Open Standards for Real-Time 3D Communication

Sep 27, 2004

The XML and classic VRML encodings for the X3D specification, now in final draft approval stage by the International Standards Organization (ISO) are now available for download.  The Amendment One updates for X3D Shaders and the CAD extensions will be available for member review early October 2004.

Sep 21, 2004

MilkShape 3D is a popular OpenGL API-accelerated low-polygon modeler. It supports primitives and features the basic operations like select, move, rotate, scale, extrude, turn edge, subdivide and also allows low-level editing with the vertex and face tool. It also has skeletal animation capabilities so you can create morph target animations for game character models.  The MilkShape X3D exporter exports X3D models and support the Humanoid Animation (H-Anim) standard for character animation.

Sep 20, 2004

X3DToolKit is a portable LGPL free C++ toolkit for loading, displaying and processing X3D models. The latest v1.01 release improves computation of normals. X3DToolKit features include:

• Edition, parsing and processing the X3D scene graph with OpenGL accelerated display
• Translation of the scene meshes into a winged-edge topological data structure
• Support for seamless extension of the X3D language and the design of extended processors

The library is available for Linux, Windows (.NET 2003 and Visual Studio 6) and Mac OS X.

Sep 17, 2004

The WebSim Partnership—OMG, OGC, SISO, and Web3D — are co-hosting this Second Annual Workshop on Web Enabled Modeling and Simulation to be held at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA from October 12 to 15, 2004. The workshop will bring together world experts in web-enabled modeling and simulation for presentations and panel discussions.

Centered on the WebSim Partnership’s vision of Modeling and Simulation components participating in an integrated system of systems using web technologies and infrastructure, the workshop will include four keynotes by industry notables, separate tutorials on the technology of each partner organization, and three days of presentations and panel discussions. Sessions will cover Modeling Methodology, Composability, and Applications; topics covered include agent technology in simulation, healthcare applications, ontologies, and architectures and much more. A Demonstration Day will feature demonstrations of web-based Modeling and Simulation. The program will wrap up on Friday with a panel discussion on how the WebSim Partners’ organizations can implement the lessons learned to increase modeling and simulation activity on the web.

Sep 02, 2004

PSPad is a free professional editor for programming that supports many file types and languages, with syntax highlighting.  It also supports an integrated HEX Editor, projects, FTP, macro recorder, templates, and a code explorer. The new v4.3.1 adds syntax highlighting and autocomplete for X3D. Macro-dialogs will follow.

Sep 01, 2004

The Golden Polygon Awards recognize the best real-time & interactive 3D content. Submit your X3D content in one of the 4 categories: Walkthrough, Rich Media, Product Tours, Simulation. Deadline is October 31, 2004.