Goal

Provide practical references for implementation decisions across setup, file management, metadata, storage, policy, and publication, with a linked glossary for quick definitions.

1) Start with these core readings

2) Useful 3D resources

3D viewers

  • Blender for desktop inspection and editing.
  • MeshLab for mesh inspection and analysis.
  • ParaView for advanced scientific 3D viewing.
  • CloudCompare for point cloud and mesh inspection.
  • Sketchfab for browser-based viewing and sharing.

3) Glossary

3D model: a digital representation of form, often with textures and materials. Reference.
Repository: organized storage and management space for files, metadata, and governance records. Reference.
Metadata: descriptive and technical information about files and objects. Reference.
Paradata: record of processing choices and assumptions. Reference.
Preservation master: highest quality retained version for long-term stewardship. Reference.
Access derivative: delivery copy made for public or classroom use. Reference.
Print derivative: print-ready output such as 3MF, STL, or G-code generated from the model package. Reference.
Point cloud: a set of spatial points captured by scanning systems such as LiDAR that can later be analyzed directly or converted into a mesh. Reference.
Registration: the alignment of multiple scans or captures into one shared coordinate system so they combine into a coherent model. Reference.
Decimation: the reduction of mesh complexity by lowering polygon or face count to make lighter derivatives while preserving the overall form. Reference.
Relative path: a file reference written in relation to its package rather than one absolute computer location, helping linked files survive moves and migrations. Reference.
Interoperability: the ability for data to move between tools, systems, or repositories without losing essential meaning or functionality. Reference.
Provenance: trace of where a file came from and how it changed through time. Reference.
Version: numbered snapshot of a file or package at a specific point in work. Reference.
Fixity: evidence that a file has not changed unexpectedly, usually checked through checksums or other integrity tests. Reference.
Rights statement: legal status and ownership declaration applied to a digital asset. Reference.
Access level: release status such as public, internal, or restricted. Reference.
FAIR: principles that make data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. Reference.
CARE: principles emphasizing collective benefit, authority to control, responsibility, and ethics. Reference.
DOI: persistent identifier used for stable publication and citation. Reference.