In November 2005, Rene Shewry, an art historian for a private collection in London, UK brought a sculpture called the "Wax Rider" to Arius3D to scan and create a high quality 3D digital image which could be distributed among scholars around the world who would apply different scientific methods to answer the questions of authenticity. The controversial beeswax sculpture is speculated to have been created by the great master Leonardo da Vinci.

The Arius3D color scanning technology was used to capture more then 12 million unique colored points from the surface of the sculpture at a resolution of 100 microns in the X and Y axis, and 25 microns in the Z axis. Based on original NRC research, the Arius3D Foundation System is recognized as the only three-dimensional measurement system that simultaneously captures color and geometry from real world objects. The non-contact laser light measurement cannot harm objects or artifacts in any way. The Arius3D process is not affected by ambient light, so it provides the most accurate and precise image possible. Once an object’s image is captured it can be redeployed in a multitude of resolutions and in a range of file formats.

The high resolution image revealed extra details of casting marks that had not previously been discovered, and several fingerprints which were invisible to the naked eye. It is anticipated that these new fingerprints can be used to possibly match other known fingerprints collected from Leonardo paintings in the National Gallery in London, and several museums in the US and Canada.

"We've accomplished a great deal at Arius, because we are now able to make a perfectly accurate reproduction of the original model without having to make this one travel...” Rene Shewry

For more information on the scanning of the "Wax Rider" sculpture view the following link: http://stream.arius3d.com/davinci.asf

Arius3D creates digital imaging solutions that enable organizations to research, present, and share unique physical objects in digital form.

The Arius3D three-dimensional color scanners and the Pointstream imaging software support wide ranging applications in culture and heritage, research, education, and entertainment.

Leonardo DaVinci

Completed Arius3D digital model of “Wax Rider” sculpture

Fingerprint on the beeswax model