The first 3D visualisation of a heteromorph cephalopod species from the Southern Alps (Dolomites, northern Italy) is presented. Computed tomography, palaeontological data and 3D reconstructions were included in the production of a movie, which shows a life reconstruction of the extinct organism. This detailed reconstruction is according to the current knowledge of the shape and mode of life as well as habitat of this animal. The results are based on the most complete shell known thus far of the genus Dissimilites. Object-based combined analyses from computed tomography and various computed 3D facility programmes help to understand morphological details as well as their ontogentical changes in fossil material. In this study, an additional goal was to show changes in locomotion during different ontogenetic phases of such fossil, marine shell-bearing animals (ammonoids). Hence, the presented models and tools can serve as starting points for discussions on morphology and locomotion of extinct cephalopods in general, and of the genus Dissimilites in particular. The heteromorph ammonoid genus Dissimilites is interpreted here as an active swimmer of the Tethyan Ocean. This study portrays non-destructive methods of 3D visualisation applied on palaeontological material, starting with computed tomography resulting in animated, high-quality video clips. The here presented 3D geometrical models and animation, which are based on palaeontological material, demonstrate the wide range of applications, analytical techniques and also outline possible limitations of 3D models in earth sciences and palaeontology. The realistic 3D models and motion pictures can easily be shared amongst palaeontologists. Data, images and short clips can be discussed online and, if necessary, adapted in morphological details and motion-style to better represent the cephalopod animal.

中文翻译：

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使用计算机断层扫描仪计算已灭绝头足类动物的 3D 可视化

展示了来自南阿尔卑斯山（意大利北部多洛米蒂山）的异形头足类物种的第一个 3D 可视化。计算机断层扫描、古生物学数据和 3D 重建被包括在电影的制作中，该电影展示了已灭绝生物的生命重建。这个详细的重建是根据目前对这种动物的形状和生活方式以及栖息地的了解。结果基于迄今为止已知的异种属最完整的外壳。来自计算机断层扫描和各种计算 3D 设施程序的基于对象的组合分析有助于了解形态细节及其在化石材料中的个体发生变化。在这项研究中，另一个目标是显示这种化石在不同个体发育阶段的运动变化，海洋带壳动物（菊石）。因此，所提出的模型和工具可以作为讨论已灭绝头足类动物，特别是异种属的形态和运动的起点。异形菊石属 Dissimilites 在这里被解释为特提斯洋的活跃游泳者。这项研究描绘了应用于古生物材料的 3D 可视化的非破坏性方法，从计算机断层扫描开始，产生动画、高质量的视频剪辑。这里展示的 3D 几何模型和动画基于古生物材料，展示了广泛的应用、分析技术，并概述了 3D 模型在地球科学和古生物学中的可能局限性。古生物学家可以轻松共享逼真的 3D 模型和电影。可以在线讨论数据、图像和短片，并在必要时调整形态细节和运动风格，以更好地代表头足类动物。