Figure 1.
Flow diagram of the steps creating an interactive animated 3D model, based on the example of a screw-and-nut type hip joint of the weevil Trigonopterus oblongus.
After acquisition of a 3D volume, scientific visualization software (e.g. Amira; red boxes) is used for creating surface models. 3D computer graphics software (here: CINEMA 4D and Deep Exploration; blue boxes) is employed for surface optimization, assembling and animation. The animated model may be embedded into a PDF document.
Figure 2.
Axis alignment and animation of the screw joint of Trigonopterus oblongus in CINEMA 4D.
(A–C) 2D views (A: bottom, B: right, C: front) displaying surface isoparms for axis alignment. The boundary of the trochanter is indicated by the yellow frame, the rotation axis by the arrows (red: X axis, green: Y axis, blue: Z axis). (D) Displayed surface isoparms in central perspective. (E, F) Same joint (Gouraud shading); coxa (green) cut by attached Boole tool, thus revealing friction surfaces of the joint parts (white arrows).
Figure 3.
Blocking mechanisms of legs in Trigonopterus vandekampi.
(A) Illustration of the movement from walking position to thanatosis. (B) Prothorax in ventral aspect; note the flattened mesial faces of the coxae and the narrow thoracic canal. (C) Simplified model of the prothoracic blocking mechanism. (D–F) Metacoxal leverage. (D) Hind leg elevated; note the depressed face of the metafemur (black arrow), the metathoracic intercoxal ridge (white arrow) and the abdominal protrusion (red arrow). (E) Inward rotation of the trochanter causes the depressed face of the femur to press against the posterior face of the intercoxal ridge (arrow). (F) The leverage effect causes the coxa to swing backwards and the joint comes to a dead stop.