Case Study: University of South Florida achieves expanded access to fragile artifacts with 3D Systems' Sense scanner and Geomagic software

Learning the Digital Thread with Sense 3D Scanner and Geomagic Software

3D Systems partnered with the University of South Florida’s CVAST labs to address a common museum and research challenge: fragile, fragmentary archaeological artifacts that are difficult to handle, study, and share. Students and researchers needed a fast, non‑destructive way to capture the morphology and surface details of ceramics from long‑curated collections while also learning modern digital workflows.

Using the Sense 3D scanner and Geomagic software, CVAST taught the full digital‑thread workflow—data capture, processing, modeling, visualization, and 3D printing—so students like anthropology graduate Christine Bergmann can digitize artifacts, analyze traits, and produce replicas. The result is broader accessibility and research opportunities, safer handling of originals, and hands‑on student training, with models ready to share online and reproduce as tactile 3D prints.

University of South Florida

Nancy Marie White

Professor