3D Musculoskeletal Modelling and Biomechanical Analysis Using Open-Source Software

Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 1:00 - 5:00 pm

Musculoskeletal modelling enables researchers to test biomechanical hypothesis using 3D scans of skeletal structures. Musculoskeletal models can be used for analyses of muscle leverage and moment arms, volumetric reconstructions of total body mass, and even physics simulations of movement (locomotion, feeding, etc.). In this workshop, I will demonstrate how to construct a biomechanical model in Blender (open source 3D graphics software), starting from a 3D skeletal scan.

The workshop will make use of the open-source plugin "MuSkeMo", a toolbox developed for musculoskeletal modelling. Attendees will follow along and construct their own musculoskeletal model, using source data that will be provided for the workshop. Attendees will learn how to estimate muscle moment arms, perform volumetric reconstructions to estimate total body masses and segment masses of tetrapods (directly from the skeletal proportions), and export their data for downstream simulations (including possible conversion to OpenSim, a popular biomechanical simulator). During the workshop, we will rebuild a published and validated model of the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). However, the approach can be applied to any tetrapod, and some examples will be given of how MuSkeMo has been used in analyses of extant and extinct (non-avian) dinosaurs and mammals.

Requirements: Please bring your own laptop, with Blender 5.0 installed.

Venue: Huntington Convention Center, Cleveland, Ohio

Accessibility: Will be held in ADA-compliant venue with audio/visual support. Participants should be prepared to work on their personal laptop during the workshop.

Organizer: Pasha van Bijlert

Cost per person: $45 (students and PhD students), or $125

Minimum and maximum number of participants: 15-50