Investigate hosting of 3D files in the ALA

[timhicks-ala]

An ALA user recently asked about the possibility of us hosting 3D scans of museum specimens. This ticket is to facilitate investigating the technical implementation.

BACKGROUND

A physical object can be scanned in 3D and have its geometry stored and displayed digitally. This is done by using a 3D scanner to optically capture its physical dimensions, and saves that data as a file. That file can be stored like any other, displayed using a program with controls to rotate and zoom around the 3D model, and downloaded for reference or to be reproduced using a 3D printer. All of this technology exists and is very accessible today. It could be used to scan preserved museum specimens to be represented digitally in 3D on the ALA.

FILE FORMATS

The most commonly used file interchange format is STL - this is what's used in most 3D printing communities to share and distribute 3D models for printing. It can describe the physical geometry of one or more objects but does not include colour or texture information, or instructions for reproduction. It was created by a Californian company, 3D Systems, but there appears to be no commercial restrictions on use today. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STL_(file_format)

Another is 3MF, or "3D Manufacturing Format", which is an open source format created by the 3MF Consortium that can carry additional information such as colour and texture information, thumbnail image information for previews, and specific instructions for 3D printing an object. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_Manufacturing_Format

Other formats, both proprietary and open, do exist, but these are the most common ones used when distributing files for 3D printing. 3D files are generally distributed under one or another Creative Commons license, which would be broadly compatible with the ALA.

ALA IMPLEMENTATION

Hosting 3D files in the ALA might require:

• The image service being able to store and interpret STL or 3MF files, including showing a thumbnail preview or a full rotatable, zoomable, pannable 3D display
• Integration with biocache to link 3D files to specific records via catalogue number, and to display them meaningfully on an individual record's page and in the Record images tab in searches, and to filter searches for records with 3D models
• Integration with BIE to present the 3D model on individual species pages and in the Gallery tab
• Integration with the downloads system to make the files available for download along with citation information

SAMPLE FILE FOR IMPLEMENTATION

The STL file attached to this ticket is reproduced here with full permission of its original creator, who happens to be me. It can be used for any implementation testing.

chichen_itza.zip

[timhicks-ala]

We have had a related query from another user regarding the possibility of storing photogrammetry data (a series of photos taken from set points around a specimen, creating a pseudo-3D view): https://support.ehelp.edu.au/a/tickets/192541