新华网8月29日电 据科技博客Gizmodo文章，英国地质调查局推出了化石数据库，用户可根据数据库提供的信息打印3D化石图像。

化石是立体的，但无法被真正触摸，而通过网络也不容易观察其深度和细节。但英国地质调查局提供的新化石数据包括打印3D化石图像所需要的文件。

搜索数据库有数千张化石图片，它们可放大、旋转以及在屏幕上互动。通过下载.ply和.obj文件来打印3D图像，你可以把这些骨化石和老古董带到屋里的感官领域。你可以按照时间、化石类型、种、属等信息进行搜索查找各类化石。比如，这块是一种软体动物的化石，那块是三叶虫的。

据估计，英国地质调查局大约收集了300万个标本，还没有把所有标本放在网络上，但每天都在添加新的图片。所有假如你没找到需要的图片，要耐心等待。他们并不是想把这300万个化石标本悉数展示出来，但至少你可以用你自己的电脑和3D打印机把自己喜欢的打印出来。

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译者：高菲

Fossils are three-dimensional objects, but you aren't really supposed to touch them, and you can't see their depth and detail very easily over the internet. But a new database of fossils from the British Geological Survey actually has the necessary files for you to 3D print fossils yourself.

The searchable database has thousands of images of fossils you can zoom in on, rotate, and interact with on your screen. And you can bring these old bones and artifacts into the physical realm too, thanks to downloadable .ply and .obj files you can use to 3D print them. You can search by period of time, type of fossil, species, genus, etc. to find all kinds of fossils. For example, here's a Pectinatites (a type of mollusk). And here's an interactive trilobite.

The British Geological Survey has an estimated three million specimens in its collection, so they haven't all made it online yet. But the group is adding more images every day, so if you don't see what you're looking for, be patient. It's not like they're ever going to get around putting all three million fossils on display. At least, though, you can 3D print the ones you want to know more about from your own computer and 3D printer.

(原标题：化石数据库支持打印3D化石图像)