3D imaging services

Pictured above: a cuneiform is scanned in our labs using the DAVID structured light scanner.

3D imaging at Stanford Libraries

The Digital Library Systems and Services department offers 3D imaging services as part of the Digital Production Group's operation. Aside from being an emerging technology in libraries, 3D is also increasingly used in teaching and learning, both as a methodology in certain fields and as a way to replicate and use rare or fragile objects in classroom settings.

Our service includes 3D imaging of materials, either in our lab located in Green Library or in the classroom with our mobile set-up, and post-processing and delivery of files specified by the project’s stakeholder. We can accession 3D models into the Stanford Digital Repository for preservation and make them discoverable in SearchWorks. Support for 3d model display in the online content viewer is in planning.

Equipment and software used

The 3D lab has a growing suite of 3D scanning tools. Currently we use the Go!SCAN Spark in production. We post-process models using the Go!SCAN software, and then use Agisoft Metashape to produce models at reduced resolutions for delivery. Depending on stakeholder needs, we may use Meshmixer to clean up models for 3D printing.

Interested in utilizing our 3D imaging services? Please contact us, and we will explore your project with you.