Methods were developed to use the portable Microscribe three-dimensional digitizer to distinguish external differences in some very large dinosaurs (total length > 20m) in order to study how changes in external features and bone shape affect the orientation and motion of the limbs. Digitized data was found to be useful because it could be quickly captured by the individual researcher, was cost efficient, and consisted of relatively small digital files that were easily manipulated on a standard laptop or desktop computer. The benefits of digitized data make them especially useful in shape studies, growth studies, and studies of motion in large animals. However, potential problems, such as extra time needed to assemble skeletal elements and accuracy limitations of digitized data, should be considered when contemplating using a three-dimensional digitizer to capture external features of fossil bones.