Putting 3D on the Desktop: VRML97 and Java3D
Anthony Steed
University College London
This is a talk I gave to the British Chapter of the ACM in late
February 1998. It gives a brief overview of VRML97 and Java3d, and
contrasts the two approaches. A main concern is to demonstrate the
similarities of the two specifications, and the illustrate areas
where there is overlap and scope for concerted effort.
Unfortunately there is no record of the question and answer
session after the talk.
Examples
- VRML Boids Demo
Requires VRML97 browser. Script
node Java support essential, Script node Javascript support
desirable. Tested on CosmoPlayer(2.0/2.1) in Netscape4.04 for
Win95. (Known not to work in CosmoPlayer2.1 in IE4.0 *)
Browse HTML | Source Code ZIP
- Java3D Boids Demo
Requires Java 1.2 capable browser,
java3D alpha02 or later. Tested on Solaris and Win95
Browse HTML | Source Code TAR
Slides
Note that the statement on Slide 22 about a "Time 0" browser shipping
with the Java3D alpha release is incorrect. However at least two
independent efforts to provide a VRML97 browser written in Java3D have
been announced on the Java3D mailing list .
Download the powerpoint slides ZIP
or browse the exported HTML version:
* For some strange reason, CP2.1 in IE4.0 loads
"BoidSet.class" but the initialize functions never gets called. The
release notes for CP2.1 don't give any hints. The same was true in
CP2.0 as far as I remember.
A.Steed@cs.ucl.ac.uk