Running in parallel to the 3D capture, modelling and publication activities, the creation of metadata is essential to the success of the processing pipeline. The metadata created within the pipeline provides key information and context data to five key areas:
1. It describes in detail the artefact or monument which is being modelled in 3D and its provenance
2. It describes in detail the digital representation of the artefact or monument and its online location
3. It provides technical information and quality insurance on the processes and methods utilised in the digitisation and modelling of heritage objects
4. It provides information on the access, licensing and reuse of the created 3D models and any associated digital content
5. It enables the search, discovery and reuse of content through the mapping of metadata to aggregators e.g. Europeana Data Model (EDM)
