X3D Example Archives: VRML 2 Sourcebook, Chapter 11 Grouping

Grouping nodes are used to group shapes to compose complex shapes.

  • The Switch node creates a switched group where only one child node in the group is displayed, children implicitly numbered from 0 and a whichChoice value of -1 selects no children.
  • Transform creates a group with its own coordinate system where every child node in the group is displayed.
  • Billboard creates a group with a special coordinate system that turns to face the viewer.

These X3D scenes are adapted directly from the original VRML 2.0 Sourcebook chapter examples. Also available: Introduction to VRML97 SIGGRAPH98 course notes.

Figure 11.2 Cafe Sign Billboard

Figure 11.3 Bounding Box

  3 X3D Models       X3D Model Descriptions
   Figure11_1CafeSignSwitchResolutions Figure 11 1 Cafe Sign Switch Resolutions Three versions of a cafe sign within a Switch node, selected by the whichChoice field.
   Figure11_2CafeSignBillboard Figure 11 2 Cafe Sign Billboard A cafe sign within a billboard group.
   Figure11_3BoundingBox Figure 11 3 Bounding Box A group of shapes within a bounding box.

The X3D Resources: Examples page and X3D Developers Guide provide more information about the production of this archive.