8:00 am–12:00 pm PDT/ 11:00 am–3:00 pm EDT

This 4-hr workshop will introduce participants to free CT dataset and 3D model [databases] and the tools necessary to use this data. Users will learn about two free and open-source software. 3D Slicer is used to create 3D models from CT Data, a process called segmentation. Blender is a versatile open-source software that can be used to manipulate, texture, light and render those 3D models. By the end of the workshop users should be able to find, download, and open CT datasets as well as orient, light, and render a 3D model to create useful reference images.

Computers running 3D Slicer need enough memory and graphics capabilities to hold both the original data and the processing results in their memory.

Memory: more than 4GB (8 or more is recommended).

Display: a minimum resolution of 1024 by 768 (1280 by 1024 or better is recommended).

Dedicated graphics hardware and memory (1GB is recommended).

Many computations in Slicer are multi-threaded and will benefit from multi-core, multi-CPU configurations.

Interface device: a three-button mouse with a scroll wheel is recommended.

Internet connection to access online documentation of modules and tutorials

The University of Chicago | LaurenConroyArt.com | @spellbinderceramics

Lauren Conroy is the Research Manager and Scientific Illustrator for the University of Chicago’s Sereno Fossil Lab. She utilizes scans from the microCT and hospital CT scanners to create 3D models to aid in the digital reconstruction of dinosaur skeletons such as Spinosaurus. She often uses rendered 3D elements in figures for scientific publications. She also spends her free time drawing animal skeletons on her ceramic art.

The University of Chicago | AprilNeander.com | @aineander

April Neander is a Scientific Illustrator and Micro-CT Research Specialist at the University of Chicago’s Luo Lab and PaleoCT Lab. She specializes in mammal paleontology, micro-CT scanning, segmenting CT data, 3D modeling, and digital illustration. She frequently uses CT data in the illustration process, either as reference or by more directly using rendered 3D elements. April has been awarded the Lanzendorf paleoart prize twice, once for Digital Modeling and Animation, and once for Scientific Illustration. You can see her illustration work in multiple Science and Nature papers, and in the recently published book Beasts Before Us by author Dr. Elsa Panciroli.

Utilizing CT Data for Illustration Reference