As a librarian I am always watching to see what’s new in the field or related fields, and being a normal every day human I missed the start something interesting (at least to me). In 2017 the Community Standards for 3D Data Preservation was formed. Now being a amateur 3D artist, an absolute fan of the medium, and a librarian discovering this group intrigued me. I had to stop and think about it…3D data has been around a long time now and I think this is the first time I have heard of anyone working to preserve the data. I know I did a post in the past about preserving defunct MMO games. (Copyright Office for Free Video Games), but this is an entirely different approach. These folks are preserving the 3D data itself regardless of the origin. Say a archeologist 3D scans a artifact, uses the model in their research, and then simply stores it in a file for future use or just forgets they have it after years go by. These folks are working to save such 3D digital models from the jaws of digital death, and provide a set of standards for keeping the models accessible to all in the future. Part archivist part 3D digital programmer part data salvager is quite the job description. Maybe some day we can tour a 3D / VR / AR digital museum full of the data they help to preserve. I know I would go – how about you?
P.S. New additions to the Free Stuff page: Indigenous Digital Archive: Treaties Explorer, LibriVox, Victorian Serial Novels.