In the finest tradition of "punctuated-equilibrium," 3D
modeling in the area of medical science has just taken a great leap
forward. Under the leadership of Bryan Brandenberg, Chief Executive
Officer, Zygote Media Group leads this new millennium with the
development of highly detailed 3D models of the human body. Zygote
has released a series of male and female models with anatomically
accurate muscle, organ, circulatory, nervous, lymphatic and
skeletal systems. The full body mesh comes with and without
genitalia. So who is Zygote? Yes, this is the long-standing company
that brought Poser content to the community for many years. Brian
is the first to say that the team at Zygote is absolutely top
notch. The designing force, behind the new medical models are;
Roger Clarke and David Dunston. Brians description of Zygote,
Roger, and David is quite amazing. As principles in Zygote Media
Group (founded in 1994), Roger Clarke and David Dunston have
directed the companys growth and development into the industries
leading source for high-end 3D science content. We founded Zygote
with the mission to create and provide the highest quality 3D
anatomy and biology content, and our company has always taken pride
in delivering what we internally call Zygote Quality. For
over a decade, Dave has taken personally responsibility for the
companys visual graphics and 3D content quality says Clarke.
Davids work has been seen in all sorts of media, from motion
pictures and broadcast television to printed publications.
Time recently utilized one of Davids renderings as a
two-page spread in their June 6th article; Getting Fit From Head
to Toe. Rogers work has been widely seen as well. He was
instrumental in developing the anatomy seen on the silver screen in
films, such as The Fifth Element and Hollow Man. His
work is also utilized every day in textbooks, at schools and
universities, as well as in pharmaceutical and bio-medical device
companies around the world.
The exciting part of these bio-medical models, is that, with some
rigging on your part and modern animation techniques, these models
can be made to simulate the pumping of fluid through the
circulatory system. This can provide a valuable learning and
medical diagnostic tool for various blockages. Range of motion
simulations from joint implants can be demonstrated to a patient
who is about to undergo a joint replacement, or has recently had
joint surgery. If you have not already done so, it is worth your
while to visit The Zygote web site, and navigate to their
bio-medical section to view the animation. Perhaps the greatest
excitement about Zygote's bio-mechanical model is their development
of a Poser 6 version. Currently, the male medical model is fixed in
a standard anatomical position, which does not allow for posing in
Poser. However, each of the props, when selected, will appear in
the correct position. Each mesh is meticulously crafted to
interweave with each system in the body that has been produced by
Zygote. These models are high in poly count and consume a great
deal of Poser resources if all are loaded at once. However, they
load well in Poser 5 and may even have slightly faster load and
render times. The Zygote mesh is available for other applications
and formats such as 3D Studio MAX, Maya, C4D, HRC, LWO, OBJ, and
XSI. Obviously, one can export from Poser and bring the mesh into
Bryce, for example. Adamites's X-Ray materials can be used to
demonstrate locations of PICC catheters [or modeled orthopedic
hardware, or a simple transverse fracture], with Photoshop
post-work. An export into XSI, with the Camera clipping plane, is
great for a slice view of the internal organs such as the heart
model. The internal organs can easily be sized and positioned to
work with the standard Poser models. The only limits as to what can
be done is up to the user.
When in Poser, in the Materials Room, each model can be re-textured
by selecting the individual parts and using a texture you have made
in UVMapper, or the future textures to be released by Zygote this
summer. Transparencies for the outer membrane of the lungs and
heart are especially useful for illustrative purposes.
There will never be a rival to the famed Frank Netter, M.D., who's
6000 plus hand drawn images still dominate todays medical text
books. Nevertheless, many 3D artists are turning to models, such as
the Zygote medical models, to produce medical illustrations for
specialty markets. Trial lawyers, medical product manufacturers,
schools, books, brochures, hospitals, hospices, and a myriad of
market shares in the bio-medical industry today, utilize
illustrations and animations from simple to complex. The better the
3D mesh and product, the more the world turns to 3D for their
presentations. Zygote is simply the way of the future. Medical
illustrations are not for the light hearted. The Association
of Medical Illustrators for example, is a national
organization that certifies illustrators who have reached a certain
level of medical and artistic proficiency and training.
(Renderosity has previoulsy explored the AMI in the following
article). Their members are few, distinguished,
and well educated. However, you do not need certification to make
illustrations if you have great market contacts and great tools.
The first step is up to you find your own market. The second step
is crucial you must have great tools to deliver in a
professional, timely, and accurate manner, and Zygote is that
tool!
So what does the future hold? Brian says that the non-compete
agreement with his former employer, DAZ, has now expired. Bones
(rigging) and texture are being applied to the Poser male model,
and the female model for Poser is well under way. Zygote is working
with the Association of Medical Illustrators as a sponsor. Zygote
will have a booth at SIGGRAPH 2005, so look up Brian, Roger, and
Dave and say hi when you visit.
All images featured in the above article
are Zygote Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All images in
the above article were used with permission from Zygote Media
Group, Inc., And cannot be printed, copied, or reprinted without
written permission from Zygote Media Group,
Inc.
Tech Views is a regular featured column
with Renderosity Staff Writer/Sr. Tech Editor Eric Post [EricofSD].
June 27, 2005 |
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