Application Of 3D Reconstruction To Paleontology

3D-reconstruction, based on both sciences and arts, has recently become a popular medium in expressing scientific ideals through advanced technology. For paleontological studies, 3D-reconstruction has not only led to vividly images of the fossils, but also described a wonderful world in detail about the life once lived on the Earth in the remote past for the public. Two crown-group crustacean Yicaris dianensis and Daliangia clypeata resently discovered from the Lower Cambrian Yu'anshan Formation at the Xiaotan section in Yongshan, Yunnan have been used for this study. Based on Yicaris dianensis we mainly introduce the basic process of 3D-reconstruction, including how to get valuable data from a fossil image, to work out the draft, to prepare the relevant model with external details, and finally to create an artistic and scientific animation. For Daliangia clypeata we simply focus on animation to show its essential manner of swimming without repeated description of 3D reconstruction that has been well applied to Yicaris dianensis. In comparison, almost all reconstructions seen from previous publications are 2-dimensional, while the 3D-reconstruction completed by following the method introduced here can easily be converted into 2D. Moreover, it could also be used for computer graphic animations and entertainment games, including some based on fossils. As a matter of fact, the technology of 3D-reconstruction is a powerful tool for paleontologists and worthy of trying in their studies.