Above: an early version of Hardshell Labs’ Techno-Tort™, a 3D printed lure for raven predation research
The nifty little virtual spinner below was created with Autodesk’s clever digitization and workflow tool beta, Memento, and shows Hardshell Labs’ 3D-printed, faux tortoise shell lure, christened the Techno-Tort™. For use in predation research on the ravens which have decimated Desert tortoise populations in the southwestern U.S., these can be printed in whatever size we like, but the current two versions we’re using are just three or four inches in length. This is one size range of tortoise juveniles who are prone to attack by ravens until the tortoises are between seven and 10 years old.
Tatjana Dzambazova of 3D design, engineering & entertainment software megalith Autodesk is making them for us, on the only 4-color 3D printer on the planet. I met the very dynamic and cheery Tatjana last week. Tim and Hardshell biologist William I. Boarman had given her the for-real, from-life juvenile tortoise shells which Autodesk digitized to create this. Tatjana’s impressive bio will soon be added into the Hardshell team on this website, and we thank her for her enthusiastic, expert help!
Take your mouse and move around over this image below and see the practical fun Tatjana has produced for us 🙂
Would it be possible for you to send the tortoise shell model in a .obj or .wrl file format? Would like to try printing it on our Mcor IRIS full color 3D printer.
Thanks, Kevin, for the inquiry. Please also send us (me) a note via Hardshell’s Team/Contact page with your e-mail address and organization’s information? Danke schoen 🙂 Hardshell won’t be releasing the file(s) at this time.
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