Scannade

Scannade is a term used in digital heritage and information science to describe the class of practices and outputs produced by high-resolution scanning of physical objects and spaces, and the ensuing creation of digital models and metadata. In practice, a scannade workflow covers acquisition, processing, and dissemination, yielding models that can be studied, archived, or displayed in virtual environments. The term is relatively new and is used variably across disciplines; it is not standardized by any single governing body.

Origins and usage: The word appears in scholarly and project documentation from the 2010s onward, particularly in European digital humanities, archaeology, and museum informatics networks. It is sometimes used synonymously with terms such as 3D scanning, photogrammetry, or laser scanning, though proponents reserve scannade for integrated workflows that emphasize data provenance and reproducibility.

Process and components: A typical scannade pipeline begins with data acquisition, employing laser scanners, structured-light systems, or photogrammetric capture. This is followed by data processing, including registration, noise reduction, meshing, and texture mapping, to produce a 3D model and associated textures. Metadata, provenance records, and licensing information are appended to facilitate reuse and long-term preservation. Outputs may be used for scholarly analysis, exhibition, or virtual reconstruction.

Applications and limitations: Scannade supports archaeology, cultural heritage preservation, architectural documentation, and digital exhibitions. Limitations include uneven data quality due to surface properties, large data sizes, equipment cost, and the need for disciplined metadata practices to ensure reproducibility.