A project to create a digital library of all living organisms is underway at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

The Beastcam Array, a rapid-capture, field portable tabletop system for making high-resolution, full-color 3-D models, will initially be used to create models of two groups facing survival threats: frogs and sea turtles.

Gecko awaits its digital portrait with the Beastcam Array.The system consists of 10 fixed arms, each of which can mount three G-16 Canon cameras for a 30-camera array. Small animals placed in the array’s center can be modeled in 3-D by the cameras aided by software.

The technology has been used to develop “Digital Life”, a multimedia platform, which has been deployed to create 3-D models of sharks, scorpions, toads, and lizards.

Researchers plan to provide 3-D models at no cost for creative or nonprofit use on an open-access website. They say they believe the models will be valuable for educators, scientists, and conservationists.