Build 3D records for prepared fossils, casts, comparative material, teaching collections, and fragile specimens that should be handled less often.
Morphology references
Give collaborators a consistent surface model for qualitative comparison, measurement planning, and character discussion before deeper analysis.
Field mapping
Use photo and LiDAR capture to document trenches, quarry blocks, trackways, and in situ relationships as excavation progresses.
Archive and access
Keep shareable 3D records organized by collection, locality, specimen group, or project so teams can revisit context later.
Outcomes
More specimens documented
Comparable surface records
Shareable 3D archives
Lower digitization barriers
Remote collaboration across institutions
Questions teams ask
How can 3D scanning help paleontology research?
Surface scans can preserve specimen shape, field context, and handling-sensitive details in a shareable 3D record for comparison, teaching, publication support, and collaboration.
Is surface scanning a replacement for CT or micro-CT?
No. Surface scanning is useful for visible geometry and context, while CT and micro-CT remain important for internal structure. Many teams can use surface scans for broader digitization and reserve CT time for targeted questions.
Can teams document field sites as well as specimens?
Yes. Photo-based capture and LiDAR workflows can help document excavation areas, track in situ relationships, and preserve field context before material is moved.
How do collaborators access paleontology scans?
Abound stores models in a cloud library, so teams can share browser-viewable records with collaborators before deciding whether to export files for analysis, archives, or presentation.
