Web Technologies in a Nutshell - VRML
VRML plays same role to 3D worlds that HTML does to documents
VRML 1.0 has been widely available and specifies static 3D scenes through which you can navigate.
- Note can embed clickable URL's as with ImageMaps which can be used to annotate images to provide interactive resources
VRML 2.0 is now the standard with critical enhancements so that individual elements of 3D world are dynamic and can be programmed
- It is designed to support full interactivity with texture mapped video, avatars etc.
- Apply to virtual car-dealership / interactivity gaming or more academic uses such as collaboration between teachers and students in 3D virtual classroom
Bandwidth and computing needs of VRML are handicapping acceptance and appears that VRML will NOT “make it” -- replacement unclear but
- Microsoft ChromeEffects (XML based) and
- Java3D address some but not all VRML applications
- X3D is new XML based version of VRML (http://www.vrml.org/news/pr990210-content.html)