Visual Designer
3D Models of Phytoplankton for QuickTime VR movies. Created for "Phytopia" educational CD-ROM.
Sketch of Thalassiona Nitzschioides phytoplankton for 3D Models. "Phytopia" CD-ROM
Glass Sculpture of Protoperdinium Divergens, Institute of Oceanography in NhaTrang, Vietnam.
3D Models of Phytoplankton for QuickTime VR movies. Created for "Phytopia" educational CD-ROM.
"Phytopia" Phytoplankton
3D Models
3D Models of scientifically accurate phytoplankton for QuickTime VR. Created for the "PHYTOPIA" Educational CD-ROM.
Lightwave 3D
Images courtesy of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, University of New England, NASA, JPL, Caltech.
Quite often I am required to utilize my research skills, to create accurate visualizations of complex scientific processes. The 3D models of phytoplankton that I created for the "Phytopia" educational CD-ROM were a milestone achievment.
When oceanographers look at phytoplankton in a microscope they are viewed as flat, 2D creatures. Our client wanted to be able to see them as 3D objects that she could rotate around to get a complete picture of what each phytoplankton looked like.
I was sent microscope images and microscope videos of various types of phytoplankton to use as source material. I created drawings of the phytoplankton from the front, sides, back and top, verifying that the images were scientifically accurate. I then, re-created the phytoplankton as 3D models, which were also validated for scientific accuracy. These models were finally, animated as QuickTime VR movies so that students and other scientists could get a 3D view of what those essential, microscopic organizms really look like. This was a celebrated first in the scientific community.
Some of these models were used to create laser etched sculptures for an exhibit on phytoplankton at the Institute of Oceanography in NhaTrang, Vietnam.