Making Bones Lighter : Improving Accessibility of High-Resolution 3D Models in Osteology

Sammanfattning

The increasing use of 3D scanning in archaeology and osteology presents challenges related to file size, accessibility, and sustainability. High-resolution models often require advanced hardware and large storage, making them inaccessible to many researchers. This thesis investigates methods for optimizing 3D models, specifically through polygon reduction and texture baking, using Autodesk Maya, Blender, and ZBrush. The goal is to reduce file sizes while preserving osteologically relevant detail. The study is guided by the London Charter and framed within the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on education, infrastructure, and reduced inequality. Results show that effective compression is possible without significant loss of anatomical detail, but current workflows are complex and time-consuming. A more structured, accessible system for digital heritage is proposed. This research contributes to making 3D osteological data more usable, sustainable, and inclusive.