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Digital Collections Goes to the Next Dimension
Aspects of Digitization: 3D Scanning
06/06/22
By: C. B.
A big smile from an alligator always greets those who visit the Florida Section at Main Library.
This enigmatic sculpture is one of the most iconic and intriguing pieces of art in the library. For years, it has had to wait patiently for passing patrons to admire it. That reality has now changed!
With the help of a new 3D scanning tool available to the Digital Collections Division, the friendly gator can be viewed in all of its metallic glory by anyone worldwide. The sculpture is now part of a Digital Collections 3D Archive that will soon be offering a wealth of 3D content for free to the public.
The 3D reader resembles a super-size barcode scanner from the supermarket that fits into the hand like a giant stapler. It emits a series of lasers and strobing lights that scour the item, generating a 3D version on the computer that can rotate to different vantage points.
Our scanner's portability and ease of use allow us to digitize objects of all shapes and sizes. In the future, this will make it possible for us to venture outside the library to scan material from many exciting locations.
After some editing in our 3D modeling software, we can have accurate recreations of our scanned items.
From our Digital Collections 3D Archives, you may download 3D models of any objects we have posted. Feel free to request a downloadable file (STL format) from us that can be reproduced on a 3D printer or viewed on a virtual reality headset!
Please visit this page frequently to view newly added digitized materials from our collections.