Open Standards for Real-Time 3D Communication

 Web3D 2006 Symposium papers now online

Jul 31, 2006

The papers presented at the Web3D 2006 Symposium held on April 18-21, 2006, are now available for download. These papers cover a wide range of 3D web related topics, from behavior and semantics to applications in architecture and medicine, as well as evolving technologies such as 3D graphics on mobile devices.  They are available as individual PDFs.

 X3D Tech Talk at SIGGRAPH features 13 real-world presentations

Jul 25, 2006

The Web3D Tech Talk on Wednesday August 2nd from 3:30 - 5:30 PM in Exhibit Hall A will feature 13 real-world application presentations:

• Bitmanagement Software GmbH will demonstrate web and mobile based solutions.
• Demicron will features their NASA’s 3D Guide to the Galaxy and database-driven X3D.
• EDF R&D show how X3D is used and deployed safely and securely for more than 100,000 Windows and/or Linux computers.
• Flickertail Interactive will present their RawKee X3D plug-in for Autodesk’s Maya Complete and Maya Unlimited.
• L-3 Communications Link Simulation & Training (LINK) will show a simulation based training enterprise infrastructure.
• Media Machines will demonstrate web-based entertainment and e-commerce applications based on their award-winning FLUX player.
• NASA Langley Research Center will show their X3D work for advanced strategic analysis to support the Vision for Space Exploration.
• NPS will showcase research projects and tools including anti-terrorist harbor defense, underwater robot visualization, human motion capture, and the X3D Earth initiative.
• Octaga presents Adobe PDF support for X3D and shows X3D applications from the oil and gas industry.
• ProteinX3D transforms XML data from the Protein Data Bank into X3D visualizations for pharmaceutical engineering research.
• Sense Graphics will present their X3D haptics API.
• Vcom3D uses the X3D and H-Anim specifications to create highly interactive 3D Web-based instruction.
• Yumetech will demonstrate how to use X3D in your applications using two real world examples developed using the Java-based Xj3D running on Win, Mac OS X/Intel and inside Eclipse.

Be sure to also visit the Web3D Consortium Booth #223 at SIGGRAPH

 Web3D Consortium to deliver X3D Conformance Tests for reliable and robust 3D visualization

Jul 25, 2006

The Web3D Consortium is releasing the X3D Conformance Testing Program for the X3D Interchange Profile. The Conformance Testing Program is intended to promote consistent and reliable implementations of the X3D specification by many vendors across multiple platforms.  The Suite consists of 120 tests covering 12 components ranging from networking and rendering to animation and navigation. In order for a product to claim X3D conformance and use the X3D trademark, it must correctly and fully implement at least 95% of the discretionary tests, and 100% of all mandatory tests. This level of rigor will ensure developers and consumers can depend on the integrity and robustness of products featuring the X3D trademark. The Conformance Process Document is available now and describes the procedures for running the Conformance Test suite.  The Conformance Test Suite will be available for use on or before August 11, 2006.

 Boston Siggraph Summit to feature X3D in presentations of interactive digital media and high-perform

Jul 21, 2006

The Boston’s Siggraph Summit for the Media Grid, is an all-day, invitation-only event on ‘The Intersection of Digital Media and Supercomputing.’ Based on new and emerging distributed computational grid technologies, the Media Grid builds upon existing Internet and Web standards to create a unique network optimized for digital media delivery, storage, and processing.  The Summit will feature presentations by researchers and pioneers in the fields of interactive digital media and high-performance computing, including using real-time X3D on the Web (presented by MediaMachines).
July 30th, 2006, 9am - 3pm , City Hall, Boston MA (Curley Room/Iannella Chamber)

 SIGGRAPH 2006 Carto BOF agenda to feature X3D GeoVisualization

Jul 21, 2006

The agenda for the SIGGRAPH 2006 Carto BOF session, Wednesday, August 2, 2005, 2:00 - 3:00 PM, Room 203 will feature presentation from several members of the X3D Geospatial Working Group:

• “Update on ACM SIGGRAPH Carto Project Activities & IEEE CG&A Theme Issue
  on GeoVisualization” by Theresa-Marie Rhyne


• “Update of Geospatial rendering in Xj3D” by Alan Hudson
• “News Flash! Dangerous floating point bug bites cartographer!” by Chris
  Thorne
• “Participatory Cartography: Maps made by local experts - Google Maps &
  Google Earth” by Michael Jones

 Web3D 2006 Symposium tutorial slidesets now available

Jul 20, 2006

The slidesets from the Web3D 2006 Symposium are now available.  Tutorial slides include: X3D Language Features, Web3D Content Development: Lessons in Design and Theory, H-Anim and Creating Geo-Referenced 3D Cities Using COTS.  Tutorial slides are also available for Web3D 2005 Symposium.

 Blender 2.42 open source modeler with X3D export enhances materials and rendering

Jul 17, 2006

Blender is a leading open source modeling, animation and rendering suite for Win, Unixes and Mac OS X.  The new version 2.42 adds enhanced rendering, material support, mesh tools, and more. Blender includes a built-in X3D export. There is also a free BS Contact exporter.

 MOPET - a mobile fitness guide based on an X3D H-Anim virtual trainer

Jul 11, 2006

MOPET is a PocketPC-based application that uses a GPS device to monitor a user’s position and speed on outdoor fitness trails. It provides map-based navigation assistance, and speech instructions. It also offers motivation support and context-aware exercise demonstrations using an X3D H-Anim embodied virtual trainer. When the user approaches a fitness trail station, the GPS identifies the station, and a humanoid demonstrates how to correctly perform the exercise. A detailed paper and a very entertaining but informative WMV-format video demo are available.

 FLUX X3D browser goes open source

Jul 10, 2006

Media Machines has released the source code to the FLUX 3D platform under an open source license. FLUX allows developers and content creators to publish their interactive 3D animations, models and virtual worlds to a standard web browser.  Media Machines’ intent is to foster community development and market adoption of FLUX as a de facto implementation of X3D.

 NASA’s 3D Guide to the Galaxy lets you interactively explore the Milky Way galaxy on the Web using X

Jul 05, 2006

In The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams wrote “Space is big. Really big. You just won’t believe how vastly hugely mind-bogglingly big it is.” NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s PlanetQuest web site is providing visitors with a unique opportunity to interactively explore the mind-bogglingly big Milky Way galaxy using “plug in free” X3D technology in Demicron’s WireFusion. The platform-independent interactive 3D visualization and multimedia ”3D Guide” can be navigated in real-time over the Web without the need for any plug-ins or special downloads.