DISC3D
Darmstadt Insect Scanner 3D


DISC3D is a new device that allows automated multi-view imaging with extended depth of field (EDOF). It was developed in a cooperation with Bernhard Ströbel (Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, Optical Technology and Image Processing).
Find the OA-publication (ZooKeys) here for free download of the PDF with interactive 3D-content and supplementary material.
Find also numerous 3D-exapmles at Sketchfab.
We want DISC3D to be available to the community. If you want to participate in further developments, please contact me (Michael Heethoff) - we're establishing a collaborating network.
Please note that DISC3D is not for sale right now.
Contact: (heethoff [at] bio.tu-darmstadt.de)

DISC3D publication:
Ströbel, B., Schmelzle, S., Blüthgen, N., Heethoff, M. (2018). An automated device for the digitization and 3D modeling of insects, combining extended-depth-of-field and all-side multi-view imaging. ZooKeys 759: 1-25. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.759.24584
Find the OA-publication (ZooKeys) here for free download of the PDF with interactive 3D-content and supplementary material.
How it works...

Specimen mounting and orientation
The mounting is adjusted to the center of rotation of a two-axis motorized gimbal and allows a free view on the specimen from virtually all sides. During an insect scan, the specimen undergoes a preassigned ‘pose program’ with an approximately constant angular distance between neighboring poses.

Illumination
Many insect surfaces are glossy and show bright reflections (‘hotspots’) when illuminated directly by a point-shaped light source as an LED. For that reason, we use a hemispherical illumination dome with a dimmable white LED stripe attached to its inner circumference.

Optics and Focus Stacking
A video stream of images is captured under front light as the macro rail moves the camera forward. After that, another video stream is taken under back-light resulting in back-light image used for masking. The image sequences are used for EDOF-calculations.

Image Acquisition and Processing
The complete process of image acquisition and processing is controlled by a PC under MATLAB. Camera configuration and start, as well as the readout of the images are accomplished via the USB3 Vision interface standard.

3D modelling
After the end of the scan, the masked EDOF images of all poses are transferred to the SfM software Agisoft PhotoScan Pro to generate 3D surface models.
Media coverage
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SRF Wissenschaftsmagazin (Schweiz, 01.12.208): "Vermessene Insekten" (Starts at 19:38)
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Bild der Wissenschaft (2018, 11: 78-82): "Sechs Beine in drei Dimensionen"
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Rathaus Michelstadt (Odenwaldakademie), 25.10.2018: "Per Anhalter durch die dritte Dimension"
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Die Welt (17.07.2018): "Bald gibt es maßstabsgetreue Käfer aus dem 3-D-Drucker"
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Report in campus_d (2018, 21, 1-3): "Posen für die Nachwelt"
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New Atlas: Insect-specific 3D scanner could replace fragile displays
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Visit us at "hellwach 2018": "Das Leben im Mikrokosmos in 3D"
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Talk at HLMD (2018-06-20): "Per Anhalter durch die dritte Dimension - Eine Reise in den Mikrokosmos"