Story by Roselyn Fauth
Modern 3D Scanning and Printing Technology Revives Prehistoric Artwork
Children playing at a local playground could be able to see and feel footprints of familiar birds. Using 3D scanning and printing technology, volunteers have recreated the footprints to add a playful, educational and historical element to the playground.
ABOVE: 4 year old Annabelle Fauth with her mother CPlay Volunteer Roselyn Fauth visited the Museum, Waitarakoa Washdyke Lagoon and Caroline Bay to learn about birds, their behavior and their footprints. They also saw some of the steps taken to create the moulds of birds feet, to stamp into the concrete for the new playground. Photo by Roselyn Fauth
The team imprinted the footprints of local birds such as, Kororā (Little Blue Penguin), Pūkeko (Australasian Swamphen), into modelling sand to create renders and a 3D printout. The footprints will add a touch of natural history and educational value to the playground, as well as create an interesting and unique design element.
The birds were gifted to us by CPlay Volunteer, and Rununga representative Francine Spencer. She had been gifted the birds to make Kahu Huruhuru (korowai) feather cloaks.
The birds feet were donated to the project, Jack Rushton created a 3D model from them. This was printed by father and son duo John Rushton (Architect and CPlay volunteer) and Jack Rushton. The resulting tools were then pressed into wet concrete by CPlay volunteer Roselyn Fauth.
"It was great to share the feet of these birds to help locals and visitors understand the history of our area and be informed about the views of mana whenua. In traditional Māori culture, birds played a significant role by providing food and feathers for adornment and cloaks. We watch how birds behave, to inspire metaphors, poetry and help predict the weather and the future." - Francine Spencer
The use of 3D scanning and printing technology to recreate ancient moa footprints is an innovative way to add historical and educational value to modern-day design. By incorporating the footprints into the local playground, children can have the opportunity to learn about prehistoric birds and the natural history of the area. The footprint project for CPlay is a testament to the possibilities of combining technology and creativity to add interest and value to public spaces.
"I look forward to visiting the playground with my kids and comparing our feet to the footprints of extinct, plentiful and endangered bird species' in the concrete paths. I hope that by inspiring them to take notice of local ecology, and appreciate the natural environment around them, our children may feel more connected to it and want to take care of it." - Roselyn Fauth CPlay volunteer
The process of re-creating footprints
Jack Rushton's task was to create 3D models of bird feet to make footprints in concrete. It involved a range of techniques and challenges. The process required bird feet, modelling sand, photography, software, and a 3D printer. The project aimed to add details like footprints to the concrete paths around a playground in New Zealand, providing a fun and educational tool.
"I got involved because I was invited by my dad, John Rushton (CPlay volunteer) to contribute to the project. I thought it would be an interesting task to work on due to my experience with 3D printing, and I liked the idea of adding details like footprints to the concrete paths around the playground."
One of the main challenges of the project was obtaining 3D models of the bird feet. Initially, Jack planned to download 3D models of the birds or their feet from the internet. However, finding 3D models of New Zealand native birds was difficult, and the available models lacked detail. 3D scanning of the mounted birds at the South Canterbury Museum was not feasible because the feet were mounted, making it impossible to scan the bottom of the feet.
To overcome this problem, he pushed the actual feet of birds into moulding sand to create a footprint. He then photographed from different angles and assembled them into 3D model using specialist 3D annimation software.
"Francine Spencer, offered the use of the bird feet, but upon getting them, I realized I couldn't scan the feet directly. Working with real bird feet was interesting but challenging. It was hard to get the toes of the birds into the right position, and if I could get them into the right position, they wouldn't stay like that for long, making the 3D scanning hard as the feet need to remain stationary throughout the process.The feet had to be cleaned, and some toes were stiff, requiring careful positioning to avoid damage. The penguin foot was particularly challenging due to its odor and visible signs of amputation." Jack said.
Above: The process of creating bird feet moulds to press into concrete. Photography supplied by Jack Rushton.
- Create a footprint by pushing foot into molding sand.
- Take 200+ photos of the footprint from different angles for photogrammetry.
- Use photogrammetry to generate a 3D model from the photos.
- Trim unnecessary parts from the 3D model in Blender.
- Smooth out rough spots and add a back to the model.
- Slice the 3D model and print it on a 3D printer.
The printing time depended on the size of the feet, usually took 1-3 hours for smaller feet and 3 days for a larger moa footprint.
"This was a fun project to be involved in, and I look forward to seeing how people could use to have fun, and as an educational tool at the playgrounds." Jack Rushton (son of CPlay volunteer John Rushton)
The 3D printing process used PLA (Polyactic Acid) plastic, which is derived from plant products rather than petroleum and is therefore considered more environmentally friendly. However, on an individual level, the 3D prints cannot be easily recycled or reused. PLA can be heated and melted into a pool, which can then harden and be cut into various objects, such as chopping boards or coasters. On a commercial level, PLA can be composted within 12 weeks or recycled to create PLA for a different use.
Above, testing the 3D print outs of the bird feet in the concrete pad for the ship. This is going to be covered in a retaining wall and pour and play rubber, so we could try different techniques to see which foot prints looked the best, and were the most practical. We found we needed a lubricant to help the print outs release from the concrete. We needed to wash them between each stamp. And the optimum time to press into the concrete was 4 hours after the pour on a broom finish rather than smooth. We used a hammer to gently tap and vibrate the mould, the plastic moa print was brittle, so we added some wood to give it strength. We also need to consider that they are not a tripping hazzard and impractical maintenance. So we tried a range of depths to balance practicality and most visually interesting.
The first concrete path was poured mid June 2023. We intend to place these prints in the section near the Tuna mound to make it look like naughty birds have walked over the wet concrete paths.
CPlay volunteer Chris Fauth with daughter Annabelle (4) pressing in the 3D printed bird feet by Jack Rushton
And just while we thought we had the process down to a t, a little black bird decided to walk through every single concrete pour. We decided to leave them.
Common Name / Maori Name - Scientific Name
Antarctic Skua / Hākoakoa - Catharacta antarctica lonnbergi
Australian Magpie / Makipai - Gymnorhina tibicen
Black Backed Gull / Karoro
Brown Booby - Sula leucogaster
Broadbilled Prion / Pararā - Pachyptila vittata
Bittern / Matuku Hūrepo - Botaurus poiciloptilus
Californian Quail / Tikaokao - Callipepla californica
Little blue penguin / Kororā - Eudyptula minor
Mute Swan / Wāna - Cygnus olor
North Island Brown Kiwi / Kiwi-nui / Apteryx mantelli
Sacred Kingfisher / Kōtare - Todiramphus sanctus
Salvin’s Mollymawk / Toroa - Thalassarche salvini
Spotted Shag / Parekareka / Kawau / tikitiki - Phalacrocorax punctatus
Shinning Cuckoo / Pīwīwharauroa - Chrysococcyx lucidus
Marsh Crake / Koitareke - Porzana pusilla affinis
Nanking Night Heron / Umu kōtuku - Nycticorax caledonicus
Pukeko/Swamp hen / Pukeko - Porphyrio melanotus
Rhode Island Red Rooster / Heihei - Gallus gallus domesticus
White Fronted Turn / Tara - Sterna striata