This image provided by the Smithsonian Institution shows a 3D rendering of Abraham Lincoln’s life mask, held at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

Read: Smithsonian makes push in 3D imaging of artifacts

The Smithsonian is launching a new 3D viewer online Wednesday Nov. 13, 2013 to give people a closer look at artifacts in their own homes.  (AP Photo/Smithsonian Institution)

This undated handout photo provided by the Smithsonian Institution shows a handheld laser scanning the “Cosmic Buddha” to capture 3D data. The data can also be downloaded, recreated with a 3D printer, and used to help illustrate lessons in history, art and science in schools. Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough says museums face a greater challenge than the digitization of documents in libraries or archives because artifacts are three-dimensional.  (AP Photo/Smithsonian)

This undated handout photo provided by the Smithsonian Institution shows Smithsonian 3-D Digitization coordinators Adam Metallo, left, and Vince Rossi using 3-D technology to scan a fossilized whale discovered beside the Pan American Highway in the Atacama Desert near Caldera, Chile. Clough is  calling on museums to speed up their work to innovate and digitize collections to make artifacts accessible online for a generation born in the Internet age. (AP Photo/Smithsonian Institution)