The Department of Anthropology at the University of Manitoba hosts the CFI funded Bioanthropology Digital Image Analysis Laboratory (BDIAL).The BDIAL was established in 2001 by Dr. Robert Hoppa, through the support of a Canada Foundation for Innovation New Opportunities grant. Additional support was provided by the Manitoba Innovation Fund, Thomas Sill Foundation, the Winnipeg Foundation and the University of Manitoba. Partnering support was also provided by Carsen Group Inc, Buehler Canada, GE Medical Systems Canada, and 3D Metrics Inc. Phase II of the lab was supported through a CFI-CRC grant, the Canada Research Chairs program and from the University of Manitoba. Support for individual programs of research can be found with their project descriptions. In conjunction with the existing archaeology and physical anthropology labs, the BDIAL brings together specialized equipment related to imaging, in an integrated lab space. The facilities include digital radiography, thin sectioning facilities, digital microscopy, including brightfield and fluorescence microscopy, dedicated image analysis software, 3D image modeling and analysis software, both a structured light and laser 3D scanners and a Dimension SST 1200es 3D printer for object printing from 3D computer models. In addition, the lab is equipped with flatbed and film scanners, a variety of analytical software packages. The BDIAL provides space for layout and analysis of biological and archaeological materials, as well as a variety of hardware and software for specialized analytical processes. A clean lab with computers, imaging software and digital microscopy is adjacent to a layout lab with fume hood and sinks, microscopes and radiography.

Facilities within the BDIAL can be broadly broken down into the following areas: Osteology: secure layout space for osteological analysis, in association with microscopes, a variety of digital calipers, and a work station is available. Thin Sectioning: the former Thin Sectioning Lab established by Dr. Ariane Burke is now part of the BDIAL and includes Low Speed and Isomet 1000 saws, a Petro-Thin, grinding wheel, Minimet polisher and vacuum impregnation system. Digital Radiography: a Faxitron cabinet x-ray machine is available in the lab equipped with an EZ240 12 bit digital scanner and workstation. Digital Microscopy: the clean lab houses an Olympus SZX12 Research Stereoscope; an Olympus BX51 fluorescing research microscope with automated stage and DP7 CCD digital microscopy camera driven Olympus STREAM software. 3D Imaging and Modeling: a Polhemus FastScan portable 3D laser scanner with stylus, a NextEngine 3D colour desktop scanner, Materialise MIMICS medical imaging software for editing and rendering CT and MRI data, INUS RapidForm reverse engineering software for editing and analysis of 3D models. 3D Printing: Dimension SST 1200es 3D printer. Virtual Reconstruction, Digital Archiving and Dissemination: Poser 4.0 animation software; dedicated 4TB Western Digital Server, HP PS800 wide format DesignJet; Macromedia Studio MX; Adobe Video Collection Professional; Macromedia Director MX 2004.