European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 22 - Number 3
Eur J Anat, 22 (3): 227-233 (2018)

Virtual 3D registration of anatomic wax sculptures

Nicolás D. Niquet1, Xavier Mas-Barberà1, Teresa Vázquez2

1Instituto de Restauración del Patrimonio, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain, 2Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

ABSTRACT This study presents the symbiosis between science and art through the analysis of anatomy and the wax-modelling technique. For this purpose, an eighteenth-century anatomical wax model showing the gestation process was selected. This model belongs to the collection of the Javier Puerta Museum of Anatomy (Complutense University of Madrid, Spain). The work has attempted to analyze, interpret and disseminate the process of producing the anatomical wax model using the latest 3D registration technologies. The methodology was established in two phases: a first phase of data collection using a GO! SCAN50 laser scanner from CREAFORM and VXelements software, and a second phase of post-processing of the collected data. The result was a very high resolution 3D virtual model that allowed the analysis and interpretation without the need to manipulate the original. The animated 3D model is viewable at 360º via interactive virtual platforms and under multiple angles and textures. This has made it possible to locate signs and proofs about the process of making the anatomical model, confirming the hypothesis that it seems to have been carried out by the artists during the elaboration of the piece. In short, 3D recording has proved to be a non-destructive and very graphical analysis method, allowing data collection, real-time monitoring and visualization without any manipulations.

Keywords: 3D registration â?? Javier Puerta Anatomy Museum â?? Anatomical wax sculptures â?? Interactive models

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)