Watch in stereoscopic VR headset to see geological models in 3D! This is the VR edition of a presentation originally delivered at the EPEX 2022 conference, the 2D version can be found here: • Grab hold of your data...
Presented by Jordan Clark, Matt Dupont, and Maryrose D'Arienzo, from the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Library.
For Matt and Maryrose's full talk: • Matthew Dupont / Maryr...
3D Printing for Geologists and Subsurface Explorers - Turning the Abstract into Reality.
Clark, Jordan K1; Matthew A Dupont1 ; Maryrose N D'Arienzo1 ; Charles E Logan 2 ; Hazen A J Russell2
1Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Library, 669 Exeter Rd, London, ON N6E 1L3
2Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, 601 Booth St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0E8
Tactile three-dimensional (3D) printed models of subsurface geological formations offer a way to hold and view modelled geology naturally. The ability to hold and rotate a physical model allows the viewer to focus on analysing the geometry from a geological perspective in a situation where the shape is intuitive. As an introduction to the geology of southern Ontario, a four-layer model was printed from the new lithostratigraphic model of southern Ontario (Carter et al., 2021).
Two types of 3D printers are available for desktop manufacturing at an affordable price point. The most common and affordable type of printing is fused deposition modeling (FDM). In FDM printing, a model is built on a platform from a spool of filament fused layer by layer with heat. The second type of common desktop printer uses stereolithography (SLA). In SLA printing, a model is built on a platform lowered into a tray of resin that is cured in layers using ultraviolet light. Both types of printing were found to produce good results with each having noteworthy advantages. FDM printers offer the largest size and lowest cost for most projects. The models are durable and do not require post processing; however, printing can be inconsistent and fine details may not be reproduced with accuracy. SLA printers can offer the highest quality, most consistent prints, with preservation of fine details on the model surface. Models require washing, curing, and post processing.
Objects from the lithostratigraphic model of southern Ontario were created using Leapfrog Works and exported as Wavefront object (OBJ) files. Any GIS or CAD software that can export an OBJ or Standard Triangle Language (STL) file format will be compatible with most 3D printing software. Some 3D printing software, like Cura for FDM printers, will also support PNG or JPG formats, enabling the printing of digital terrain models using pixel brightness as the model height.
Model objects were edited for printing using Blender, a common and powerful 3D modelling software. Title text, scales, and model features were created as 3D objects and combined with existing model layers to form a solid 3D geometry that can be printed as one solid part. Edited objects must then be passed to print slicing software to prepare printer specific instructions. For SLA prints, PreForm software from Formlabs was used. For FDM prints, Cura was used.
A detailed four-layer model of southern Ontario’s geology was printed on a Formlabs Form 3 printer (SLA). This model consists of Precambrian, Ordovician-Cambrian, Silurian, and Devonian layers that snap together. Each layer was printed with label text as a single part, using a coloured resin corresponding to the geological age. Holding and rotating the geology of southern Ontario immediately reveals regional features such as the Chatham sag, Algonquin Arch, and major faults.
Carter, T R; Logan, C E; Clark, J K; Russell, H A J; Brunton, F R; Cachunjua, A; D'Arienzo, M; Freckelton, C; Rzyszczak, H; Sun, S; Yeung, K H. 2021. A three-dimensional geological model of the Paleozoic bedrock of southern Ontario. Geological Survey of Canada, doi.org/10.4095/328297
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With Thanks to:
Jordan Clark, Matt Dupont, Maryrose D'Arienzo (presenters)
Matt Dupont (video editor)
Ben “DJ Benane” Somers (original soundtrack)