Using Blender as a teaching aid

Hey,

This is my first post here, so I hope it’s in the right place.

Im thinking of taking on an ambitious task using blender for my final year project at university.

I study anatomy and have research interests in medicine and education, so for my project I was looking at comparing a 3D computer model with a textbooks and cadavers for effectiveness in teaching the anatomy related to taking blood from the arm.

So what I would like to do, if possible, is to create a 3D model of an arm, complete with bones, muscles, vessels and nerves. Ideally it should be navigatable in a 3D environment and be able to move some muscles to expose deeper structures.

So, before I begin, is this actually possible? If so, would there be any tips from the community to point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance,

Ant.

Well, I’m a noob. Only been Blending for about a year. No one else has tackled this, so let me try. I believe Blender can do it, but you would have to be a real pro to accomplish it. Or with any other 3D program as well. It’s not as simple as it sounds.
I say that from reading about the following. I’m sure you have heard of the movie ‘Up’ by Pixar. Well I got my CGW magazine (Computer Graphics World) and there is a story about the making of the Animated movie ‘Up’. Here is one sentence that caught my eye and pertains to your question as well. “Russell’s multiple layers of clothing and Carl’s thick jacket and boxy trousers created unique problems for the cloth-simulation team to solve.” - Barbara Robertson.
I was kind of shocked actually. I thought the pros had this stuff down they could do anything. But it still seems to be quite challenging to do even for them.
Cheers and Good Luck.

some guys did some work on MRI and CAT scan if i remember well
you might first begin by doing a search in the forum

here’s one of these thread
Brain Scan MRI
http://www.med.harvard.edu/AANLIB/cases/caseNA/pb9.htm
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=154372&highlight=cat+scan
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=156543&highlight=cat+scan
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=147923&highlight=cat+scan
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=141280&highlight=cat+scan
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=122312&highlight=cat+scan

and you might sent a message to thsi guy and ask him if he has seem anything on arm
i;m certain he can point you in the right direction

Salutations

Here is a very detailed skeleton to get you started:

Of course, if you’re wanting this project to have real-time interaction, you’ll need a lower-poly skeleton.

It’s certainly possible. It might not be easy.

Here’s something related to look at.

You say you want it navigable in 3D. If you mean realtime interaction, this means the game engine. I’ve actually got a student right now who’s thinking of making some kind of realtime anatomical exploration environment with the game engine. Should be interesting to see what she comes up with.

T

Thanks everyone for your help so far, it’s all really useful and highly appreciated.