X3D News Archive July 2004
Jul 30, 2004
X3DToolKit is a portable LGPL free C++ toolkit for loading, displaying and processing X3D models. The library is made up of three views of the X3D model: the X3D scene graph providing a simple translation of the file into a more usable data structure; an OpenGL API scene graph based upon nodes specialized in rendering; and the MESH scene graph providing fully customizable template winged-edge structures. The toolkit is also very extensible, for the X3D language as well as for the existing functionalities. Applications based on the library include an X3DViewer, X3DWorldCoordTranslator, X3DStats and X3DMeshEditor.
The new v1.0 features automatic loading of nodes fields that simplifies the creation of new nodes and enables X3D routes.
Jul 28, 2004
The X3D session on Thursday, 12 August at 8:30am-10:15am, room 501AB will feature:
- Universal Converter for Platform-Independent Procedural Shaders in X3D
- Procedural texturing is an unexplored topic in web graphics research. Procedural textures possess remarkable properties highly suitable for 3D web-based artistic or scientific virtual environments. This research focuses on real-time image synthesis for the web. - Feng Liu, G. Scott Owen and Ying ZhuGeorgia State University
- Rich-Media Procedural Texturing
- Procedural texturing is an unexplored topic in web graphics research. Procedural textures possess remarkable properties highly suitable for 3D web-based artistic or scientific virtual environments. This research focuses on real-time image synthesis for the web. - Goncalo Nuno Moutinho de Carvalho Cryogenic Graphics Ltd
Jul 28, 2004
The Programmable Shaders Working group will host a BOF at this year’s SIGGRAPH scheduled for Thursday at 15:00 in Room 505.
Current presentations include:
- How to convert shaders between different languages
- Implementation of the Shaders component in the ZGDV’s X3D suite
Other presentations are welcome. Contact c3099023NOSPAM@tees.ac.uk if you are interested in presenting (remove the NOSPAM from the email address)
Jul 21, 2004
Variational Shape Approximation produces simplified but highly accurate “meshes” representing 3D shapes. The meshes are orders of magnitude smaller than those produced by existing ways of handling such files but remain completely compatible with all widely used methods to display and use the information. The authors will present a paper at Siggraph Thursday August 12, 2004.
Jul 19, 2004
The productivity and efficiency of the preliminary design process for land development, urban, architectural and landscape design can be greatly enhanced using X3D simulations. The “X3D TOWER” lets you fly through a new architectural prototype. Future simulations willl add dynamic sceneries and animated interactive objects.
Jul 16, 2004
Xj3D is an open source API for developing an X3D and/or VRML 97 compliant browser. The new vM9 from Xj3D.org and the X3D source working group adds a native OpenGL renderer that is twice as fast as the Java3D version, and consumes significantly less memory. Other new features include: full support for the X3D immersive profile, a more user-friendly interface for the end-user, standalone browser application; a unified Elumens and stereoscopic device interface; a file converter for .wrl (VRML 97) to X3D encodings; batching for textures using the same URL; improvements to the Scripting Authoring Interface (SAI); and Java Webstart Support so you can embed Xj3D onto a webpage for auto-installation.
Jul 13, 2004
The first International Workshop on Web3D Technologies in Learning, Education and Training (LET-Web3D) will be held Sep 30-Oct 1 2004 in Udine, Italy. The conference seeks presentations discussing applications/issues/results about the usage of Web3D Technologies (e.g. X3D, VRML, MPEG4, OpenHSF, Java3D,...) in the contexts of education and training. The LET-WEB3D Workshop aims at providing a forum to discuss the challenges and potential solutions for effective combination of 3D environments, Web technologies, innovative user interfaces and pedagogical strategies. Papers ( 4-6 pages in PDF format) must be submitted by August 19, 2004 via the electronic submission system available at the Workshop Web Site..
The participation to the workshop is by invitation only. Invitation
is granted to everyone submitting a paper. Those who wish to participate without
submitting a paper are requested to send a one-page summary
that describes their work and interest in the topics of the workshop to
ranon@dimi.NOSPAMuniud.it by September 10th, 2004. (remove the NOSPAM)
Jul 12, 2004
Yumetech and Vcom3D are developing the H-Anim+ Browser API: a generic scheme for applying a vertex-skinning program to an H-Anim compliant model. The technical approach is to adapt the Xj3D Toolkit - a Java-based, open source API for creating VRML 97 and X3D applications - for the prototype H-Anim+ browser. Adopting open standards such as the X3D and H-Anim will reduce costs and ensure the longevity of applications involving human avatars.
General markets for this product to include military, law enforcement, emergency response units and the gaming industry.
Jul 06, 2004
FreeWRL is an open-source VRML and X3D browser written written for Unix/Linux and Mac OS/X workstations. This v1.07 release has some major code changes - full node sorting (and thus correct transparency), Javascript, EAI and various other sub-systems updates. RPMs are available for Suse, Mandrake and Fedora Linux, as is the source. The OS X release will be packaged shortly. Comments, as always, welcome.
Jul 01, 2004
New X3D demos that were created with Vizx3D (view using the Flux 1.2 player) are available. The six demos highlight different features of X3D like Movietextures, Environment mapping/Multitextures, high Polycount Scenes etc.
Jul 01, 2004
The new Octaga Producer is for post production supporting path animations of X3D models for walk thru/fly thru and fast rendering to video. The Octaga Exporter is an extended version of the built in VRML exporter in 3DS Max v.5 and v.6. The plug-in enables export of X3D and MPEG4 nodes in VRML for use with the Octaga products. It supports multi-texture, bump maps, environment maps, shell material and spray particle systems.
Octaga Producer is available for a 21-day evaluation. Octaga Exporter is available for a 3-day evaluation.
Jul 01, 2004
New features in v1.5.0 of the free Octaga (formerly Octagon Free Player) and Octaga Professional (formerly Octagon Player) include:
- experimental support for fragment- and vertex shaders
- support for Cubemap textures
- support for Constructive Solid Geometry through the SolidOp node
- improved lighting model using separate secondary color
- improved real-time shadow support
- improved layers
- improved GUI and an online user manual
- improved MPEG-4 synchronisation between audio, video and BIFS
Octaga Professional is available for a 21 day test drive.
Jul 01, 2004
Now available on Amazon:"Visualizing Information Using SVG and X3D: XML Based Technologies for the XML Based Web”
Chapter 1: SVG and X3D in the Context of the XML Family and the Semantic Web
Chapter 2: The Foundations of SVG
Chapter 3: X3D Fundamentals
Chapter 4: SVG as the Visual Interface to Web Services
Chapter 5: X3D Graphics, Java, and the Semantic Web
Chapter 6: Distributed User Interfaces: Toward SVG 1.2
Chapter 7: Publishing Paradigms for X3D
Chapter 8: Visualizing Complex Networks
Chapter 9: Applying SVG to Visualization of Chemical Structures and Reactions
Chapter 10: Using Metadata-based SVG and X3D Graphics in Interactive TV
Chapter 11: Knowledge Visualization Using Dynamic SVG Charts
Chapter 12: Using SVG to Visually Display Geo-Referenced XML
Chapter 13: Using Adobe Illustrator to Create Complex SVG Illustrations
Chapter 14: X3D-Edit Authoring Tool for Extensible 3D (X3D) Graphics
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