Somewhere in an industrial maze near Bladensburg Maryland, there is a huge warehouse home to mad-scientist model makers who churn out 3D printed copies of human skulls, and eerie Abraham Lincoln ghost hands. I visited this place: a non-descript warehouse where Smithsonian Central employees design and create brilliantly crafted models and displays that give life to museum exhibits. They craft amazing things here using traditional sculpture and craft techniques; and also do some really amazing things with high-tech CNC milling machines and 3D printers (also called Rapid Prototype Machines.) They are currently using data from laser scanners and medical CAT scan machines to quickly make perfect copies of objects from the Smithsonian collection.

Here is an incredible example of some close-up detail on a human skull printed one a new generation 3D printer:

Here is a print of Abraham Lincoln’s hand taken from a plaster cast impression:

There are more pictures in my Flickr set too, it was a great tour!

My former boss, who is a multimedia guru, and I are hoping to get a digital imaging working group going at the museum which would include things like laser scanning and close-range photogrammetry. One of the things we’d love to use 3D imaging for is documenting Incan stonework for the upcoming ‘Inca Road’ exhibit…

After all the response to my previous photo, I thought I’d put this one up. These amazing violet crocus(es?) popped up a few days later about three feet away from the others!

I’ve noticed these little yellow flowers emerging in a tight patch in my yard. One of my neighbors told me they are a local variety and grow readily around the neighborhood; they are early sprouters for sure! This weekend we had amazing weather in Del Ray: 72 degrees and overcast. To celebrate, we spent Sunday outside working: spreading sheet mulch around the margins, and establishing a garden patch on the western side of the house. Hopefully I can show you some plants that we’ll grow there!

New beginnings all around: this is the first of what will hopefully be many posts, perhaps somewhat regularly here.

Come back again soon for more pictures and news!