I Want My Web 3-D
VRML's high-speed 3-D brings new worlds to the Web.
-- by James Bell
How can the Web realistically handle 3-D over connections as slow as 28.8Kbps? The answer may be a compact cross-platform 3-D description standard called virtual reality modeling language (VRML). Introduced in 1994, VRML has really begun turning heads since the arrival of the more compelling version 2.0 last year.
VRML shares many similarities with HTML. Like HTML, VRML is stored in plain ASCII text files and must be downloaded and interpreted by a VRML-enabled browser. The files contain "scenegraphs"-descriptions of the objects, lighting and cameras for a self-contained 3-D world. The files can also include hyperlinks between objects and other VRML files or HTML pages, and pointers to separate files containing texture maps, sound bites or external programs. Following the scenegraph instructions, the VRML browser directs the PC to render objects and provides the viewer with controls to navigate the completed 3-D scene.
Because the rendering is done on the PC, VRML files are relatively small-typically closest in size to GIF and JPEG files. VRML can also make the most of slow Internet connections by downloading only the portion of the scene you're currently facing. Another trick, called inlining, adjusts object resolution to your viewing distance. For example, a distant wall might be shown as a simple gray rectangle, but as you get closer, a more detailed, texture-mapped wall would be downloaded and rendered.
Your PC's computing and pixel-pumping power affect 3-D performance with VRML. Most VRML browsers and plug-ins recommend a Pentium-class PC with 16MB of RAM running Windows 95 or NT. Since more PCs are shipping with 3-D hardware acceleration, performance could improve significantly. And graphics card manufacturers such as 3Dlabs and S3 have announced they will bundle faster VRML browsers optimized for their products.
S3 is also pushing a VRML enhancement called Redistributed Internet Objects (RIO), which maintains a small library of texture maps and audio samples on your PC. Your VRML browser would use this locally stored data instead of downloading it along with the VRML files. S3 expects to have RIO products available in the second quarter of '97.
Two for the Show
Initially, VRML only supported the creation of static scenes; the viewer could travel through the scene but all scene objects were fixed. All that changed with VRML 2.0. Based on Moving Worlds, a proposal by Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI) and a dozen other companies, VRML 2.0 adds support for animated objects, events and triggers that respond to viewers' actions, 3-D spatial sound and the ability to link interactively with external programs like Java. The result: much more interesting, active VRML worlds.
Developers are busily converting their browsers, authoring tools and content to support VRML 2.0. Netscape has announced it will incorporate Silicon Graphics' VRML 2.0 Cosmo Player VRML development tool into the upcoming release of Communicator (SGI also provides Cosmo Player as a plug-in for Navigator). Microsoft-whose own ActiveWorlds proposal was passed over in favor of Moving Worlds-will provide two VRML 2.0 browsers for Internet Explorer 3.0 based on Intervista's WorldView and Dimension X's Liquid Reality.
Unfortunately, these VRML browsers are not compatible products. Their user interfaces and features differ significantly, as does their ability to display both 2.0 and the older VRML 1.0 data formats properly. This is especially true for sites that use the popular, but nonstandard, Live3D VRML extensions.
Cyberspace homesteaders looking to create their own worlds will find more VRML development tools than ever before. Most-such as Paragraph's Internet3D Space Builder and Virtus' WalkThrough Pro-provide CAD-like tools to simplify object and scene creation. Others, such as SGI's UNIX-based Cosmo Worlds (which will be ported to NT by year-end), offer full suites of design and programming applications. Nonartists can also find libraries of predrawn objects from companies such as ViewPoint DataLabs.
From the Sublime to the Ridiculous
One of VRML's primary functions is to let you explore a virtual world. This can be entertaining and educational. For example, the virtual Smithsonian tour (http://www.si.edu), developed by Virtus, lets you walk through several exhibits. Click on pictures and objects to open HTML pages for detailed information.
Applying the same idea to business, Planet 9 Studios (http://www.planet9.com) develops virtual conference and trade-show facilities, including one for the recent VRML World Movers conference.
VRML's ability to let us view and manipulate objects-from the solar system to molecular bonding models to 3-D statistical business data-has made it a popular tool for educators and researchers. VRML may also prove to be one of the fastest, most compact ways to add multimedia special effects to traditional Web pages. Floops, an animated mascot designed by Protozoa for SGI, is a good example of the kind of high-impact, minimal-bandwidth content VRML can provide (http://vrml.sgi.com). Expect VRML multimedia effects to start competing with animated GIFs and Java effects. Zapa Digital Arts' free VRMaiL service (http://www.zapadigital.com/vrmail/vrmail.html), for example, lets you add animated VRML characters to your e-mail.
Finally, VRML will be a great foundation for entertainment sites running 3-D games and interactive chat rooms once additional issues-such as multi-user support, standards for avatars (digital representations of users), streaming audio and video, and more compressed data formats-are addressed. It won't be long before you're blasting or chatting your way through a VRML world.
VRML 2.0 -- Browsers, Plug-Ins And Helper Apps
Cosmo Player
Platforms: 95, NT
Price: Free download from Web site
Silicon Graphics
800-800-7441, 415-960-1980
Circle #854
Heat
Platforms: 95, NT
Price: Free download from Web site
Newfire
408-996-3100
Circle #855
Liquid Reality Composer
Platforms: Any Java-enabled platform
Price: Not yet set
Dimension X
888-369-5282, 415-243-0900
Circle #856
Microsoft VRML 2.0 for IE
Platforms: 95, NT
Price: Free with IE 4.0; will be available as free download from Web site
Microsoft Corp.
206-936-1152
Circle #857
Netscape Communicator
Platforms: 3.1x, 95, NT
Price: $59
Netscape Communications Corp.
415-937-3777
Circle #818
WIRL
Platforms: 95, NT
Price: $29
VREAM
773-477-0425, fax 773-477-9702
Circle #858
WorldView 2.0
Platforms: 95
Price: Free download from Web site
Intervista Software
415-543-8765
Circle #859
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Authoring Tools for VRML
Caligari Pioneer
Platform: 3.1x, 95, NT
Price: $179; download off Web site, $89
Caligari Corp.
800-351-7620, 415-390-9600
Circle #860
Cosmo Worlds
Platforms: NT
Price: Not yet set
Silicon Graphics
800-800-7441, 415-960-1980
Circle #861
Internet3D Space Builder
Platforms: 95, NT
Price: CD, $89.95; downloadable version, $69.95
ParaGraph International
800-810-0055, 408-364-7700
Circle #862
VRCreator 2.0
Platforms: 95, NT
Price: $99
VREAM
773-477-0425, fax 773-477-9702
Circle #863
WalkThrough Pro
Platforms: 3.1x, 95
Price: $495
Virtus Corp.
800-847-8871, 919-467-9700
Circle #864
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VRML Object Libraries
3D VRML Visions
Platforms: 3.1x, 95, NT
Price: $49.95
Acuris
800-OKACURIS, 215-493-4302
Circle #865
Viewpoint DataShop Premier
Platforms: 3.1x, 95, NT
Price: Library free at company Web site
Viewpoint DataLabs
800-DATASET, 801-229-3000
Circle #866
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Hardware Vendors Supporting VRML
3Dlabs
Will bundle SGI's Cosmo Player with its Permedia and Glint line of graphics processors.
408-436-3455, fax 408-436-3458
Circle #867
S3
Will use Intervista's World View technology to create and distribute a Navigator- and Internet Explorer-compatible browser optimized for S3 graphics.
408-588-8000, fax 408-980-5444
Circle #868
Port in the 3-D Storm
Windows Magazine, May 1997, page 194.
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