BEYOND THE PRINT – QR CODES AS A METHOD TO PRESENT 3D DATA

Virtual paleontology – the application of computer-generated models and three-dimensional visualization techniques – has become a fundamental research tool in the last decade. Although significant advances in hard- and software technology have facilitated the acquisition and creation of such models, the presentation of three-dimensional content still poses a considerable challenge. Whereas interactive models or pre-built animation sequences have become a familiar sight in conference presentations and can be integrated in the latter comparably easily, conveying the same information via a printed medium is considerably more difficult.

The increasing popularity and technical capabilities of handheld devices, namely smart phones and tablet computers, provide an intuitive and easy-to-use solution for the combination of three-dimensional content and traditional poster presentations. QR (or quick response) codes are a type of matrix barcodes originally designed for the automotive industry and confined to industrial purposes. Recently QR codes have become a popular tool in advertising and commercial application. However, its fast readability and easy access also permits to store and link content of any kind, and provides a prospective tool in science communication.

Here we present the, to our knowledge, first usage of QR code technology in (paleontological) research, by using its potential alongside traditional forms of presentation. Parallel to two-dimensional illustrations, QR codes are used to offer access to important additional information, such as animations or three-dimensional content illustrating essential sequences. The poster presentation is accompanied by selected examples of digital models, which are hosted on the author’s web site and can be directly accessed via the provided links. However, this method is not solely restricted to conference contributions, but has a great potential for the dissemination of information in museum exhibitions, public outreach events and science communication. This method is an alternative to cost-intensive hardware solutions using individual interactive devices and invites the consumer to interact and explore.