To access our 3D models, please visit here. Our general policy is to make our 3D models open access for non-profit scientific, educational, and artistic use, including downloads. We have listed some models below - this site is under construction, and the full list of models can be found at the link above.
If you or your organization is interested in using our models for commercial use, please contact our Director, Duncan Irschick at duncan@umass.edu, who will then consult with the Tech Transfer officer at the University of Massachusetts. As we work with many partner organizations, we typically would only consider commercial use if the partner also agreed to this form of usage.
Model 47A - Loggerhead Sea Turtle
This is a 3D animation (“Shelly”) of a near-adult loggerhead (ID=982.000406129037) sea turtle (Caretta caretta, straight carapace length=86 cm) that was initially captured on June 23, 2017 by the Inwater Research Group, and then photgraphed with the Beastcam technology with 20 Canon G16 cameras. Photographer Christine Shepard operated the cameras and the sea turtle was released that same day in good condition. The 3D model was initially created through a photogrammetry scan using Capturing Reality. Animator Johnson Martin used Blender to reconstruct the full sea turtle from these scans, as well as animate the movements. Jeanette Wyneken from Florida Atlantic University, and Charles Mairne from the Loggerhead MarineLife Center each provided feedback on the movements.
Model 50A - Hawksbill Sea Turtle
This is an animation (“Mar”) of a hatchling Hawksbill (ID Ei1801) sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata, straight carapace length 11.8 cm) that was initially rescued by the Loggerhead MarineLife Center, and then photographed with the Beastcam technology with 30 Canon G16 cameras. The sea turtle was released soon after in good condition. The 3D model was initially created through a photogrammetry scan using Capturing Reality. Animator Johnson Martin used Blender to reconstruct the full sea turtle from these scans, as well as animate the movements. Jeanette Wyneken from Florida Atlantic University, and Charles Mairne from the Loggerhead MarineLife Center each provided feedback on the movements.
Model 56A - Southern White Rhino
This is a 3D model of Bakari, a Southern Right Rhino (Ceratotherium simum) from Perth Zoo, Western Australia, which was initially scanned using an array of 20 Canon G16 cameras. CG artist Jer Bot used the open source 3D animation software Blender (blender.org) to fully reconstruct the rhino. The mass of the Rhino is 2225 kg and its length is 2.1 meters. Reference photos were also used as a guide to create taxonomic features onto the 3D model using Blender’s sculpting tools.
Model 31A - Timber Rattlesnake
This is a 3D animation of a large adult Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) from New England Reptile Distributors (https://new-england-reptile.myshopify.com/). The raw photogrammetry scan was created using the Beastcam Technology, and the ventral side was added from a different snake. The full model was retopologized and rigged by animator Daniel Daye from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. The 3D model was created with the Beastcam technology.
Model 54A - Caribbean Reef Shark
This is a 3D model of a subadult Caribbean Reef Shark (Carcharhinus perezi) that was modeled after a shark swimming underwater with the OceanX and Cape Eleuthera Institute team in January 2019. Divers captured video of this shark swimming, and artist Robert Gutierrez used Blender and preexisting shark data to recreate this individual. As this model was recreated from photos and other data, we make no claim that it perfectly reflects an actual shark, but we have strived to be as anatomically correct as possible.
Model 73A - Great Hammerhead Shark
This is an animation of an adult female Great Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna mokarran) that was reconstructed from multiple cameras arranged around a dive in South Bimini, Bahamas in February 2020. Casey Sapp coordinated all videography. Kevin Davidson kindly contributed useful reference photos. CG artist Jer Bot used the software Blender to align these camera views to reconstruct the accurate shape and color of Nemesis (PIT tag 900236000107365), which had an estimated length of 329 cm based on laser photogrammetry. Nemesis commonly frequents dive spots near Bimini and is well-known to divers and scientists from the Bimini shark lab (www.biminisharklab.com). The ANGARI Foundation (www.angari.org) coordinated and supported this research, along with Sean Williams, Ken Morton, Jonathan and Jameson Bayuk, Annabelle Brooks, and Vital Heim.
Model 6 - Marine Toad on Leaf
This is a 3D model of a Marine Toad (Rhinella marina) captured in Labo Phillipines in May 2016. This 3D model was created with a single Mark III Canon camera and a 100 mm lens by walking around the subject. Funding from an NSF grant (1353743) to C. Siler, P. Bergmann, G. Wagner and D. J. Irschick supported construction of this model.
Model 9A - Blacktip Shark
This is a 3D animation of a Blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus, ID 730) captured in April 2016 in collaboration with the Discovery Channel and Dr. Neil Hammerschlag at the Universiy of Miami. The shark was captured, photographed with the Beastcam technology, and released unharmed. 3D artist Robert Gutierrez converted the raw photogrammetry scan to this low-poly model, as well as animated it.
Model 66A - Atlantic Sturgeon
This is an animation of an subadult Atlantic Sturgeon. This 3D model is a composite of images from a subadult Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus oxyrhynchus) housed at the Maymont Nature Center (https://maymont.org/animals/nature-center/), and a scan from a preserved Atlantic Sturgeon from the Natural History Collection at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (https://bcrc.bio.umass.edu/nhc/home).CG artists Jer Bot, Johnson Martin and Robert Gutierrez used Blender to reconstruct the full fish from these scans and images, as well as animate the movements. Thanks to the Maymont Nature Center, the Richard Lewis Media Group (http://rlmg.com/), and the Natural History Collection for facilitating the work.
Model 46A - Subadult Green Sea Turtle
This is a 3D animation (“Scallywag”) of a juvenile green sea turtle (ID=CM1648) (Chelonia mydas) that was captured on December 23, 2016 by the Loggerhead MarineLife Center at Blowing Rocks Preserve. The turtle was attacked by a shark, but survived. It was photographed with the Beastcam technology with 20 Canon G16 cameras by Christine Shepard. The 3D model was initially created through a photogrammetry scan using Capturing Reality. Animator Jer Bot used Blender to reconstruct the full sea turtle from these scans, as well as animate the movements. Jeanette Wyneken from Florida Atlantic University, and Charles Mairne from the Loggerhead MarineLife Center provided feedback on the movements.
Model 59A - Sling Tailed Agama
This is a 3D model of a Sling tailed Agama lizard (Stellagama stellio cypriaca) scanned using the Beastcam MACRO on a live lizard in Cyprus. The mass of the lizard is 78 grams. CG artist Jer Bot retopologized and reconstructed the snake in the open source 3D animation software Blender (blender.org). He did this through images captured using an array of six Canon G16 cameras and other reference photos. The construction of this model is part of the post-doc research of Dr. Savvas Zotos (POST-DOC/0916/0034)(https://retrack.terracypria.org) and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the Republic of Cyprus through the Research and Innovation Foundation. This 3D model will be used as a means for both studying and presenting the species movement and behavioural patterns.
Model 61A - Bottlenose Dolphin
This is a 3D model of a female Bottlenose dolphin (“Poli”) from Honduras (Tursiops truncatus) which was re-created from photographs and other information provided by the staff at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS) at Anthony’s Key Resort in Roatan, Honduras. Mass is 147 kg; Total length (TL) is 241 cm. CG artists Johnson Martin and Robert Gutierrez reconstructed this individual dolphin from photographs and other information using the open-access software Blender.
Model 40A - Walking Tokay Gecko, "Big Mama"
This is a 3D animation of a tokay gecko (Gekko gecko) that was originally captured by the Beastcam technology. Animator Johnson Martin converted the raw photogrammetry scan to this animated walk cycle.
Model 58A - House Gecko
This is an animation of a house gecko (Hemidactylus platyurus) photo-captured with the Beastcam MACRO live in the Irschick lab at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Mass is 4.6 grams. CGI artist Johnson Martin retopologized and reconstructed the gecko from images captured with the Canon G16 cameras. We partnered with Cameron Siler from the University of Oklahoma and Tony Gamble from Marquette University to create this model, which they will use for testing models of predation and gliding in geckos. Creation of this model was supported by NSF grant 1657662.
Model 60A - Cyprus Racer Snake
This is a 3D model of a racer snake (Dolichophis jugularis) scanned using the Beastcam MACRO on a live snake in Cyprus. The mass of the snake is 479 grams. CG artist Jer Bot retopologized and reconstructed the snake in the open source 3D animation software Blender (blender.org). He did this through images captured using an array of six Canon G16 cameras and other reference photos. The construction of this model is part of the post-doc research of Dr. Savvas Zotos (POST-DOC/0916/0034) (https://retrack.terracypria.org) and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the Republic of Cyprus through the Research and Innovation Foundation. This 3D model will be used as a means for both studying and presenting the species movement and behavioural patterns.
Model 39 - Golden Poison Frog
This remarkable golden poison frog (Phyllobates terribilis) lives on the ground in humid forests along the Pacific coast of Colombia. They breed by females laying eggs on the ground, in which males transport the larvae to permanent freshwater pools. They are mostly commonly found as mint green and yellow however they can occur as orange. This frog is well known for its densely toxin-coated skin. This animal was captured by the Beastcam MACRO from the collection of Michael Wallitis.
Model 52A - Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle (no ID)
This is a 3D model (“Tumbleweed”) of a juvenile Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle (ID 132) (Lepidochelys kempii) that was initially rescued by the New England Aquarium in Massachusetts, and then photographed with the Beastcam technology with 30 Canon G16 cameras. The sea turtle was released soon after in the Southern United States in good condition. The 3D model was initially created through a photogrammetry scan using Capturing Reality. We digitally scrubbed the ID tag on the shell. Animator Robert Gutierrez used Blender to reconstruct the full sea turtle from these scans, as well as animate the movements. Jeanette Wyneken from Florida Atlantic University, and Connie Merigo from the New England Aquarium each provided feedback on the movements.
Model 55A - Southern Right Whale
This is a 3D animation of a Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis, Panel C, Fig. 1) which was reconstructed using the open source software Blender 3D (blender.org). Measurements taken from drone videos of right whales (see Christensen et al. 2019) were used to create an ellipsoid that served as a basis for the model. The measurements for height and width of the whale were taken at increments of 5% of the total body length. Reference photos were also used as a guide to create taxonomic features onto the ellipsoid using Blender 3D sculpting tools (primarily the dynamic topology function). These features included the fluke, pectoral fins, eye, and mouth arrangements.
Model 32 - Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman
This is a 3D model of a Juvenile dwarf Caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) which was located at New England Reptile Distributors (NERD) (https://new-england-reptile.myshopify.com/). The model was created with the Beastcam technology.
Model 53A - Flatback Sea Turtle
This is a 3D model (“Mary”) of an adult (curved carapace length 940 mm) female flatback sea turtle (Natator depressus, PIT tag 900119000520197, captured 11/21/17, Thevenard Island, Western Australia) as part of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ North West Shelf Flatback Turtle Conservation Program (DBCA-NWSFTCP) with Scott Whiting (DBCA), Sabrina Fossette (DBCA) and Adrian Gleiss (Murdoch University). The turtle was photographed on a nesting beach using the Beastcam system and released in good condition. The 3D model was created through a photogrammetry scan using COLMAP and Autodesk REMAKE. Animator Jer Bot used Blender to reconstruct the sea turtle. Credit should be given to the Digital Life project and NWSFTCP: “The author(s) acknowledge the Digital Life project and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ North West Shelf Flatback Turtle Conservation Program for creation of the 3D flatback turtle model”.
Model 63A - Jumping Spider - Resting pose
This is a 3D model of a male of the jumping spider Habronattus pyrrithrix. CG artist Johnson Martin created this model in Blender using photos, video, and a CT-scan. Nate Morehouse from the University of Cincinnati and Beth Jakob, Skye Long and Daniel Daye from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst provided access to photos, videos, and specimens. Philip Steinhoff from the Uhl Lab at the University of Greifswald allowed us to use a CT-scan to recreate the body mesh. CG artist Jer Bot helped with creation of the 3D body mesh. Creation of this model was supported by an NSF grant to Nate Morehouse at the University of Cincinnati (NSF IOS-1734291).
Model 62A - Shortfin Mako
This is a 3D animation of a subadult Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus). This is a composite shark model that was reconstructed using a combination of photographs and video from Joe Romeiro, and also referenced against a 3D photogrammetry scan of a subadult Mako shark (provided by Joshua Moyer). We thank the Atlantic Shark Institute (Jon Dodd) and the Cape Eleuthera Institute (Nathan Robinson and Edd Brooks) for supporting and facilitating creation of the model. Nathan Robinson is now at Oceanogràfic. CG artist Robert Gutierrez reconstructed this shark from photographs and other information using the open-access software Blender. As this model was recreated from photos and other data, we make no claim that it perfectly reflects an actual shark, but we have strived to be as anatomically correct as possible.
Model 72B - Juvenile Green Sea Turtle
This is an animation of a juvenile (straight minimum carapace length = 27.5 cm, mass = 3.0 kg) green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) that was reconstructed from photos and measurements from a live individual. The turtle was collected by Inwater Research Group during an in-water assessment to gain valuable insights into the demographics of this threatened species. The turtle was in good health and released back into the wild. A CG artist (Johnson Martin) reconstructed the turtle using Blender software.
Model 99A - Whale Shark
This is an animation of subadult male Whale Shark (Individual TZ 209, “Mosi” Rhincodon typus) that was reconstructed from gopro footage based on dives with the shark nearby Mafia Island, Tanzania in November 2022. We thank Chris Rohner and Stephanie Venables for diving with us, and for providing footage and for generally supporting the work. CG artists Johnson Martin and Aaron Olsen used the software Blender to align various gopro camera views to reconstruc thte body shape of this individual. “Mosi” has been filmed previously along the Mafia coastline and is well known to divers there. The Marine Megafauna Foundation (https://marinemegafauna.org/) coordinated and supported this research, and Jon Bayuk kindly supported funded construction of the model and other costs.