Researcher Jinlian Munir works in a museum in Paris. We talked with him and discussed about 3D modeling and3D printingmachineusage of.As a paleoanthropologist, he shared with us his use of 3D modeling in ancient human research, and3D printingAll the conveniences provided to him in his daily work! The following is an interview with him that we brought to you.
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Can you introduce yourself to everyone?
My name is Jinlian Munir. I am a CNRS researcher and I work in a museum in Paris. As a paleoanthropologist, he is mainly engaged in research on human evolution. More specifically, I am studying the last part of our family: the history of the human genus, which began 2 million years ago. What we call the Homo genus includes several extinct species (for example, Homo, Homo erectus, Erika, Heidelberg, and Neanderthal) as well as our Homo sapiens. All these extinct species are actually closer to us than other species such as Australopithecus.
In which situation do you use3D printingTechnology?
Traditionally, paleoanthropologists are studying anatomy, and skeletal morphology, as bones, is the main tissue preserved in the fossil record. We compare these fossils with actual humans or chimpanzees. In the past few decades, the development of new technologies has helped us use analytical methods to quantify the morphology of these specimens.The analysis method takes into account the three-dimensional shape, this is what I use now3D scanningTo deal with the reasons for the 3D model.
Regarding the creation of 3D models, why use photogrammetry?
There are several options to obtain 3D models. It is feasible to reconstruct the volume of three-dimensional objects using tomography or three-dimensional scanning of photos. The advantage of photogrammetry lies in its price: it is a low-cost technique. A good camera is sufficient to collect data, and it is not expensive to recreate objects from pictures with software. Furthermore, it is easy to transport. In addition to being used in the museum, it can also be taken to distant places. For example, when I was doing archeological excavations in northern Kenya, it was an arid area that was difficult to access, and there was no infrastructure (road or electricity…) on site. Photogrammetry can create a high-quality 3D model, including the shape of the bones. And texture, because the model is created from high-quality pictures.
What 3D software are you using?
For photogrammetry, I use Agisoft’s Metashape, this software can create 3D models from pictures. In order to process these 3D models before analyzing them, I used an open source software meshlab. Three-dimensional models obtained from photogrammetry, three-dimensional surface scanning or computed tomography often have some defects. Then, for analysis and modeling, I used R software.
3D printingHow is technology presented in your work, and how does it help you complete your project?
3D printingTechnology is very important in my work. Firstly,3D printingAllow me to carry fossils with me. In fact, it is impossible for us to bring back fossils from Kenya for research purposes, but the 3D model allows me to bring them back. Then, most of the analysis I do now is done with three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. This technique allows only the shape of the sample to be processed, avoiding the influence of size on the shape.
For example, for two samples from the same group, there may be some differences in morphology, and these differences may only be caused by differences in size: if a sample is really tall, then the morphology must be different. Using geometry measurement is a method that focuses only on shape. I use 3D modeling to estimate the hypothetical shape of the ancestors. These 3D models are a way to generate possible ancestors and create virtual fossils. Then they can be compared with actual fossils.
Why did you start using3D printing?
3D printingTechnology is of great significance to the study of fossils from abroad.In fact, we can bring the fossils back and use3D printingCome out and get a new physical version.Recently, we worked with the sculptor3D printingA fossil from Kenya.I am also studying fossils for 3D modeling, which can also be done like real3D printingAnd research.
The phylogenetic representation of Homo in the morphological space: green, the first representative of the Homo genus, then the blue human Neanderthal, and finally Homo sapiens. These three-dimensional models represent the virtual ancestors of these three groups.
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You have used it in previous projects3D printingTechnology?
In 2016, in collaboration with Professor Marta Miraz Lahr from the University of Cambridge, I published a phylogenetic model to study the morphology of the common ancestor of modern humans and Neanderthals.Virtual fossils allow us to see his form intuitively, but these3D printingThe project can be used to do some popular science work, so that more people are interested in our research. I want to do more and print more fossils so that people can better understand what we do.
What do you use for your job3D printingmachine?
I used to use FDM technology to print with polylactic acid consumables, but now I use SLS technology.
Can you tell us more about your collaboration with Sculpteo?
The work of paleoanthropologists increasingly requires the passage of digital filters. But it should be noted that we are anatomists and our work is more morphological.3D printingTechnology has created virtual fossils for us, and we have created new parts that represent the possible forms of our species history. It allows us to bring the printed bones back for research during the analysis process.
Source: Creators 3D https://www.cxsw3d.com/
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