X3D News Archive Permalink
May 20, 2009
The fourteenth annual International Web3D Symposium, to be held at Fraunhofer IGD in Darmstadt, Germany from June 15-17, 2009, will celebrate a decade of innovation and interoperability through the Extensible 3D (X3D) Standard.
The Symposium will showcase Web3D Consortium’s standard X3D, the only open, royalty-free and ISO-certified technology available today for interactive 3D graphics on the World Wide Web. Use of X3D systems has increased steadily throughout the world, delivering durable applications in industry, science, medicine, culture, entertainment and education. Indeed, worlds and scenarios authored over ten years ago still run today and are faster than ever.
X3D systems have a proven track record of protecting content and have the process in place to support projects that require their content lifetime to exceed 50 years. Because X3D is a direct evolution of Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML), there are models over a decade old that run in the newest X3D players. It is not necessary to excavate the original 3D players to run that content. The business value - the virtual world content - survived, and the investment was protected. The open nature of the Web3D languages protects the content and the rights of the business.
Come see these innovative X3D systems and learn how to protect your 3D content investment for a lifetime. To register for the 2009 Web3D Symposium please visit: http://www.web3d2009.org/registration. X3D systems will also be demonstrated at SIGGRAPH 2009 in New Orleans, USA. Join the Web3D Consortium and become a part of this evolving standard.To join, visit us at: http://www.web3d.org/membership/join.
X3D_for_a_Lifetime_Press_Release.pdf
The Web goes 3D – Bitmanagement releases ISO Standard Viewer “BS Contact 7.2 Web 3D”
May 20, 2009
The Web goes 3D – Bitmanagement releases ISO Standard Viewer BS Contact 7.2 Web 3D
Bitmanagement, a leading technology provider of interactive Web 3D software announced the new release of their 3D viewer product BS Contact 7.2 Web 3D. You can now have interactive 3D content online in all major browsers (IE, Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome and Opera). BS Contact has been a stable 3D viewer for over 15 years. BS Contact 7.2 has 25 new features including cascading shadows and post processing along with a rich programming API and tools such as BS Encrypt. This 3D viewer is available for download at Bitmanagement.
May 19, 2009
Metaverse U Conference will be held at Stanford University, CA from May 29-30, 2009. The purpose of this conference is to define a strategy for advancing open source platforms and explore their potential in a broad variety of contexts, including scientific research, education, private enterprise, and cultural programming. The Metaverse U conference will explore the cutting edge applications of virtual worlds and the open platforms that drive them. There will be a free live video stream during the conference. For more information please visit: http://metaverse.stanford.edu
May 06, 2009
With significant improvements in performance with larger CAD models, Octaga has met the challenge of visualizing complex models by incorporating innovative 3D graphics technologies in their recently released Octaga Player 2.3.0.4.
The new version is now capable of displaying more than 30 million polygons with the same performance.
Other improvements in Octaga Player 2.3.0.4 include:
• Improved performance on animations
• Improved collision detection
• Improved support for advanced shaders through the RenderBuffer node
• New script methods for improved interactivity
This version enhances the overall usability of the player. New improvements also include the visual impact of interactive presentations, with sharper and brighter
images. The higher frame rate and improved functionalities in the viewer allow a wider range of model sizes and complexity.
Octaga Player 2.3.0.4 is free for personal use only. A GoPro version is available for only 49 € at www.octaga.com.
For more information email: sales@octaga.com or call +47 99 30 03 33
May 05, 2009
Early Registration ends May15, 2009
14th International Symposium on 3D Web Technology
June 16 - 17, 2009 hosted by Fraunhofer IGD, Darmstadt, Germany - Sponsored by ACM SIGGRAPH -In cooperation with Eurographics and Web3D Consortium.
To register please visit: http://www.web3d2009.org/registration.
The annual Web3D Symposium is a major event, which unites researchers, developers, experimenters, and content creators in a dynamic learning environment. Attendees share and explore methods of using, enhancing, and creating new 3D web and multimedia technologies, such as X3D, VRML, COLLADA, Croquet, MPEG4, Java3D, and Canvas3D.
General Chairs: Dieter Fellner, Ph.D. TU Darmstadt, Fraunhofer IGD and Alexei Sourin, Ph.D. Nanyang Technological University.
Program Chairs: Johannes Behr, Ph.D.Fraunhofer IGD and Krzysztof Walczak, Ph.D. Poznan University.
May 04, 2009
MeshLab an open source, portable, and extensible system for the processing and editing of unstructured 3D triangular meshes has added X3D import and export and VRML import support. The system is aimed to help the processing of the typical not-so-small unstructured models arising in 3D scanning, providing a set of tools for editing, cleaning, healing, inspecting, rendering and converting this kind of meshes.
Apr 27, 2009
The Web3D Consortium is pleased to announce that The Consulting Network, Inc. (TCNI) has joined the Web3D Consortium as an organizational member to assist in developing and promoting the X3D specification.
TCNI has joined the Web3D Consortium to participate in X3D development to leverage the use of open standards in their products. Through the incorporation of X3D technologies TCNI plans to bring innovative product delivery to our military and commercial customers, and help address issues typically seen in legacy solutions.
TCNI is a 100% Veteran-owned business that was established in 1996 as a systems and software engineering firm. TCNI works closely with our military and commercial customers to address real world problems with low risk, cost effective solutions. EdgeService is TCNI’s flagship product that provides an innovative enterprise implementation to address complex geospatial system or system-of-systems challenges. As part of the EdgeService enterprise solution, TCNI is working with customers to explore next generation product delivery, such as the X3D based datasets, and their potential applications and benefits to end users.
The Consortium warmly welcomes TCNI and is looking forward to working closely with them to improve X3D’s functionality and conformance.
Feb 26, 2009
Web3D Consortium members and guest are cordially invited to participate in our Members/Outreach meeting, to be held at NASA Ames Research Center - Bldg 943 Eagle Room in Moffett Field, California on Wednesday March 4th 2009 from Noon to 5:30 PM.
The meeting will feature presentations by Web3D technologists and members of the Web3D Consortium, and a X3D Plugfest. Our invited guest speaker is Jay Cee Straley from Sprint, who will present us his insight on Web3D technology and standards for the mobile platform.
There is no charge for members and invited guests to attend. Lunch and light refreshments will be provided.
If you wish to attend or need more information please contact Web3D Executive Director anita.havele@web3d.org.
Web3D Consortium members are also invited to participate in our next X3D Earth Working Group meeting, to be held at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in Moss Landing, California on Thursday and Friday, March 5th and 6th 2009. More information is available at: X3D-Earth Working Group Meeting.
Player and Tool support for X3D components
Feb 10, 2009
The Extensible 3D (X3D) Graphics standard has many capabilities. X3D components are modular collections of nodes that make it easier for software to gradually implement the full range of X3D capabilities. Authors can also indicate what components are needed in an X3D scene in order to ensure that proper support is provided at run time.
The Player table records support for the official X3D components by each of the various X3D Players.
The Tool table records support for the official X3D components by each of the various X3D authoring tools and X3D conversion tools.
These tables are maintained by the X3D Working Group and member companies in the Web3D Consortium.
The X3D Resources page also provides lots of additional information about X3D.
Please Contact Web3D Consortium if you want to learn more or report an update.
X3D-Earth Working Group Meeting - Call for Participation
Feb 07, 2009
Web3D Consortium members are cordially invited to participate in our next X3D Earth Working Group meeting, to be held at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in Moss Landing, California on Thursday and Friday, March 5th and 6th 2009. Attendance is open to Web3D Consortium Members, and invited guests, and is subject to the predeclaration, safe-haven requirements of the Web3D Consortium Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy. Preference will be given to those who have submitted short papers offering solutions to the two nascent problems the working group has identified:
Problem #1: Requirement for a single GeoOrigin.
Problem #2: Requirement for sequential chain of quad-tree terrain tiles with GeoLOD.
About X3D Earth
X3D Earth’s vision is to make it easier to create and use 3D spatial data. Our mission is to promote
spatial data use within X3D via open architectures. Web site: http://web3d.org/x3d-earth
Points of Contact
Don Brutzman, NPS MOVES Institute, 831-656-2149, brutzman@nps.navy.mil
Mike McCann, MBARI, 831-775-1769, mccann@mbari.org
Anita Havele, Web3D Consortium, 248-342-7662, anita.havele@web3d.org
More information is available at: X3D-Earth Meeting 2009
Jan 27, 2009
The Web3D Consortium announces that The MITRE Corporation’s Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) has joined the Web3D Consortium as a Directing Member to assist in developing and maturing the X3D specification. MITRE works in the public interest by operating Federally-Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) for the U.S. Department of Defense, the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as the Internal Revenue System and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. FFRDCs address long-term problems of considerable complexity, analyze technical questions with a high degree of objectivity, and provide creative and cost-effective solutions to government problems.
By joining Web3D as a Directing Member, MITRE intends to take an active role in maturing X3D as the ISO standard that integrates delivery of real-time 3D graphics with the power of XML on the Web. Significant MITRE work includes creating dynamic data-driven 3D visualizations of the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) to extend the situational awareness of air traffic analysts and improve flight safety, both in the air and on the ground. MITRE is researching and demonstrating ways to integrate X3D within a NAS-like infrastructure for use by analysts (non-programmers) to visually portray their inquiry and analysis results. The research specifically enables these capabilities via Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) technologies, specifically employing an Enterprise Service Bus (ESB).
More information available at: MITRE Press Release
Jan 05, 2009
The Edusim project is bringing 3D virtual learning environments into the classroom by leveraging Open source Cobalt and the classroom interactive whiteboard for direct manipulation of 3D virtual learning worlds. Edusim is a slimmed down verion of the core Open Cobalt Metaverse Project. Cobalt - Edusim is a 3D multi-user virtual world platform and authoring toolkit intended for your classroom interactive whiteboard (but equally powerful on the students laptop or desktop computers !). Cobalt - Edusim has been tested and works on the Smartboard, Activeboard, Interwriter, Polyvision, Mimio, eBeam, and even the Wiimote Whiteboard. Edusim is extendable allowing multiple classrooms to connect their interactive whiteboards for collaborative learning session.
Dec 10, 2008
SenseGraphics is proud to announce the availability of SenseGraphics H3DAPI version 2.0. SenseGraphics H3DAPI is used for the development of simulator- and other multi-modal applications using force-feedback devices from SensAble, ForceDimension, Moog and Novint. Since its introduction to the public in 2005, the H3DAPI has been used by companies, universities and research institutes to create or add the simulation of touch to their applications. Built on the industry standards OpenGL and X3D, H3DAPI enables rapid application development using X3D and Python alone. More major projects have been developed by extending H3DAPI capabilities with C++. The improved H3DAPI 2.0 now builds on the haptics engine HAPI which grants users more freedom and control in haptics rendering. Users can choose from more haptics renderers, including SensAbleâ s OpenHaptics, Chai3D, and H3D point and sphere-based renderers.
Dec 03, 2008
Web3D Consortium is announcing its first SIGGRAPH Asia 2008 participation (Dec 10-13) in Singapore.
Web3D Consortium will extend the horizons of innovation and excellence in 3D graphics to the Asian community. This year the consortium celebrates its 10th anniversary with a bigger presence in the 3D graphics industry. Visit them in the Machinima Booth #D12 and see the progress of this evolving standard and X3D/VRML innovations. While in Singapore Web Consortium will also be presenting at VRCAI 2008, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Machinima Symposium.
Come visit us in Singapore and find out how you can use X3D for your real-time 3D graphics needs! A week full of events showcasing X3D technology.
VRCAI - Dec 8-9
NUS and NTU - Dec 9
SIGGRAPH Asia conference - Dec 10-13 - Booth #D12
SIGGRAPGH Asia Web3D Tech Talk = Dec 11, 4:00 to 6:00 PM
SIGGRAPH Asia Tutorial ”X3D for Authors” - Dec 13 - 1:00 to 4:00 PM
Machinima Symposium - Dec 13 - 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Nov 19, 2008
This book is devoted to both SVG and X3D as a new and universal means of visualizing information. It presents the state-of-the-art research emerging in this novel area and introduces SVG and X3D fundamentals and leading authoring tools. The key topics covered include: - The foundations of SVG and X3D - Data, information, knowledge and network visualization - Advanced and distributed user interfaces - Visualizing metadata and the Semantic Web - Visual interfaces to Web services - New trends and paradigms in publishing and Interactive TV - Displaying geographically referenced data and chemical structures - Advanced use of Adobe Illustrator and X3D-Edit authoring tools This book will be essential reading not only for researchers, Web developers and graduate students but also for undergraduates and everyone who is interested in using the next-generation computer graphics on their websites.
Purchase this book now!
Oct 31, 2008
OCTAGA ENTERPRISE 2.2 a VRML/X3D player! Now includes the functionality of Octaga Professional and much more…
Octaga Enterprise is the ultimate tool for the interactive visualization of large and complex models through an intuitive, user-friendly 3D interface.
Compliant to ISO X3D and ISO 15926 it’s a tool for unlimited access to 3D enterprise data for use in operations, training and simulation. Delivering best of breed CAD visualization solutions for Plant, Subsea, Aerospace, Marine and other industries utilizing CAD data for design, Octaga Enterprise Suite is a leading tool for presenting environments which aren’t easily accessible. Octaga Enterprise creates value from enterprise CAD data by presenting models in a clear, intuitive, user friendly manner within a life-like environment. Utilizing Octaga technology, owners, operators and engineers can now realize their 3D CAD models.
OCTAGA ENTERPRISE ONLINE SEMINAR
Octaga is holding two online seminars to demonstrate the power of Octaga Enterprise
Europe/Middle East/Africa – Wednesday 5th November 10 am GMT+1 REGISTER HERE
Americas – Thursday 6th November 17:00 GMT +1 REGISTER HERE
Oct 27, 2008
Blender 2.48a release, a free open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems adds VRML and X3D import scripts along with several bug fixes especially for using the Game Engine and GLSL.
Geospatial X3D Earth component support for FreeWRL Version 1.21.0 and above
Oct 22, 2008
The FreeWRL X3D Viewer team is proud to announce Geospatial X3D Earth component support for FreeWRL Version 1.21.0 and above.
This effort was supported by the Intelligence Advanced Research Project Agency for the Analyst for Exploration (A-SpaceX) Program via the MOVES institute, and will encourage use of X3D Earth standards.
FreeWRL is an open source project, and runs on the Apple OSX and Linux operating systems, and is freely available. Management and development support is provided by the Communications Research Center, Canada.
FreeWRL is available at sourceforge.
Tutorial on Web3D Open Standard X3D at SIGGRAPH Asia 2008
Oct 20, 2008
SIGGRAPH Asia attendees don’t miss this opportunity to learn about Web3D technologies and the open standard X3D at SIGGRAPH Asia in Singapore on Saturday, 13 December 2008. Don Brutzman, founder of the Web3D Consortium and author of “X3D: Extensible 3D Graphics for Web Authors” will be offering a tutorial on Interactive Introduction to X3D Graphics. Extensible 3D (X3D) graphics is the open standard for 3D real-time communication on the web. X3D defines scene files that integrate network-enabled 3D graphics and multimedia. X3D applications are real-time, interactive, animated systems that can run stand-alone or in networked virtual environments.
This tutorial focuses on the primary functionality of X3D including scene authoring, creation of geometry, web capabilities, designing animation chains, and user interaction. Specific topics include animation design using interpolators and sequencers. The tutorial briefly examines embedded scripting, prototypes for extensibility, and various visualisation examples. Attendees learn hands-on how to build an X3D world, and they have access to the latest X3D Showcase DVD, which contains a wide variety of free and commercial viewers, authoring tools, and example content.
Web3D Consortium will also be there at SIGGRAPH Asia in Singapore, we’ll have a both with our new member DreamAxis of Singapore plus a Tech Talk and several group meetings as well. Details coming soon…Exciting new opportunities. Hope to see you there!
3D-Tool v8.5 Released to Communicate and Coordinate CAD-Data
Oct 17, 2008
3D-Tool, a professional CAD-Viewer which provides a wide range of functionality to dynamically display and analyze 3D-models and to view 2D-drawings announces the availability of its 3D-Tool version 8.5. 3D-Tool is more than just a viewer. 3D-Tool enables all members of the project team, and external parties such as customers and suppliers, to dynamically check and evaluate your CAD models. The new version 8.5 offers multiple strategies for publishing and distributing CAD models to anyone inside or outside of your company.
Oct 17, 2008
Halloween is coming and it’s time to be creepy and creative!
Shapeways, a leading global community for DIY 3D design and production is proud to announce a new, high-resolution Black Detail (Objet) color for their customers. Perfect for Halloween you can now use this new black detail color to create the scariest of designs with brilliant accuracy using one of the highest resolution design media available. In celebration of Halloween the new Black Detail material is available at an introductory rate of only $.0.97 per cm3 (66.6% below the regular price) until October 19th, shipping and tax included.
Black Detail (Objet) is the latest of the detail materials already offered by Shapeways and their cost-effective, DIY printing service. Other additional materials include White Strong & Flexible (SLS), Cream Robust (FDM), White Detail and Transparent Detail (Objet). Simply upload a new or existing three dimensional mode in STL, Collada or X3D, to Shapeways at http://www.shapeways.com, and the custom produced model will arrive in just a few short days, globally. Orders placed by October 19th will be delivered, just in time for Halloween.
Oct 17, 2008
view3dscene is a browser for VRML (1.0 and 2.0) and X3D, and a viewer for other 3D model formats (3DS, MD3, Wavefront OBJ, and Collada). It supports viewing the scene in the “Examine” mode and walking in the virtual world with features such as collision detection and gravity. Rendering is done using OpenGL. A built-in ray-tracer allows the generation of images with more effects (like shadows and mirrors) and conforming precisely to the VRML 97 lighting specification. The program can also convert files from 3DS, MD3, and other formats to VRML and pretty-print VRML files.
Oct 16, 2008
VRML veterans like, Web3D Consortium member Tony Parisi last month marked the tenth anniversary of the language’s first commercial implementation. And after a decade of waiting for a computer graphics Godot, they’re used to encountering scepticism when they herald the imminent emergence of Web 3D.
Bodies littering the Web 3D landscape include that of Microsoft’s Chromeffects effort (shelved in 1998), Adobe’s Atmosphere title (killed in November), and Intel and Macromedia’s joint venture to popularise Shockwave 3D on the Web (which dissolved along with other Intel Web 3D alliances).
In 10 years of turmoil and tried patience, both VRML and Parisi have changed. VRML, after achieving ISO standardisation, in recent years has been reborn, under the auspices of the Web3D Consortium, as an XML-based ISO standard called X3D. Parisi has kept the Web 3D religion with a San Francisco start-up called Media Machines now (Vivaty), whose clients include the US Navy and Joe Firmage’s ManyOne portal.
Oct 13, 2008
If mere texting, talking, e-mailing and snapping pictures on mobile devices aren’t enough to satisfy your data cravings, now there’s the prospect of accessing and displaying 3-D virtual reality simulations and animations on them. New information architecture from researchers in Offenburg, Germany puts 3-D visualizations in the palm of your hand to make this possible.
By devising a novel information and communication architecture with optics technology, researchers created a new approach based on outsourcing to servers all the heavy number crunching required by computer animations and virtual reality simulations. After churning through it, the servers then provide the information either as stream (avi, motion JPEG) or as vector-based data (VRML, X3D) displayable as 3-D on mobile devices. Dan Curticapean and his colleagues Andreas Christ and Markus Feisst of Offenburg’s University of Applied Science devised the approach.
Since the processing power of mobile phones, smart phones and personal digital assistants is increasing—along with expansion in transmission bandwidth—it occurred to us that it is possible to harness this power to create 3-D virtual reality,” says Curticapean. “So we designed a system to optimize and send the virtual reality data to the mobile phone or other mobile device.”
Oct 13, 2008
Bruce Lehmann, Founder and Administrator of WBandD a community for virtual world builders promotes VRML and X3D.
With the Blaxxun Free Server going down and possibly not coming back, and the advent of new multi-user ideas. WBandD is for those who build, and develop in VRML/X3D to share worlds and ideas. Right now there is a large interest in 3D and Virtual Worlds and VRML/X3D are the original platforms. An open standard with ease of use. It is a fairly easy to learn method when compared to some of the other platforms. It is a friendly format, meaning that it is a fairly common saving/exporting convention in most 3D modeling programs, which means that you’re not locked into a proprietary format or in-world building. And as an ISO Standard, it has support and specification availability.
Oct 09, 2008
Thanks to Don Brutzman author of “X3D for Web Authors”, Jeff Malnick and Jeff Weekley of NPS, we now have course videos for 35 course-lesson for chapters 1-8 of this book. These video podcasts are available at: X3dForWebAuthors
Don Brtuzman and his team expect to finish the remaining chapters 9-14 in November 2008 and are placing new lectures online several times each week. This complements the full set of course notes and examples, already available at:
http://x3dgraphics.com/slidesets
http://X3dGraphics.com/examples/X3dForWebAuthors
We hope these resources help to encourage teaching and learning X3D.
Sep 24, 2008
Anark Corporation, the leading provider of automated 3D CAD transformation and visualization solutions, will exhibit at Collaborative Product Development Associates PLM Road Map 2008. Anark will demonstrate the recently released Anark Core Platform version 2.0. This version provides users with expanded conversion, transformation, and automation capabilities to cost-effectively prepare 3D product design data for visualization, simulation, CAE, and supply-chain data-exchange applications. Version 2.0 also provides users with the ability to automate 3D product geometry and structure modification, and then export revised product data into high-precision B-rep and lightweight mesh formats including SolidWorks®, Inventor®, ACIS®, CATIA® V4/V5, Parasolid®, STEP, NX (formerly Unigraphics), IGES, COLLADA, DWF, X3D, and VRML.
Sep 18, 2008
Whether or not Second Life is the platform of our future, if you’re attending conferences like NECC and listening to academicians, 3D virtual worlds USED WELL can reach people with special needs and learning differences who were struggling to reach everywhere.
With two scripted objects currently under development designed specifically for the visually impaired: EVA (an screen readin g tool) benefits visually impaired users and Virtual Ability to help with Virtual Ability, a Colorado-based startup is developing products to assist people with different type of disabilities to utilize Second Life.
Exit Reality - Launch ‘The entire web in 3D!’
Sep 18, 2008
Satisfying widespread curiosity and - hopefully - high expectations, Exit Reality - tagline ‘The entire web in 3D!’ was launched Sept 17, 2008. You can now view, interact and chat with fellow attendees in the Exit Reality Plaza. From there you can explore the millions of worlds online and decorate your own webspace in 3D.
Real time chat functionality connecting people visiting the same websites.
Standards: VRML - Virtual Reality Modeling Language, which is X3D’s ancestor.
Automatically convert Web 2D to VRML. Special designed templates for popular websites.
To visit the ExitReality Plaza in 3D, go to Exit Reality. If you have not installed the ExitReality plug-in before, you will be asked to do so in order to enter. If you have previously installed our Private Beta version, you will be asked to upgrade to the all new version.
Aug 15, 2008
Octaga, provider of visually stunning realization software and services to over 1 million users, announce the launch of a new version of their X3D/VRML viewer, Octaga Player 2.3 (beta). This new and improved version of the software is promoted at SIGGRAPH in connection with the Web3D Consortium, where the attendees will be among the first to experience the new Octaga Player. Octaga has provided leading edge 3D realization software since 2001, and since its inception Octaga software has gained over 1 million users in industries utilizing X3D/VRML & CAD data, including the AEC, MCAD and Oil & Gas markets.
Octaga Player 2.3 (beta) supersedes and includes all the functionality of Octaga Professional. However, and remarkably, Octaga player is still a free 3D viewer. Designed to comply with industry standards, Octaga Player offers a multiplatform solution with unrivaled functionality for X3D/VRML users. Octaga Player 2.3 boasts a new engine, a new and improved GUI and redesigned navigation for a smoother user experience. In addition it includes many new ‘GO PRO’ features, such as video rendering, the = ability to create and export viewpoints and walkthroughs. Octaga Player 2.3 will also serve as the free CAD viewer for models from Octaga’s flagship product, Octaga Enterprise.
Octaga Player can be seamlessly integrated in web pages, as well as in PDF and Microsoft Office documents. You can find more information here.
Aug 13, 2008
Take a break from the show floor and come to our TECH TALK, today (Aug 13) at 3:30 pm in HALL G Room 1, followed by a X3D raffle drawing and reception.
See our X3D innovators show off their latest real-world 3D applications and content, and find out how you can use X3D for your 3D graphic needs. Collect your own DVD with X3D Resources and start creating X3D Content NOW!
Participate in our X3D RAFFLE with prizes like, Octaga‘s RAD KIT and Bitmanagement’s BS SDK Packet, Yumetech’s 3-day X3D authoring training and more…
Visit us in our Booth #139. More information at Web3d at SIGGRAPH.
Don’t miss it. See you there!
Fraunhofer IGD releases Beta5 at SIGGRAPH 2008
Aug 11, 2008
Fraunhofer IGD releases Beta5 of InstantReality at SIGGRAPH 2008
The instantReality Framework is a VR/AR system which uses a superset of X3D as application description language to ease the development process. It supports a wide number of different devices and clustering utilizing OpenSG and OpenGL for rendering. It supports the full X3D ISO standard, GLSL shader and ECMAScript. External interfaces are available for JAVA and .NET programmers. The whole system is available on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Highlights of this release are PRT-rendering, 64-bit-support and InstantIO.
The release also includes major and minor bugfixes.
More details available at: Changelog
Updated documentation and new tutorials can be found at Labs
Visit Fraunhofer at Siggraph and see their demos in the Web3d Consortium booth #139.
Register Today for Web3D Symposium and SIGGRAPH 2008
Aug 05, 2008
Greetings all!
We would like to welcome all attendees to the Web3D 2008 Symposium and SIGGRAPH 2008.
We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend at the Symposium and the following week at SIGGRAPH for another great year of Web3D innovation and evolution!
This year Web3D 2008 Symposium is co-sponsored by ACM SIGGRAPH and co-located at SIGGRAPH 2008 in Los Angeles, CA. If you have not yet registered, it’s not too late. Registration information is available at Web3D Symposium Registration
More information on Web3D Consortium events at SIGGRAPH and Web3D Symposium is available at www.web3d.org
Aug 05, 2008
Web3D Consortium members will demostrate X3D technology in booth 139 at SIGGRAPH 2008. Meet these innovators and see how you can use X3D for your 3D graphics needs.
Experience the brand new Octaga Enterprise suite which is Octaga’s most advanced 3D visualization solution. Octaga Enterpriser supports ISO15926\X3D\OMX\IFC\MCAD\PMS\PDMS file formats and was chosen by Shell as their 3D visualization solution to support the maintenance of the Ormen Lange Gas field processing plant. Also see a wide range of Octaga’s 3D simulations and corporate presentations.
A quality leap hand in hand with a substantial cost reduction in the 3D city model domain will be demonstrated by Bitmanagement. Textured 3D models of complete cities at a resolution of 4 inch (10 cm) per pixel can be constructed automatically within days and visualized with the highly performing BS Contact GeoVRML/X3D viewer interactively on the web. The 3D city models showcased can be integrated in many applications ranging from online search engines to embedded automotive navigation- and entertainment systems.
Be amazed by the augmented reality demonstration by Fraunhofer using precomputed radiance transfer to simulate reflection of surrounding real light on the virtual object that is merged into the real scene. The object thus reacts to changes of the real lighting situation.
Yumetech will be showcasing applications developed using its Xj3D and ChefX3D toolkits. These Open Source libraries provide the X3D support for many real time 3D applications. Come see several new applications being developed using these toolkits including domain specific editors for mass market 3D printing.
Meet our Consortium team and see how you can become a part of this evolving standard.
Aug 04, 2008
This project, developed by the Web3D Consortium through a generous grant from TATRC enables the volume visualization of medical images within an X3D browser from CT, MRI and other medical imaging devices which output the DICOM standard file format . It also provides resources for tool, content and application developers to incorporate this new functionality of X3D within their product through the creation of a MedX3D profile of the X3D specification, X3D metadata links to the SNOMED CT and FMA anatomic ontologies and import/export libraries in C++ and Visual Basic.
Michael Aratow, MD, FACEP, co-chair of the Medical Working Group, was the Principal Investigator on the project and Nigel John, PhD acted as consultant. Through a competitive proposal process within the Consortium membership, Media Machines, Inc. ,and SenseGraphics AB and VirtuWorlds LLC and Yumetech, Inc. were awarded funding to perform the specific tasks.
TATRC Project Deliverables
The following files developed by the Web3D Consortium are made freely available for unlimited use:
Introduction and Use Cases. This is a brief description of the DICOM standard and how it can be used with X3D. There are also clinical use cases for 3D images listed that were developed in collaboration with the DICOM standards group.
Import and Export SDK (.exe). This file is an SDK that contains import and export libraries and documentation for third party developers who want to work with the MedX3D platform. The library infrastructure is based on COM and there are two test harness applications using Visual Basic and C++. The C++ test harness application shows how the API can be used to import and interrogate an X3D file by displaying the node hierarchy of the contents in a GUI tree window. The test harness then programmatically adds content to the scene, and exports the result, thus illustrating the ability to programmatically generate X3D content. The development of the Import/Export Library utilized the Flux X3D-based engine.
X3D Metadata Links to SNOMED CT and FMA (.doc). This report describes the methodology and examples for mapping X3D files with SNOMED CT and the FMA, the two leading anatomical ontologies.
MedX3D 0.6 (.zip). This is the MedX3D browser and accompanying documentation. This browser is based on the X3D standard and the draft volume rendering component. It can be used as a standalone application or as a plugin for Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera. The standalone application can import raw DICOM files. The current version is only supported in computers running the Windows operating system.
Web3D Consortium at SIGGRAPH 2008
Jul 30, 2008
SIGGRAPH 2008 the biggest graphics industry gathering is only a few days away! and Web3D Consortium is geared up to showcase innovative X3D content and applications and wow the 3D graphics community. This year, the consortium celebrates its 10th anniversary with a bigger presence in the 3D graphics industry. We will have our best ever tech talk with over 10 presenters showcasing their innovations. Attend our informative Tutorials and Bofs. Take a break from the show floor and join us at our reception and network with leading Web3D technologist. Vist our booth (#139) and meet our member companies and see their X3D product demos. A must attend event!!! SEE YOU AT SIGGRAPH 2008.
Member Sponsors: Bitmanagement, Fraunhofer, Naval Postgraduate School, Vivaty and Yumetech.
More information at: Web3D at SIGGRAPH 2008
Web3D Showcase 2008 - Call for Submission
Jul 29, 2008
Web3D Showcase 2008
Sunday August 10: 7:30 pm
LA Convention Center Room 406 A+B
Call for Submissions
An annual favorite @ Web3D is the demo Showcase night: content developers and software producers take the stage for a whirlwind tour of the latest Web3D features and destinations. This year will be no exception!
Following the Symposium Buffet dinner on Sunday, conference attendees and SIGGRAPH invitees will reconvene in the large room for an exciting evening’s entertainment.
The timing of demo slots depends on submissions, but you can expect approximately 5 minutes of live time. With a live microphone and video projection line you can showcase the latest capabilities your Web3D system(s)! All real-time web-based 3D applications are welcome: art, science, engineering, culture and entertainment.
To get a slot in the Showcase lineup, please fill out the form below as soon as possible:
Showcase Submission Form
More information available at Web3D Symposium
Jul 25, 2008
ShapeWays allows budding artists, product designers and amateurs to use their own tools to create 3-D models. Shapeways helps users import and modify designs made by popular 3D modeling software; currently accepted formats include STL, Collada, X3D. They use a technique called ‘3D Printing’, a high-quality production technique which turns your 3D design into a reality 3-D model.
Jul 22, 2008
Come join X3D vendors at the Web3D Symposium on Aug 9 from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm in testing X3D browser interoperability.
X3D content authors bring your favorite content to help improve browsers. Talk with X3D Browser Implementers and learn how to get your content viewing across all browsers.
This event will test how browsers are playing the same content. Bring your content to help improve browsers. Spec authors and browser implementors will be here to debate the finer points of the X3D specification and to defend their interpretations. Coming from the event we’ll have a better understanding of what content works right between browsers and where the spec and implementations need more work.
Presubmitted content will receive priority. We expect that we will run out time so presubmission is strongly recommended. This will allow everyone to have more time to review the material before hand.
We expect to uncover the following types of issues:
Browser Bugs
Specification interpretation issues
Specification Errors
Invalid Content
This year we’d like to concentrate on X3D Interactive and Immersive level content.
Please email your problem content to Alan Hudson. Include a description of the problem and the results from the browsers you’ve tested. Specify whether the content can be released publically or just distributed to browser implementors for testing. We would like your content by August 4th, if time permits we’ll look at newly submitted material at the event.
Please join us at the X3D Plugfest to see the results and work through the issues. A report will be generated from the meeting detailing the issues found and the recommendations.
Jul 21, 2008
ExitReality is a new solution that has a very original feature: it can turn websites and pages of social sites like Bebo, YouTube, Flickr, MySpace, AIM, Friendster… any site to a 3D multiuser world. ExitReality uses VRML/X3D as file format, so you can build a VRML/X3D world and open it with ExitReality.
You have 2 ways to use ExitReality: as a multiuser VRML/X3D browser or as a way to visit any website in 3D.
The main window, has buttons for all the actions, from controlling your avatar to watching who’s online with you, and manipulate the scene. You can also add other users to your buddy list so you know that they are online, and where.Panoramas, objects and even an entire scene can be dragged and dropped in the 3D window so it changes what you’re viewing. After you’ve edited an scene, you can save the changes, that will be remembered.
ExitReality uses VRML/X3D, and it’s easy to create of links to a scene. Using just a single line link to enter your 3D world is a great feature. Turning your website to 3D is as easy as adding a hyperlink. Visitors will be asked to register and add a plugin, and guided through the process.
Jul 17, 2008
This Multitouch-Table is devised by Fraunhofer-IGD for interaction in and with virtual environments. The largest integrated table-solutions available at 150 x 90 cm, it innovatively uses optical method to track the user’s finger. The table runs on Linux and uses the InstantReality framework for displaying and interacting. By means of InstantPlayer you can instantly display any existing VRML97 or X3D scene on the table. Using multi touch input on the one hand and 3D data visualisation on the other, the user can almost touch the 3D content and seamlessly interact with it. Thus, the Touchtable itself becomes an incredible and unique tool for presentation and explanation of advanced processes along the value chain of plant engineering and construction. Implementing rotating and scaling, the action uses just one finger and the rotation is bound to a fixed axis depending on the content shown. While the scaling was implemented using two fingers, akin to iPhone screen. Also the user can change the speed of the animations by using one finger and moving it left or right. Very intuitive, easy to learn and not complex a smooth access to this new medium.
Jun 10, 2008
It is now easier to add the sense of touch to virtual environments with X3D, Python or C++
SenseGraphics, the haptics software provider, announces the beta release of its latest version of haptics platform, H3DAPI 2.0. The open source haptics development platform will be officially released on 10 June 2008, in conjunction with EuroHaptics 2008 in Madrid, Spain.
H3DAPI has been used by the graphics and haptics community to create or add the simulation of touch to their applications. Built on the industry standards OpenGL and X3D, H3DAPI enables rapid haptics application development using X3D and Python alone. More major projects have been developed by extending H3DAPI capabilities with C++.
The improved H3DAPI 2.0 beta now uses SenseGraphics’ own haptics API, which grants users more freedom and control in haptics rendering. Users could now choose from more haptics renderers, including SensAble’s OpenHaptics, Chai3D, and H3D point and sphere-based renderers. Its modular design meant that users of the open source H3DAPI could easily extend the platform, whether it is adding their own rendering algorithms, force effects, or haptic surfaces. The latest version of H3DAPI also comes with more device support, including the range of haptic devices by SensAble, ForceDimension, Novint and MOOG FCS.
H3DAPI 2.0 is also bundled with CMake now to enable easy installation. H3DAPI runs on Windows, Linux and Mac OS.
H3DAPI 2.0 beta can be downloaded at www.H3D.org. The software is released under the GNU General Public License, with an option for commercial license.
May 24, 2008
Use your favorite 3D authoring tool, such as Autodesk® VIZ, 3ds Max®, Maya®, AliasStudio®, Cinema 4D®, modo®, SketchUp®, LightWave 3D® or any other 3D tool capable of exporting to X3D or VRML, to bring your 3D models and 3D worlds to life. Import your 3D content into WireFusion, on Mac or Windows, and have it published to the web. It’s as easy as 1-2-3. With the visual interface you can easily add advanced functionality and interactivity to your presentations, even without any prior programming or scripting skills. WireFusion is for everyone, so start sharing your ideas!
May 13, 2008
Anark Corporation announced its sponsorship of the upcoming 3D Collaboration & Interoperability conference in Denver, Colorado. Anark will demonstrate Anark Core(TM), a unique software platform that dramatically reduces repetitive CAD file conversion and preparation tasks, enabling efficient interoperability between producers and consumers of CAD data. Anark Core version 1.1 provides users with design-feature removal capabilities (parts, holes, fillets), then exports modified CAD data into high-precision BREP and lightweight mesh file formats including CATIA V4/V5, Parasolid, Pro/E, STEP, Unigraphics, IGES, Collada, DWF, X3D, and VRML.
May 02, 2008
On May 12th, the Laboratory of Integrated Systems (LSI) of the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo (EPUSP), Brazil will host an Interoperability Forum in Open-Source 3D Technologies and will present an overview of X3D-Earth. This 3D Interoperability forum is an international event focusing on topics of strategic and technological importance. The event congregates national and international guests and partner entities, featuring keynote speaker Don Brutzman from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
The main goal is to present the current State of Art in Open Source for 3D Interoperability for discussion in international groups of standardization like the Web3D Consortium an Open source 3D standards for interoperability. The intention is to promote interest in the use, development and research of open source using the X3D open format. The objective of the X3D-Earth working group is to define a set of standards and norms for an international system of 3D globes for visualization.
The X3D-Earth project intends to create an infrastructure of open and extensible standards to visualize in three dimension objects from the real world, adding information constructs in a geospatially referenced context. The possibility of integration of the archives of models using commercial and public domain tools will guarantee that the 3D content remain accessible, usable and valid for many years.
Apr 23, 2008
Another improved version of X3D-Edit available which includes strong support for authoring Script nodes, prototypes and fields. Strong checks, defaults, tooltips and prompts are offered to simplify these complicated tasks. ROUTE and IS/connect wizards reveal type and accessType (e.g. SFBool/inputOutput) so that flawed connections are directly evident, warning about mismatches.
To get X3D-Edit simply refresh your current installation, or download a copy for installation from https://savage.nps.edu/X3D-Edit
New features include:
• An option under ProtoDeclare to insert a new Script node with all of the field declarations (minus default values) plus IS and connect tags.
• A feature is in the PixelTexture editor, which now allows you to select an image file for conversion into embedded pixel values.
• New plugin: Jordi Cardona’s X3DV code colorization plugin works compatibly, allowing basic editing and palette drag & drop for .x3dv classic VRML files. Reportedly VRML97 support will follow. Install into X3D-Edit via https://savage.nps.edu/X3D-Edit/#Plugins
• New examples: Morphing dolphin, created by Chris Lang, Monterey High School class of 2008. Online at https://savage.nps.edu/Savage/Biologics/Dolphin/index.html
https://savage.nps.edu/Savage/Biologics/Dolphin/DolphinSwitcher.x3d
https://savage.nps.edu/Savage/Biologics/Dolphin/DolphinMorpher.x3d
Development is under Windows and MacOSX, and now also testing under Linux RedHat Fedora 8.
If you install the chat feature, you can join the X3D chat room.
A few weeks ago shared files were jointly edited, connecting from NPS lab in Monterey Bay, California to Chris Thorne in Australia.
https://savage.nps.edu/X3D-Edit/XmppChatCollaborationModule.html
Upcoming:
• Geospatial component
• The new Xj3D version with editing/validation/import/viewing support for Collada 1.4.1. http://www.khronos.org/collada
Apr 23, 2008
April 24-25, 2008
National Defense University
Washington, DC
Federal Virtual Worlds Expo: Implementing the Future
The Federal Consortium for Virtual Worlds is a group of federal government employees and contractors interested in exploring the use of virtual worlds in government, sharing best practices and policies, creating shared repositories, and networking.
Apr 18, 2008
The X3DV Module Suite is a free set of modules to code in X3D, the open standard for interactive and immersive 3D on Internet. With it, you can create virtual worlds in 3D, using the great edition features of Netbeans. A new module has been added: support for VRML syntax highlighting, new file wizard, vrml icons, etc.
Mar 28, 2008
GOT X3D? Calling All Creators of X3D Content!
Web3D Consortium is looking for your best X3D or VRML content and innovation to share to the world at our “Siggraph 2008 Web3D Tech Talk” this summer. Wednesday, August 13, 2008 from 3:30 - 5:30 PM in Los Angeles, CA.
If you have cool and innovative cross platform X3D content contributing to the advancement of 3D Hypermedia technologies on the Web, you may be invited to be a speaker to discuss and demonstrate your products. You will have 10 minutes to present your work and the tools used going from your concept to the final product. Send us your proposal by May 30, 2008.
Participation is open to all interested consortium members. Prospective presenters are invited to submit their proposal for review to the Web3D consortium selection committee. Submission must include a brief abstract of your presentation, 1 page summary of your X3D content/innovation, a link to your X3D content or screen shots and a preliminary slide set of your presentation not exceeding 10 minutes.
Siggraph 2008 Web3D booth partners will be offered to present at this Web3D Tech Talk as part of the booth partnership offernings.
Important Dates:
May 30: Submit your X3D content and Presentation to Web3D Tech Talk.
June 20: Formal jury selection by a select panel of X3D experts and judges.
June 25: Acceptances announced to submitters.
July 14-31: Final Preparations and virtual rehearsals.
August 11: Rehearsal in L.A. (evening).
August 13: Talk Time!
Our 2006 and 2007 Web3D Tech Talk events were a big success. Check out our Siggraph 2007 Web3D Tech Talk podcast. We plan to build a podcast this year too. More Information will be available at: Web3D Tech Talk(coming soon).
We may also be able to exhibit your X3D content/products in our Web3D booth at Siggraph 2008, August 12-14, time and space permitting. For more information please contact our Executive Director.
Please note this year the 2008 Web3D Symposium will be held right before (and co-located with) SIGGRAPH 2008 on Aug 9th and Aug 10th. More information at 2008 Web3D Symposium.
Mar 28, 2008
Web3D Consortium invites you to be our technology partners at Siggraph 2008 held in Los Angeles from Aug 11-15th, 2008.
As in the past years, Web3D consortium will provide our members the opportunity to exhibit their technologies in our booth at Siggraph 2008. Our intent is to ensure each Web3D Consortium member organization the ability to gain access to the attending audience, showcase their products and maintain their competitive position. With 2008 being our 10th anniversary, we are having a bigger presence at the conference with a great location, enhancing our organization’s visibility.
Web3D booth partners will also be offered to present at our Siggrpagh 2008 Web3D Tech Talk , August 13 3:30 to 5:30 PM as part of the booth partnership offernings. Booth partnership is available to all Web3D consortium members.
If you need more information on joing the Web3D Consortium or being our Siggraph 2008 booth partner please contact our Executive Director.
Please note this year the 2008 Web3D Symposium will be held right before (and co-located with) SIGGRAPH 2008 on Aug 9th and Aug 10th. More information at Web3D Symposium.
Mar 25, 2008
The Web3D 2008 International Symposium will be co-located with SIGGRAPH 2008 in Los Angeles, California, USA - Aug 9 and 10, 2008.
The Symposium will address wide range of topics covering 3D Hypermedia on the Web. The annual Web3D Symposium is a major event, , which unites researchers, developers, experimenters, and content creators in a dynamic learning environment. Attendees share and explore methods of using, enhancing, or creating new 3D Web and Multimedia technologies, such as (but not limited to) X3D, VRML, COLLADA, Croquet, MPEG4, MPEG7, Java3D, and Canvas3D. The symposium will also focus on recent trends such as interactive 3D graphics and applications on mobile devices.
Authors are invited to submit their work (short or full papers) for review by the international Program Committee. Both research and applications papers are of interest to Web3D 2008. The papers must be innovative and contribute to the advancement of 3D Multimedia technologies on the Web. Full papers of up to 9 pages (including figures and references) or short papers of up to 4 pages (including figures and references) in PDF format can be submitted via the Symposium Submission Site. Accepted papers will appear in the Symposium Proceedings, published by ACM Press. Additional information on submission can be found at http://www.web3d.org/conferences/web3d2008/call/
IMPORTANT Dates:
April 7: Web3D Papers Submission deadline
May 21: Accept/Reject notifications go out to authors
June 4: Camera ready submissions to ACM for publication
Mar 21, 2008
The high-tech IDC Consortium invites you to select a program on i3D (interactive 3D) visualization technology solutions.
The i3D Symposium, will be April 8 – 11, 2008 in Florence, South Carolina and is sponsored by multiple high-tech leaders, where an array of speakers from across the globe will present leading-edge developments in this technology that are truly exciting and stimulating.
The program is held at a remarkable and new, one-of-a-kind facility – the 3D/Virtual Reality Interactive Digital Center, located within the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SiMT). You will observe the latest 3D interactive technologies in action and see how today’s learner can become immersed in the learning environment. You will experience how this technology truly changes the way learning takes place! You will also see various products brought to life visually and interactively!
A 3 hour afternoon only meeting on April 9th at the SIMT (Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology), a remarkable new facility located on the Florence-Darlington Technical College campus. South Carolina legislators and FDTC leadership created this facility to enhance economic development for the region specifically for manufacturing and technology. This afternoon i3D Symposium on Interactive Product Content Management (IPCM) is designed for industry and focuses on the revolutionary impact of using “smart” digitized product content or product replicas and the resulting value for your company to interactively and visually configure, demonstrate, plan and support your products.
Mar 07, 2008
Web3D Consortium members Nicholas F. Polys, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Don Brutzman, Naval Postgraduate School and Johannes Behr, Fraunhofer IGD along with Anthony Steed, University College London will be presenting a workshop on Future Standards for Immersive VR , at the IEEE Virtual Reality 2008 on Sunday March 9th, 8:30am - 12:00pm noon in Reno, Nevada, USA. This paper is also published in the March/April 2008 issue of IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.
The motivation for this workshop was to create shared understanding between the Virtual Reality (VR) and Web3D communities. This workshop builds on recent progress and convergence between the VR and Web3D communities. In addition to many common requirements such as geometry, lighting, animation, and interaction/direct manipulation, and networked resources, these communities are both faced with the challenges and costs of re-use. The current paradox between high hardware power but low VR adoption is a result of the high cost of creating and deploying digital assets. By specifying and adopting standards, and insuring conformance among software, content can be portable, interoperable, durable, and full-featured.
Feb 16, 2008
Yumetech is pleased to announce the next session of their fast-track workshop for developers and project managers wanting to familiarize themselves with next-generation 3D web graphics applications. X3D, the follow-on graphics language to VRML, is gaining ground in just about every area of application development. Yumetech’s staff, composed of authors of the X3D specification, will train students over a period of three days to build interactive worlds, simulations, and other 3D-instensive applications. The class will be held in their home city of Seattle, from March 11-13, 2008. Interested students should contact either Alan Hudson or Wayne Warren
Featured in this class will be:
New Open Source tools for Collada
X3D Conversion X3DEarth Mashups showing how to present data over top X3D Earth Globes
More Information
Feb 02, 2008
Media Grid recently announced its plans to roll out a cross-platform, immersive world for education for academics, students, and trainers everywhere because 3D environments need to provide a 3D educational perspective. After experimenting with VRML, the Unreal Engine, and other tools since 2001, the organization realized that it needed to begin looking beyond simply one platform. It formed the Immersive Education Initiative and looked for options. They looked at all the platforms that were available and arrived at the first three systems. Second Life, which is open source on the viewer; Sun Microsystems’ Wonderland; and Croquet, an open-source educational environment created by Duke University. The thrust of the initiative was to get a product out as quickly as possible that is adaptable for ongoing upgrades. That involves establishing not only a user interface that’s consistent across the three platforms, but a way to recognize assets for teaching tools, host them, and make them available for use in any environment. The Education Grid will be populated by file formats that can be read by existing forms and will have educational grid assets for Second Life and X3D for Wonderland and for Croquet. Read more
Feb 02, 2008
The National Postgraduate School (NPS) team has produced another update to X3D-Edit, a new authoring tool for simple error-free editing, authoring and validation of X3D scenes. The latest weekly build includes collaboration chat with file sharing, the complete set of X3D specifications, a new X3D Example Archives download panel, and an updated Xj3D viewer. Free download is available at X3D-Edit
In addition to being available as a cross-platform standalone application, X3D-Edit is now listed in the Netbeans Plugin Portal.
Public or private evaluation comments are welcome.
Jan 26, 2008
The Stanford Humanities Lab is putting on Metaverse U conference at the Annenberg Auditorium, Stanford University on Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th of February 2008. Metaverse U will bring together industry leaders, artists, and academics to discuss a range of topics surrounding virtual worlds. Metaverse U aims to challenge traditional conference models with more collaborative and inclusive opportunities for participants, both virtual and corporeal. To ensure that its impact extends well beyond the actual conference, video from Metaverse U will be streamed live to the web, free of charge.
Jan 22, 2008
Call for Participation for the Summer Computer Simulation Conference (SCSC’08) conference in Edinburgh, Scotland on June 16-19, 2008.
The conference is being held in Europe and may be of particular interest to our European Web3D consortium membership. Web3D companies are encouraged to submit full papers or “work in progress/short” papers related to Web3D and industrial or general simulation. You can also submit papers on Computer Graphics Topics. Authors can also submit High resolution images for a Scientific Visualization Contest. Additional information can be found at http://www.scs.org/confernc/summersim/summersim08/cfp/CFP_CGfS.pdf
Jan 21, 2008
Fraunhofer IGD releases Beta4 of the InstantReality System. Included in this release are the following new and/or improved features along with minor and major bugfixes.
- One of the first (alpha/beta) implementations of the X3D Med/VolumeRendering Component specification. The GPU based ray-caster allows to visualize volume-data very efficiently.
- Faster and more robust automatic optimization of static subtrees.
- Improved support for StaticGroup and Inlines of static data
- Improved cluster synchronization mechanisms. It is now much easier to setup a stereo wall or even a CAVE
- Improved cluster performance, especially if local and remote windows are used.
- Multi-touch extensions for all PointingSensor-nodes
- Geometry Shader extensions for the shader node-sets. Only available on graphics hardware with Shader Model 4.0 (e.g. NVidia 8x).
The new labs section of the web-page http://www.instantreality.org/labs provides documentation, tutorials and neat tools to convert classic/xml data.
Jan 17, 2008
The Netbeans X3DV Module is for editing X3D inside Netbeans, in classic VRML encoding (with .x3dv extension).
The following modules are currently implemented: New X3DV files can be created inside Netbeans, Brackets and quotes completion, Icons for X3DV files and Syntax coloring making editing easier.
In the future it is planned to add many code templates and code snippets, and also a syntax checker, toolbars, etc.
X3DV Module for Netbeans is licensed by LGPL.
Jan 07, 2008
Heilan 0.13 is a standalone OpenGL X3D browser designed for audio work. It features a low latency Ambisonic audio engine, allowing for full 3D sound with virtually any configuration of speakers. It also has full Open Sound Control support, allowing scenes to be manipulated in realtime.
Major feature enhancements include a Mac OS X port and support for big-endian machines. The implementation of Ambisonic soundfield rotation has been improved. The code is now licensed under version 3 of the GPL. Alpha-blending now works. 18 new X3D nodes have been implemented, and there are a number of bugfixes to improve the browser’s conformance to the X3D specification.
Jan 03, 2008
Anark Core 1.1 provides several enhancements to the company’s automated CAD data transformation software system, including direct support for three industry-leading 3D data-exchange and visualization formats: VRML, X3D, and Autodesk DWF(TM).
The newly added formats expand upon a growing menu of industry-leading, high-precision and lightweight 3D CAD and visualization formats supported by Anark Core. VRML and X3D are recognized by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as open 3D graphics formats for a wide array of data exchange and visualization applications.
Anark Corporation provides powerful enterprise software and solutions to organizations that need to cost effectively utilize their CAD data and other 3D graphics assets to deliver a wide array of high-end collaboration and visual communication applications.
Additional information about the Anark Core Platform can be found at http://www.anark.com or by contacting an Anark representative at solutions@anark.com.
Dec 22, 2007
Bitmanagement announces the release of VRML/X3D viewer BS Contact 7.1., and BS Collaborate Multi-User Server.
The BS Collaborate server is based on Web3D’s proposal for the Networking component (networkSensor). These nodes allow VRML/X3D scenes to connect to arbitrary servers or directly link between two VRML/X3D players. With these nodes one can manipulate virtual objects collaboratively in real time.
Highlights of this new release:
* BS Contact, with it’s new BS Collaborate Server, now supports virtual worlds in which multi-user avatar functionality can be utilized.
* BS Contact is now “multi-lingual”, it supports not only the standard web3D formats X3D and VRML but also COLLADA.
* BS Contact is now interfaced to the high-speed Ageia PhysX engine as well as ODE, to aid in the visualisation of realistic simulations.
* BS Contact now enables the use of Flash in 3D applications with transparency.
* BS Contact with it’s new automated installation mechanism is noticeably easier to load and start.
Many of these new features open the door for more applications and allows users to capitalize on the current trend towards interactive virtual worlds. You can download a test version at: http://www.bitmanagement.com/download/playerdownload.en.html
http://www.bitmanagement.com/documents/Pressemappe/BS_Contact_7.1_E.pdf
http://www.bitmanagement.com
Dec 19, 2007
SIGGRAPH 2007 - Web3D’s “Tech Talk” Podcast
Web3D consortium members demonstrate software and hardware systems and answer questions about how their applications work. These comprehensive summaries of X3D technologies are now available on podcast at movesinstitute.org
Dec 18, 2007
The BS Exporter is updated to work with Blender 2.44 and above.
The Exporter is free including full documentation. New in this release are:
● Python 2.4 and Python 2.5 release
● Updated for Blender 2.44+ and changed deprecated code
● Bugfix: Creating texture subfolder only if textures available
● Bugfix: Working on Linux and MacOS X now
With Wine 0.9.49 (a windows emulation) you can view your exported 3D content on Linux and MacOS X too.
http://my.opera.com/area42/blog/bs-contact-vrml-x3d-on-linux
http://www.bitmanagement.com/products/bs_exporter.en.html
Dec 18, 2007
This presentation from members of the Web3D Consortium, Don Brutzman and Mathias Kolsch, was given at the “W3C Video on the Web Workshop”, held 12-13 December 2007, in San Jose, California, USA and Brussels, Belgium.
Real-time variety of multimedia capabilities, and virtual environments typically include a variety of multimedia capabilities, including videoincluding video. The Extensible 3D (X3D) Graphics is an ISO standard produced by the Web3D Consortium that defines 3D scenes using a scene-graph approach. Multiple X3D file formats and language encodings are available, with a primary emphasis on XML for maximum interoperability with the Web architecture. A large number of functional capabilities are needed and projected for the use of video together with Web-based virtual environments. This paper examines numerous functional requirements for the integrated use of Web-compatible video with 3D.
Three areas of interest are identified: video usage within X3D scenes, linking video external to X3D scenes, and generation of 3D geometry from video. Extensible 3D (X3D) is a Web-based standard for 3D graphics, enabling real-time communication using animation, user interaction and networking.
The point paper lists current and expected requirements, primarily divisible into usage of video within X3D graphics scenes, linkage to video in web-based applications external to X3D graphics scenes, and generation of 3D geometric content from spatially annotated video inputs.
Dec 17, 2007
CALL FOR PAPERS 2008 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium
July 6-11, 2008 * Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
On behalf of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society, the IGARSS 2008 Organizing Committee, and the New England area remote sensing and earth science communities, we are pleased to welcome you to Boston for IGARSS 2008! IGARSS’08 will be the 28th annual symposium for GRSS and will continue the excellent tradition of gathering world-class scientists, engineers and educators engaged in the fields of geoscience and remote sensing to meet and present their latest activities. Truly an international event, we anticipate well over one thousand participants from all over the world to enjoy a week of technical sessions, tutorials, exhibits and social activities.
Participation in IGARSS is open to all individuals interested in or working in the fields of geoscience and remote sensing. Abstracts received by the deadline will be considered for program placement under the standard peer review process. Late abstracts cannot be accepted due to the large number of submissions and short review schedule. The IEEE IGARSS 2008 Technical Program Committee will organize all accepted abstracts into either oral or interactive poster sessions based upon their potential contribution to the symposium and the composition of high-quality sessions. Attention publishing authors! Only accepted papers that are registered and presented at the symposium in Boston will be published in the symposium proceedings.
For more information visit http://www.igarss08.org
Abstract Submission: http://www.igarss08.org/Papers.asp
** Abstract Submission Deadline January 7, 2008 **
Dec 16, 2007
The NPS MOVES team is proud to announce the beta release of X3D-Edit 3.2.
X3D-Edit is an Extensible 3D Graphics authoring tool for simple error-free editing, authoring and validation of X3D scenes. It is a complete rewrite of version 3.1 using the Java Netbeans platform and Xj3D, all open source.
Tested satisfactorily on Windows and Mac, both standalone and as a plugin for Netbeans users. Linux editing works tho Xj3D refresh is not yet ready. Further development continues with build updates each week. Feedback is welcome, we hope that you enjoy using it.
Dec 12, 2007
MobiX3D 1.0 is a software that allows to interactive visualize 3D models and worlds on PDAs and latest-generation mobile phones. The product is highly customizable and can be employed in different applications, ranging from the visualization of architectural 3D models in mobile tourist guides to the browsing of 3D contents in the field by industrial maintenance workers.
MobiX3D 1.0 supports the ISO X3D standard for 3D content representation. A hardware-accelerated version is also available for some mobile devices equipped with dedicated 3D graphics processor.
Nov 12, 2007
ALIVE Members and Friends! Hot off the keyboards we have a new version of the ALIVE editor. The editor is available now for download from the ALIVE
Website:
The new features of the editor include:
* New Graphical User Interface
* Particle Systems
* New Models, Landscapes and Terrain
* Walk Around Mode in which you can turn on an avatar and walk around
your scene in third person 3D
* Uniform scaling of objects and snap to grid mode
* Copy and Paste of objects already in the scene
* F10 Screenshot will send a shot of your 3D world directly to the
front page of the ALIVE website!
Please post comments, suggestions and troubleshooting issue to the forums and the team will respond at their earliest convenience. Watch for the NEW ALIVE Player coming soon. This will allow you to upload your ALVIE world onto our website and multi-user share it with your friends and colleagues so you can chat LIVE! Your use and testing of the ALIVE editor significantly helps us debug and improve the product for future releases. Enjoy!
P.S. We have run tests using the ALIVE editor on an iMac under Parallels. If you would like to try it on an iMac, please ensure your Parallels settings have DirectX enabled and an increase in the memory
allocated to graphics.
Dr Penny de Byl
ALIVE Lab Manager and Lead Researcher
Senior Lecturer in C, Computer Graphics and Games Programming
Department of Mathematics and Computing
University of Southern Queensland
Toowoomba, Qld., 4350.
Australia
Nov 11, 2007
The 3D Network Professional Virtual Enterprise Initiative (3DNPVEI, LLC - pronounce 3DNPV) is looking to create a “massively multiplayer, social and business networking virtual world, using open standard technologies such as Web3D’s ISO-approved VRML and X3D.” The world itself has been in development since March, but CEO and Web3D member Lauren Gauthier says that the project has had been growing explicitly for over a year and has its roots in the longer histories of the groups as-yet-undisclosed partners. But come December, look out for more information. “Basically, we are going to have a limited alpha release on invitation,” Gauthier said. “A select group of people will be invited to come in and view what we have so far. Later we’ll have the beta for the public. “
“There’s always this thing in the back of my mind as a reason why virtual worlds haven’t caught on yet,” Gauthier continued. “There isn’t too much to do here. You can chat, and that’s about it. And we feel that’s not enough to keep people interested in the long term. It might be in the short term, but then people give up.”
That’s a sentiment that’s been bounced around by too many virtual worlds developers to count. But while most developers of that mindset are looking to add gameplay elements to spice up the social world, Gauthier wants to add a game that’s focused on business.
“What we are doing is to build something in the way that there’s something to do there,” she explained. “That is the game element. But in essence, it is a social and business network with some game elements built into it so people are not just left to their own devices here. They’re guided by the game to build businesses into the world. The goal for this business networking site is for the users to actually use it to make money. It’s not necessarily just for users to play. It’s similar to serious games mixed with a social and business network.”
Because 3DNPVEI is building on open standards, the goal is to have companies or individuals build their own worlds and connect them through the provided server technology based on X3D. Gauthier couldn’t discuss the business model for the organization, though she said it’s been tested and should be expandable. Right now the organization, which is open to new parties around the world, is only discussing details under NDA. However, Gauthier did say that she believes the open standard will set the world apart.
Geoscience Australia (GA) releases first X3D application on the web
Nov 07, 2007
After many years of successfully developing applications using VRML, Geoscience Australia (GA) has released its first X3D application on the web. The application presents the latest data model produced for the Tanami region in Australia?s Northern Territory as well as data shown in a previously published VRML model. The model incorporates HTML, JavaScript, and X3D to provide an interactive interface that allows for custom views of the data. The X3D features used include mainly protos, indexedLineSets, indexedFaceSets and the SAI etc. The Tanami X3D model can be viewed from the GA website.
Oct 09, 2007
Octaga chosen by Shell to deliver 3D real-time solutions for Ormen Lange.
Oslo, - October 8, 2007 Shell has chosen Octaga Enterprise from Octaga AS as real-time 3D visualization solution for the Ormen Lange Processing Plant in Nyhamna. Octaga was chosen due to the ability to stream large CAD models combined with intuitive navigation and realistic visualization. The Octaga Enterprise Suite will be used by personnel for maintenance, operation, training, planning and collaboration at Ormen Lange Nyhamna Processing Plant in Aukra and Kristiansund.
The Octaga Enterprise Suite supports automatic updates of the 3D model of the Ormen Lange Plant. Modifications in the plant design made by design engineers will be automatically made available, and ready to be streamed to the personnel engaged in running the plant, which represent a huge cost saving.
All objects shown in the viewing solution can be linked to external systems to enable retrieval of critical data for the operators.
With Octaga Enterprise, Shell personnel get a state-of-the-art interactive 3D viewing system that supports advanced navigation, high quality visualization, simulation and collaboration including red-lining and viewpoint sharing. The tool makes it possible to collaborate efficiently on the operation of the plant between Nyhamna and other sites.
Viewing Ormen Lange in an interactive 3D environment will improve the users knowledge of the plant, allow more effective communication and make the work more enjoyable!
Web3D Siggraph 2007 “Tech Talk” BoF Video Now Available
Sep 25, 2007
Web3D is pleased to announce the availability of our Siggraph 2007 “Tech Talk” BoF video. You can find it right here on Web3D.org!
Sep 17, 2007
We would like to inform you that Octaga has opened an Octaga specific forum,
(Or just go to the octaga web site and select “community” from the top menu)
We will try to answer all Octaga related questions on the forum.
As always questions can also be directed to: support@octaga.com for technical questions, and sales@octaga.com for commercial and licensing issues.
Also, Octaga has developed a free VRML1 to VRML97 converter. It comes with absolutely no guarantees and no warranty.
It it available for download at: http://www.octaga.com/freedownloads/Vrml10to20/VRML10To20.zip
If you encounter any problem with the converterer we are happy to receive any feedback at support@octaga.com
Sep 12, 2007
A new version of River of Life has been posted at this link . Please feel free to test this new version.
Models can be found here and here.
There are usually some problems with a fresh release (caps in titles, etc.). If you load the world and find these, please post them to Len Bullard’s blog at the link above. This world is encoded in VRML97. It will be converted to X3D once this version works.
Note that the world was built by hand using the BitManagement BSContact browser. It has not been tested on other VRML browsers lately. If you do, let Len Bullard know how that it goes. The worlds have been through Chisel and are error free to the best of his knowledge. There are still warnings and non-conformance messages given the tight restrictions of Chisel, but other wise it runs.
One favor: please don’t pilfer the sound files. Those are samples under fair use and this is a not-for-profit world. All of the artists are listed in the credits.
The compressed binary encoding was approved by ISO/IEC!
Aug 06, 2007
Good news! It is now official, The compressed binary encoding was approved to be an IS.
Fine work, Dick and the X3D spec team !!
ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 24
Information technology—Computer graphics, image processing and environmental data representation—Extensible 3D (X3D) encodings—Part 3: Compressed binary encoding advances status to International Standard.
Jul 20, 2007
Kitware Inc., Clifton Park, NY Kitware announced today the adoption of a new open standard for the large data scientific visualization community with the inclusion of the ISO open standard X3D exporter in Paraview. ParaView 2.6.2, an open source visualization application developed by Kitware in collaboration with several US National Labs, now offers users the ability to save real “3D screen shots” ready for use within the most popular VRML/X3D enabled browsers.
This feature, which will be released as part of the next generation ParaView 3.4 and will be available in VTK 5.2 , enables IT engineers and developers to build new visualization tools for the web thanks to the ISO open standard X3D.
Jul 18, 2007
Specifications ISO-IEC-19774, -19775, and a part of ISO-IEC-19776 have been translated into Chinese. These specifications are on http://17de.com/x3d/ now. The newer Amendment translation continues.
Jul 10, 2007
In this interview, Neil discusses Khronos’ current technology standards such as OpenGL ES 2.0 support of programmable shaders, COLLADA and the liaison with Web3D. The reporter’s questions 9 - 11 address COLLADA, and specifically Question 11 addresses run-time:
Q11 Does Collada aim to become a standard for 3D objects broadcasting on the Web? Are progressive loading features available so as to accomodate limited bandwidth?
A11 COLLADA is strictly an authoring format and is not intended for use at run-time. Khronos has recently announced a liaison with the Web3D Consortium whose X3D standard is designed for deployment of networked, real-time 3D - including over the web. The liaison is to ensure that COLLADA and X3D seamlessly complement each other and COLLADA provides a solid foundation for tools supporting X3D content creation. It will be interesting to see if networked 3D technologies developed for the web will find use over mobile networks too.
Other interesting interviews including several with Web3D members can be found at here .
Jun 26, 2007
Contest Description:
The COLLADA Refinery is a Java GUI application for creating content pipelines for 3D assets using modular components called conditioners. To learn more about COLLADA conditioners please visit the COLLADA Conditioners Portal.
How To Enter:
Participants must write one or more conditioners for the COLLADA Refinery. Example entries are:
An importer conditioner (load .3ds, .obj, .x3d, .vrml, cad, terrain )
An exporter conditioner (to a game engine, or other formats .3ds, .obj, .x3d)
Data processing for content pipeline (processing of geometry, optimization, conversion)
Debugging and monitoring tools (statistics, diff tool)
Automatic LOD generation - takes a geometry and creates a specified number of LOD geometries with names like (GeometryID)_LOD_1
To enter this contest, you must signup at the COLLADA Contest web site, COLLADA Contest
Jun 26, 2007
Web3D Consortium Member Octaga is pleased to announce that their latest software pack is now being distributed on the attached CD to the June 2007 issue of 3D World Magazine.
Jun 07, 2007
Now! With added support for CompositeTexture3D, ReflectionTexture and RefractionTexture (earlier only available in Octaga Professional).
Support for Scene Authoring Interface (SAI) COM bindings
Improved Support for X3D Revision 1
Support for wmv video format
Now supports mpeg1 and mpeg2 with sound
Support for wma, mp3, aiff, au and snd sound formats
Support for jpeg2000 image format
Improved particleSystem support
Support for Non-Linear Interpolator
Support for Layering
Support for Followers
Improved render to texture funtionality
Improved GLSL shader support
Support for ShadowTextures
Support for floating point textures
Multi-threaded loading of inline files
Better handling of malformed X3D content
Download Octaga Player 2.2 Now!
The new updates are also available in the new release of Octaga Professional 2.2
Download Octaga Professional 2.2 Now!
Registered users of Octaga Professional can use “Live Update”.
Jun 05, 2007
Pinecoast Software is pleased to announce the initial release of the SwirlX3D viewer and plugins. The X3D viewer is a standalone application running on the Windows platform that is free for private or commercial use. Microsoft Windows based plugins for InternetExplorer and Mozilla Firefox are also available for licensing. Linux and Macintosh versions are currently under development. For more information.
Jun 04, 2007
BOSTON, MA - June 04, 2007 - MediaGrid.org launches the Immersive Education initiative with an open call to educators, students, and professionals who have experience using virtual learning environments or video game technologies (such as Second Life, Croquet, Extensible 3D [X3D], Panda3D, Quake, Unreal, Torque Game Engine, and so forth). Individuals and organizations can visit ImmersiveEducation.org to select the next-generation Immersive Education platform, contribute to best practices, and establish standards for virtual learning environments and game-based learning platforms…
May 31, 2007
Web3D was very fortunate to have member David Colleen of Planet 9 Studios on such a high profile panel at Where 2.0 on Tuesday. Here’s a shot of David (blue shirt, 4th from left). Check out the Where 2.0 site for a Where Wrap-up.
May 29, 2007
LAS VEGAS, NV - May 29, 2007: The Project, LLC today announced the release of its range of Extensible 3D Avatars in the adults-only Jewel of Indra virtual world “The new Extensible Avatar takes interaction within the virtual world and with other residents of the world to a whole new level.” Said Project CEO (who prefers to be called by her in-world name, ‘badgirl’), “when using the avatar the resident can switch between up to 66 different outfits allowing them to choose clothing, or a lack thereof, that suits their mood and any activity they want to participate in. For example an avatar might start off dressed in a t-shirt and skirt, but the resident might decide to change into a ball gown, a bikini, a swimsuit or a bondage outfit.” The new avatars are exclusively for use in the Jewel of Indra virtual community, and will support over 980 gestures, some of which allow the resident to play musical instruments, fight, dance, and take part in many different sexual activities. Jewel of Indra is based on Web3D technology VRML 2.0.
May 25, 2007
San Francisco, California - May 25, 2007
Planet 9 Studios has produced a GPS and avatar based social networking application for use in games, navigation and emergency response. RayGun is the first 3D cell phone and GPS device tracking system and it includes 70+ high-resolution, 3D models of real world locations. The RayGun client runs on laptops, hand-helds, cell phones and embedded systems. RayGun is supported by the GeoFeeder server which supports Web3D and Open Geospatial Consortium ISO open standards as well as Google Earth. Ray Gun is built on a geographic server using X3D and exports to X3D and .dae (for import into Google Earth). RayGun is currently in private beta for interested developers and customers. Planet 9 CEO, David Colleen, will be speaking about RayGun at Where 2.0 on Tuesday, May 29th in San Jose, California. “3D city simulation used to be limited to high-end flight simulators,” David Colleen notes. “These days, Google Earth and Second Life have generated considerable consumer interest and appetite for desk-top applications that use 3D interfaces depicting real world places.”
May 07, 2007
Web3D finally got the permissions to be able to stream this content from the NPS MOVES server:
The Web3D Tech Talk Video of SIGGRAPH 2006
Pay special attention to the movie at 42:02 during Franck Kolb’s EDF presentation. That’s where Alan fell off the stage! All’s well that ends well.
Also, the Press Room Recap with Alan, Don & Rita is up, too:
SIGGRAPH Press Room Recap
Beware, though - - - it’s BIG! (620MB)
The Smaller version is also up:
SIGGRAPH Press Room Recap-Small
-Jeff W. and Rita T.
Apr 30, 2007
The special issue Web3D Technologies for Learning, Education and Training of the Computers & Education journal is finally out. Web3D Consortium members Luca Chittaro and Roberto Ranon have been the guest editors and the extended introduction to the topic they wrote for the issue can be read here: Intro to Web3D Technologies for Learning, Education and Training
Also, the new book on The Adaptive Web published by Springer includes a long chapter on “Adaptive 3D Web Site”. The chapter can be read here.
Apr 19, 2007
The Web3D Consortium and the Khronos Group initiate cooperation to accelerate market adoption of pervasive connected 3D; Initial focus is synergy between X3D and COLLADA.
17th April, 2007 - Web3D Symposium, Perugia, Italy - The Khronos Group and the Web3D Consortium announced today that they have executed a liaison agreement to enable the flow of draft specifications and feedback between the two organizations. This liaison will enable cooperative initiatives to align and combine the use of standards from both groups to drive the growth of connected 3D on mobile and embedded devices as well as on the Web. The initial focus of this liaison is to leverage the existing synergy between the X3D and COLLADA standards from Web3D and Khronos respectively. A white paper exploring how these two standards complement each other can be found here: .
Apr 16, 2007
As first part of our AR/VR Framework we, the Fraunhofer IGD, is releasing a beta of our desktop/standalone- player for OSX, Windows and Linux (almost) to the public. Since we use a superset of X3D as an application description language, this player should be able to process most of the available X3D data.
Fraunhofer IGD would like to ask the x3d/vrml community members to test the player/installer on different machines and x3d data-sets and please give feadback in the forums. The goal is to find the biggest bugs and the best linux-distributions for everybody in the first cycle. Afterwards IGD is going to release the missing AR/VR modules and parts of the framework.
About the license: Unfortunately we can not opensource all parts (yet). However: one of the biggest and most interesting parts is already open-source with a LGPL OpenSG license. There will be free but unsupported binary releases for non-commercial use only. Commercial packages will be available with a different license model.
Apr 16, 2007
Any Web application of significance needs to support network standards to be effective as a multiuser application connecting users to each other, to external components and to Web services. The X3D Networking Working Group is chartered with developing an efficient, flexible and robust means for distributed application components and applications to inter-operate through improved networking capability. It also aims to be easy for content developers to use and develop with. This will be complementary to the existing Web browser API based architecture for external communication capability (via the external SAI). Members are encouraged to join this new working group.
Apr 04, 2007
Dr. Remi Arnaud from Sony CE and Tony Parisi of Media Machines Inc., and a Web3D board member, have collorarated on a white paper that sheds light on the compatible relationship between COLLADA and X3D. Both COLLADA and X3D are royalty-free open standards that use XML schema technology to represent 3D content. This whitepaper will assist developers in understanding the similarities and differences between COLLADA and X3D, the design goals that informed their development, and how and where the two standards can be used together as a powerful tool set for developing Web and enterprise applications.
Apr 03, 2007
This contract has been awarded by the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology and Research Center Grant to enable the visualization of medical images from CT, MRI and other imaging devices which output the DICOM standard format in 3D with full volume rendering capabilities within a X3D browser. This project will enable the visualization of medical images from CT, MRI and other imaging devices which output the DICOM standard format in 3D with full volume rendering capabilities within a X3D browser. A MedX3D profile of the X3D specification, links to anatomic ontologies and import/export libraries to ease 3rd party development will also be created. Michael Aratow, MD, FACEP, co-chair of the Medical Working Group, will be Principal Investigator on the project, and through a competitive proposal process within the Consortium membership, Yumetech, Inc., Leonard Yencharis, Media Machines, Inc. and SenseGraphics AB were awarded funding to perform the specific tasks. Due for completion in Summer 2007, this project will enable the Web3D Consortium to enable the delivery of 3D reconstructed medical images to the desktop within an ISO ratified, open, royalty free standard environment.
Mar 29, 2007
Web3D is pleased to announce that on March 27th, Jay Weber, CTO of Media Machines, gave an invited presentation to The Institute for the Future in Palo Alto, CA on the power of Flux Studio 2.0. This presentation is now available for download to Web3D Consortium members only in the Marketing Presentations folder on Web3D.org.
Also see IFTF’s web site for more info: http://future.iftf.org/2007/03/links_for_20070_21.html
Mar 27, 2007
As promised, here’s a shot of Tony Parisi from Media Machines and Rita Turkowski from Web3D hangin’ out in the Khronos Booth in early March. Check out Rita’s blog on GDC in our blog space: Our blogs
Mar 14, 2007
Tony Parisi’s presentation from GDC explains how COLLADA, Ajax and X3D are used within Media Machine’s Flux to enable real-time streaming 3D virtual worlds and games over the web.
Mar 10, 2007
The objective of Insight Media’s 3D Technology and Market Report is to supply managers, product planners, engineers and researchers with the information needed to understand and plan for 3D display systems. The information required to make solid decisions includes understanding the recent changes in 3D display technology, improvements in supporting technologies such as compression, formats and standards and increased 3D image source availability.
Feb 28, 2007
Award-winning Web 3D authoring software imports Google Earth file format; Google SketchUp and 3D Warehouse Media Machines users can now share their 3D models and worlds in a Web browser. San Francisco, CA - February 27, 2007 - Media Machines, Inc., a leading provider of 3D virtual worlds software and services for the Web, today announced the final release of their new software tools, Flux Player 2.0 and Flux Studio 2.0. Flux Player 2.0 is an award-winning and now! open source Web browser plugin (1.5MB) for viewing and playing real-time 3D content and virtual worlds in Firefox and Internet Explorer browsers. Flux Player 2.0 works with Windows XP and Vista and now supports streaming audio and video, including mp3, mpg, wmv, and avi files. Flux Player 2.0 now also supports 2D Layers, allowing for the creation of graphic overlays such as heads-up displays (HUDs) widely used in game and virtual world user interfaces. Flux Studio 2.0 is a 3D authoring application for creating virtual content, worlds, games and gadgets.
