Check out free creature anatomy reference app Arthropods
Creature designers needing real-world references for their creepy-crawlies should check out Arthropods (Arthropodes), Laetoli Production’s free web and desktop app.
Created by illustrator and animator Samba Soussoko, the app lets you manipulate scans of arthropods – insects, spiders, centipedes, crabs and their allies – and measure them in 3D.
Compare 3D scans of real invertebrates from museum collections
Arthropods makes it possible to view and manipulate 3D scans of 12 different arthropods from museum collections, from insects and spiders to a giant centipede and giant sea slater.
It is then possible to explore their anatomy by hiding or isolating different body parts, and making precise measurements of lengths and angles.
You can also view two species side by side to compare the layouts of the body parts in different groups of arthropods.
The app was developed in partnership with natural history museums in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg, and the 3D scans were taken from their collections.
Soussoko tells us that he plans to add more specimens in the coming months.
Part of a family of free animal anatomy apps
If you want to compare other types of animal in the same way, check out Laetoli Production’s previous web app, Vertebrates, which does a similar job for vertebrate skeletons.
System requirements
Arthropods is available a web app and as a desktop application for Windows only. Both are free.
To download the desktop app, you need to register for a free account on Laetoli Production’s website; you can use the web app without registering.
Use free online reference app Arthropods to compare 3D scans of real creatures
Have your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we don’t post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.