Two Texas blind catfish specimens were used for a 3D animation in World of Water exhibit at Witte Museum. In order to capture 3D information, Dr. Susan Hovorka and Dr. Dean Hendrickson arranged two specimens to be X-ray scanned using Computed Axial Tomography at the High Resolution X-ray CT facility at the University of Texas. The two specimens that were scanned were Trogloglanis pattersoni and Satan eurystomus; both species are found naturally in the Edwards Aquifer in the San Antonio area. The specimens are part of the Texas Memorial Museum collections at the University of Texas. Both specimens were mounted on a wet sponge and X-ray CAT scanned simultaneously by Dr. Julian Humphries. Two scans were done, a low resolution scan and a high resolution scan. For the World of Water, exhibit only the low resolution scan was used. The X-ray scanner generated a stack of parallel 2D images that formed a 3D block volume. The 2D images were processed by Reuben Reyes to create 3D models. Using 3D software, the two specimens were digitally separated. Each specimen was digitally retouched due to data loss in the thinner areas of the fins and whiskers. The sponge that the specimens laid on was also digitally removed. The specimens were laid out very well for the X-ray scan but the orientation of both were curled so that both would fit in the circular X-ray scanning window. The goal for the World of Water exhibit was to make the two 3D models digitally swim and move realistically for an animation, in order to do this both 3D models were digitally straightened out so that the spine was straight and not curved. Once the specimens were straight, a tail movement and fish swim movement were added digitally. This movement can be seen in the VRML models and were also used to make the animations for the World of Water exhibit using 3D Studio Max. Color was added to the skin surface from photographs of both species to give a more realistic rendering. In the final render of the animation, the skin color was made to look bluer to match the water color in the animation. The VRML models on this page were reduced in size using a facet reduction called decimation. This was done so the 3D models would be easer to download and view but beware that the models are still large. You will need a high speed connection, a fast graphics card and VRML plug-in to view. Below are static and swimming 3D models of both Trogloglanis pattersoni and Satan eurystomus in VRML format. Click on images to view VRML models.
| Blindcats | Trogloglanis pattersoni | Satan eurystomus |
|---|---|---|
| Static Models |  Size 2301 Kb 122485 facets |  Size 2435 Kb 102834 facets |
| Swimming Models | 5965 Kb 122485 facets | 8231 Kb 102834 facets |
| Common Name | Toothless blindcat | Widemouth blindcat |
