3D scanning dire wolves, ground sloths, and mammoths in California with Artec Space Spider

The Museum at La Brea Tar Pits uses the high-resolution color 3D scanner Artec Space Spider to create extremely realistic digital 3D models of bones and other fossils dating back to the Ice Age. They came to Rapid Scan 3D to find the right solution to capture amazing detail as well as the ability to capture color. Preserving these ancient treasures for researchers and future generations, the Museum has digitally captured bones from such creatures as sabre-toothed cats, American camels, buffalo, antelope, American lions, the above-listed species, and many others. In mere minutes, bones are digitally recorded in precise 3D, with all their surface characteristics perfectly captured up to submillimeter levels. Future possibilities for this ever-growing digital archive of ancient Pleistocene discoveries include an AR (augmented reality) exhibit that will boost public awareness and interest in La Brea Tar Pits' paleontological resources.