-------- Original Message -------- Subject: RE: Fixing fossils in place for digitization Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:28:01 -0700 (PDT) From: Rich Strauss <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> References: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> We use a different approach for holding small, fragile bones. I've modified several entomological "microscope stages" (http://www.bioquip.com/html/view_catalog.asp?page=21) with wires attached to small alligator clips. I've filed the teeth on a few of the alligator clips, to prevent damage to the specimens, and covered the teeth of other clips with small pieces of plastic hose. The object is to permit the specimen to be "grabbed" by the clip without damaging the bone. The stage allows the specimens to be swiveled in three dimensions. We use the stages primarily for photography, but have also successfully used them to hold specimens for 3D digitizing. Rich Strauss At 05:32 AM 9/15/2008, you wrote:
-------- Original Message -------- Subject: RE: Fixing fossils in place for digitization Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:06:14 -0700 (PDT) From: Lindsay Eaves-Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: morphmet <[email protected]> Hello all, I'm looking for feedback concerning collecting 3D coordinate data from fragile fossils using a MicroScribe. Two major problems presented themselves to me on a recent research trip: 1. How to mark points without hurting the fossil? 2. How to fix the fossil in place without a) hurting the fossil or b) sacrificing stability so that the specimen wobbles when you use a stylus to collect the data (forget about using the autoplot/autoscan feature!). The first, as it turns out, can be accomplished by cutting small bits of Glad Press n' Seal and placing them on the fossil and marking on the wrap, not the fossil. I know this sounds really sketchy, but it's actually awesome! Credit: Don Ortner, Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C. The second issue, however, has been more intractable and this is where I'm asking for help. I work on human ribs, whose curvatures differ from 1-12 and so each rib sits differently on a surface and most don't lie flat. To digitize just one demi-set (on side) of ribs, I need to find 24 stable positions in order to do both the cranial and caudal surfaces. When working on modern ribs, I just use sticky-tack or the silicone blobs that people use for ear-plugs. Unfortunately, curators won't let me come within 10 feet of their fossil ribs if they think that gunk might touch their treasures. Standard fixes for propping stuff up for photography don't work, such as sand, bean-bags, legos, etc., because the pressure of the stylus causes the rib to wobble or recoil slightly, screwing up the measures. I know that a lot of you out there in Morphmet-land are digitizing fossils, so please, PLEASE HELP! I know I can't be the first to encounter these issues, and I'm frankly, not smart enough to reinvent the wheel, so to speak. Thanks in advance!!!! Lindsay Eaves-Johnson -- ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> `·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´ K. Lindsay Eaves-Johnson, MA PhD Candidate University of Iowa Department of Anthropology 114 Macbride Hall Iowa City, Iowa 52242 "I love fools' experiments. I am always making them." ~ Charles Darwin "If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?" ~ Albert Einstein -- Replies will be sent to the list. For more information visit http://www.morphometrics.org
============================================================= Dr. Richard E. Strauss (806) 742-2719 (voice) Professor, Biological Sciences (806) 742-2963 (fax) Texas Tech University [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lubbock, TX 79409-3131 <http://www.faculty.biol.ttu.edu/Strauss/Strauss.html> ============================================================= -- Replies will be sent to the list. For more information visit http://www.morphometrics.org
