biostudies-literatureBlackburn DCDuke UniversityNational Science Foundation169-186https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10977868biostudies-literatureUnknown74(3)The impact of preserved museum specimens is transforming and increasing by three-dimensional (3D) imaging that creates high-fidelity online digital specimens. Through examples from the openVertebrate (oVert) Thematic Collections Network, we describe how we created a digitization community dedicated to the shared vision of making 3D data of specimens available and the impact of these data on a broad audience of scientists, students, teachers, artists, and more. High-fidelity digital 3D models allow people from multiple communities to simultaneously access and use scientific specimens. Based on our multiyear, multi-institution project, we identify significant technological and social hurdles that remain for fully realizing the potential impact of digital 3D specimens.BioscienceIncreasing the impact of vertebrate scientific collections through 3D imaging: The openVertebrate (oVert) Thematic Collections Network.PMC109778681701402170166515472292001443210190917017691701943RCN-222618519022421902105180249117022631701797200147420014351702421170187017024422001652170214317017371701714170151617017131701932DBI-1700908Braker EBlackburn DCGray JAPrestridge HLConway KWMaisano JATornabene LGage MWde la Sancha NWinchester JRabosky ADRabosky DLBaumgart SLMcCormack JERandall ZSRobbins MBWelton LJSummers APoVert Project TeamScheinberg LAWatkins-Colwell GJBates JMMarks BDDunnum JLSpencer CLTapanila LMaslenikov KPPandelis GGBoyer DMHanken JNagesan RSThompson CWStanley ELDillman CBEarly CMFrable BWColdren DfalseIncreasing the impact of vertebrate scientific collections through 3D imaging: The openVertebrate (oVert) Thematic Collections Network.The impact of preserved museum specimens is transforming and increasing by three-dimensional (3D) imaging that creates high-fidelity online digital specimens. Through examples from the openVertebrate (oVert) Thematic Collections Network, we describe how we created a digitization community dedicated to the shared vision of making 3D data of specimens available and the impact of these data on a broad audience of scientists, students, teachers, artists, and more. High-fidelity digital 3D models allow people from multiple communities to simultaneously access and use scientific specimens. Based on our multiyear, multi-institution project, we identify significant technological and social hurdles that remain for fully realizing the potential impact of digital 3D specimens.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Mar2026-04-08T15:20:06.464Z2025-04-06T07:46:31.125ZS-EPMC109778683856062010.1093/biosci/biad120