Open Standards for Real-Time 3D Communication

With Siggraph 2008 behind us, one question on everyone’s mind is - Is Web3D really here?  And where does X3D fit in this evolution.

Need I say more… See the blogs and websites below. Draw your own conclusions, talk to us!

The August 2007 Siggraph exhibition gathered Web3D consortium members from around the world together to show their latest ISO standard X3D based application for social networking, 3D Medical imaging, scientific visualization and 3D education. This year Web3D had an exhibition booth twice the size as last year with half a dozen web3D company exhibitors. Read on:

It seems to me that the past two or three Siggraph’s were all about cool content and media entertainment. I mostly only saw tools for creating and managing (and converting) content. For one, just how many motion capture tools does the industry need?! I also saw the usual huge batch of competing modeling tools, training on how to make content, and many cute 3D animations. However, even though I talked to at least three other trade association involved in 3D one way or another, I did not see much in the way of “serious” 3D application tools or development. IBM and AvarSYS had one very cool demo on oil exploration and testing, but beyond that, I did not see any new CAD tools nor did I see much in the way of medical imaging, beyond Sense Graphics haptics tools in our booth, although I know they exist. It’s worth noting however that games and casual online entertainment are carrying the flag in the new digital content parade and that is something we should all be aware of and use to get X3D products some attention in the 3D markets. Even if only for marketing purposes, much of what Web3D members do can be shown and explored in a casual game for new clients to get a feel for what they will be buying or licensing. I for one, at least think it’s worth considering. Read on to see what I mean about how popular games are online…

With August here already, the one thing on everyone’s minds (and monitors and keyboards…) around here is Siggraph, starting on August 5th in San Diego.

See us, meet us, visit with us at SIGGRAPH 2007 - booth number 029 - on the exhibition floor. Don’t forget to ask for our newest 2007 SDK, debuting at Siggraph!

I often get questions on how to navigate thru Web3D.org and on such topics as to where to discuss X3D development and ask techy questions, where to post new software releases, how to get on the Web3D email lists and forums, etc. Well, most of your questions can be answered online directly on Web3D.org. Here’s how: