MetaMorphos is an application that illustrates the structural plans of metazoans through 3D reconstructions. The organisms presented in the application are avatars, 3D reconstructions of typical organisms that encompass the major characteristics of taxa. MetaMorphos enables the analysis of the external morphology of these avatars as well as their systemic organization. The visualized organ systems include the digestive, excretory, nervous, reproductive, circulatory, respiratory, and any other unique systems observed in specific taxa (e.g., the ambulacral system in echinoderms).
Overview 🔎
The mission of the project is to create an educational tool to complete animal biology courses at the University. In addition to having theoretical courses with 2D supports as well as dissections, students can use a tool allowing them to visualize animals in 3D as well as their internal systems. The aim is to improve the understanding of the structural plans of certain metazoans
FEATURES 🎨
The main feature of MetaMorphos is being able to control the visibility of animal systems (example: isolating the digestive system of the fly). Another feature beyond being able to view all avatars in 3 dimensions and having information on the pointed elements
CHALLENGES🤔Â
A first challenge was to define an optimal workflow for implementing 3D avatars in the application. Another challenge was to manage the multiplication of 3D files, increasing the weight of the application and slowing down performance. To do this, I had to set up an asset loading system with AWS. Another challenge was choosing where to place the application. The choice was made for itch.io because the store platforms were too complicated to manage for the small amount of downloading.
IMPACT 💥
One of the positive impacts is that more and more biology students are using this application and it allows them to retain informations more effectively. Printscreens of the application are even used during animal biology exams.
