Fileset: Procedure for transforming 3D computed tomography (CT) skull and face models to a common orientation.

This fileset provides figures, a spreadsheet, and a Meshlab script for transforming 3D skull and face models reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) scans to a common orientation (Frankfurt Horizontal with Nasion centered). The spreadsheet requires x-, y-, z-coordinates for Nasion (N), Left Orbitale (OrL), Left and Right Porion (PoL and PoR). After the coordinates are pasted in, the spreadsheet calculates the rotations and translation to orient the skull and/or face model so that N is at x = 0, OrL, PoL, and PoR are at z = 0, and PoL and PoR are at y = 0. The calculated values can be applied to the 3D skull and face models within Meshlab following the steps outlined in the figures.The figures outline the steps for entering the numbers manually, step-by-step in the appropriate Meshlab filters, while the attached Meshlab script (.mlx) allows the steps to be run all at once after entering the appropriate values into the script.This procedure will allow pre-existing 3D head models to be rotated and translated into a common orientation for use in forensic craniofacial identification research and practice, to include forensic facial approximation and craniofacial superimposition. The standardized orientation will allow the visualization and quantification of the relationships of bone and soft tissue anatomical landmarks in front view, profile view, and in any axis.