Preserving 3D Scans: A Journey : Short Paper - iPRES 2025 - Wellington, New Zealand / Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa
Abstract
The world of digital heritage is rapidly evolving, with 3D scanning becoming increasingly common use to preserve valuable heritage artifacts. Are we adequate-ly preparing for the long term? Our research into the preservation of 3D scans tackles that crucial question, by investigating how cultural heritage institutions preserve these valuable 3D assets. A recent interna-tional survey and literature review revealed a con-cerning gap: while 3D digitisation speeds ahead, preservation often lags behind. Many organisations rely on fragile solutions like simple backups or online platforms, hardly ideal for ensuring future access and understanding the data. Our study emphasizes that robust preservation requires more than just saving the 3D file itself. It highlights the importance of selecting appropriate archival formats, favouring open and text-based op-tions like X3D, STL, and OBJ, alongside preserving original raw scanner data, a vital safeguard against future software incompatibilities. Comprehensive metadata is key to preserve these 3D models. This goes beyond descriptive and tech-nical metadata, but includes paradata and prove-nance metadata. Paradata is detailed information of the creation of the model, such as scanner settings, processing techniques and decisions. Provenance metadata describes the history and origins of a 3D model, ensuring authenticity and transparency. We researched specialised 3D metadata models like CRMdig and the Smithsonian 3D Metadata Model which provide the ability to store these essential metadata. Ultimately, this research journey underscores a critical need: to bridge the gap between rapid digitisa-tion and thoughtful preservation. By prioritising raw data, embracing open formats, and implementing robust metadata strategies, we can safeguard these digital treasures and the stories they tell for genera-tions to come.Details
- Creators
- Lode Scheers; Nastasia Vanderperren
- Institutions
- Date
- 2025-09-01 00:00:00 +0000
- Keywords
- digital humanities
- Publication Type
- paper
- License
- http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
- Download
- 179703 bytes