archiemcphee: Today’s lesson in Art + Science = Awesome enables…

Today’s lesson in Art + Science = Awesome enables us to hold in our hands an animal that existed over 440 million years ago: the trilobite. Dr. Allan Drummond, Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, is fascinated by these extinct arthropods. Among the most successful of all early animals, over 17,000 known species roamed the oceans for over 270 million years. They’re the most diverse group of animals preserved in the fossil record.

“We find their shells fossilized everywhere,” explains Drummond. “They’re museum staples – but we rarely see what they really looked like, with all of their soft tissues (legs, antennae, gills) intact.”

So Dr. Drummond decided to use 3D printing technology to recreate a trilobite as it would’ve appeared as a living creature. First he had to research as many different trilobites as possible in order to figure out which species was the best candidate for 3D printing. Eventually he determined that a trilobite from the genus Ceraurus had the best shape for his 3D printing goals.

“Ceraurus is ideal,” he says. “They have long yet substantial genal [head segement] and pygidial [tail segment] spines, complex thoracic armor, gorgeous curves, unmistakable trilobite form. Enough detail to warrant 3D printing, enough structural solidity to survive it.”

Having chosen the right trilobite the next steps concerned rendering it for 3D printing. Drummon started by drawing it by hand in pencil and then using Inkscape. Then 3D modeling guides were created using Blender. The final result is beautiful and incredibly lifelike.

“I’m very happy with how it turned out,” says Drummond. “When you hold [the model] in your hand, it practically squirms. You can imagine her exploring her world, questing with her antennae, seeking prey and potential mates.”

Head over to Nerdist to learn more about the painstaking process used to create this awesome model and view additional photos.

[via Nerdist]