3D Data Practices and Preservation for Humanities: A Decade of the Consortium “3D for Digital Humanities”

For more than a decade (2014–2025), the Consortium “3D for Digital Humanities” has been advancing the use of 3D technologies in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) while structuring and supporting the research community. It now brings together more than 30 teams, primarily from academic research, but also increasingly from the cultural sector. Under its coordination, significant achievements have been realized, including best-practice guides, an infrastructure for the publication of 3D data, and dedicated software for documentation, dissemination, and archiving, as well as a metadata schema, all fully aligned with FAIR principles. The Consortium has developed national training programs, particularly on metadata and ethical practices, and contributed to important initiatives such as the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris, while actively engaging in European projects. It has also fostered international collaborations to broaden perspectives, share methodologies, and amplify impacts. Looking ahead (2025–2033), the Consortium aims to address the environmental impact of 3D data production and storage by proposing best practices for digital sustainability and efficiency. It is also expanding the National 3D Data Repository, enhancing interoperability, and adopting emerging standards to meet evolving scientific needs. Building on its past achievements, the Consortium intends to further advance 3D research and its applications across disciplines, positioning 3D data as a key component of future scientific data clouds.