Researchers at the University of Alberta have fine-tuned a process for creating accurate digital 3D reconstructions of human bones, offering students and researchers a cost-effective and accessible way to study anatomy and biomechanics.
The new process uses a technique called 3D photogrammetry, which involves photographing an object multiple times from various angles. The result is a lifelike digital representation of the object that can be manipulated virtually or 3D printed to create physical models.
"When the photograph was invented, it was this great thing because we could capture something at a moment in time. But it's in two-dimensional space, and we live in a three-dimensional world. Being able to capture an object in 3D space allows us to better preserve that information," says Loren Chiu, an associate professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation who led the research alongside graduate student Jasmine Feddema.
