Comparing X3D Browsers and Engines

Release Date: 
5 June 2025

​X‑Ite, X3DOM, and the Castle Game Engine — three tools that all deal with X3D. Together, they form a complete ecosystem for 3D Web visualization.

  • X‑Ite → A full X3D browser implemented in JavaScript/WebGL
  • X3DOM → A declarative HTML+X3D framework for embedding 3D in the DOM
  • Castle Game Engine - Best for game and application development 
  • X3D (Standard) → The ISO/IEC specification defining the 3D language 

How They Fit Together (Strategic View) - Think of them as layers:

  • X3D → the language
  • X‑Ite → the full browser implementing the language
  • X3DOM → the HTML‑native framework for easy embedding
  • Castle Game Engine -  Full Engine

High‑Level Comparison Table

         
Features X3DOM X_Ite Castle Game Engine X3D v4 (ISO Standard)
What it is HTML‑integrated rendering framework Full WebGL‑based X3D browser Full game engine

The 3D language + architecture

ISO/IEC 19775/19776 standard
Technology Base JavaScript + WebGL + HTML DOM JavaScript + WebGL  Object Pascal + OpenGL/Vulkan

Technology‑agnostic specification
Standards Alignment Partial (subset of X3D) High (X3D, VRML, glTF) None (not a standards engine)

Defines X3D v3/v4
Primary purpose Based on X3D v3; partial v4 concepts High compliance with X3D Build 2D/3D games & applications Official specification for X3D v4
glTF support Limited

X_ite supports glTF

 Yes Native integration in the standard
VRML support via X3D compatibility

 X_Ite supports VRML

 No Not applicable (standard only)
DOM integration Deep — X3D nodes live in HTML DOM DOM events + partial X3D behavior None Not a runtime; DOM integration defined conceptually
Interactivity Model DOM events + partial X3D behavior Full X3D event model, routing, scripting Game‑engine scripting (Pascal) Defines event model, scripting, sensors
Deployment Browser‑based Browser‑based Desktop, mobile, consoles Implemented by runtimes (e.g., X‑Ite)
Use cases Education, prototyping, CH projects, declarative demos Production‑grade X3D viewing, full feature coverage Games, simulations, standalone apps Authoring, interchange, long‑term standardization
Maintenance status Actively maintained (2024–2025) Actively maintained Actively maintained

Actively evolving (Web3D WG tracking)
Complexity Very easy to embed More complex, full engine High Depends on implementation
Plugin‑free Yes Yes N/A (native apps) Yes (standard only)

X3DOM — Declarative 3D in HTML

X3DOM (pronounced “X‑freedom”) is an open‑source JavaScript framework that lets developers embed declarative 3D graphics directly into HTML pages, without plugins. It integrates 3D content into the HTML DOM, enabling interaction through standard web technologies like CSS and JavaScript. X3DOM is the easiest way to embed X3D directly in HTML. Its strengths:

  • X3D nodes become HTML elements
  • No build tools or shaders
  • Great for education, prototyping, and long‑term 3D deployments

It implements a large subset of X3D, but not the full standard.

X‑Ite is a complete X3D runtime in JavaScript/WebGL.  

X‑Ite is an open‑source, JavaScript‑based X3D browser that uses WebGL to render interactive 3D graphics directly in modern web browsers—no plugins required. It supports:

  • X3D
  • VRML
  • glTF
  • full event routing
  • scripting and sensors

It’s ideal for:

  • 3D applications needing fidelity
  • standards demonstrations
  • browser‑based 3D apps with full X3D semantics

Castle Game Engine — A Full Game Engine

Castle Game Engine is a general‑purpose game engine, not a Web3D/X3D tool. It supports:

  • OpenGL/Vulkan rendering
  • glTF
  • physics
  • animations
  • scripting in Object Pascal

It’s designed for:

  • games
  • simulations
  • standalone apps
  • cross‑platform deployment

It does not implement X3D semantics or the X3D event model.

X3D — The Standard Specification

X3D is the ISO/IEC standard that defines:

  • the 3D scene graph
  • nodes and components
  • event model
  • scripting
  • profiles and architecture
  • glTF integration (v4)

It is not a runtime — it is the language that engines like X‑Ite and frameworks like X3DOM implement.

Together, they form a complete ecosystem for 3D Web visualization.