Caribbean acroporids (Acropora palmata, A. cervicornis, and A. prolifera) corals were photographed, measured, and collected and transported in coolers of seawater to the laboratory for 3D scans. Corals were kept in a seawater system or under the laboratory dock until scanning commenced.  Corals were first photographed, then landmarks (i.e., small balls of modeling clay) were added to the corals to assist with alignments during post-scan analyses, and the coral was scanned.

3D scans of corals were edited in Scan Studio software. Any unnecessary part of the scan was trimmed off, such as the stand that corals were propped on. Multiple scans were aligned using strategically placed markers that were placed on the corals prior to scanning. After aligning the scans, markers were trimmed off, and the image was fused in order to fill any existing holes.

Once .stl files were exported from the scanner software, files were uploaded to Autodesk Meshmixer (Ver. 3.4.35). While in the Meshmixer software, most files had the mesh repaired and filled in using the “make solid” tool in the “edit” tab. In the “Make Solid tool “Sharp Edge Preserve” is to be selected for the “Solid Type” while “Solid Accuracy” is set to 500, and “Mesh Density” is set to 420, all other settings remained the standard. However, prior to making it solid the “Sculpt” tool was used for the dense branched A. prolifera. The “Inflate” brush was used at various strength and sizes to build in sections of branches what were not completely formed during scanning.