Backed by the Web3D Consortium, X3D enables compact browsers and extensible functionality.The Web3D Consortium has
launched the X3D open standard as a new-generation successor to VRML to bring
rich and compelling 3D graphics to the Web for a wide variety of applications
and devices. X3D (Extensible 3D) is an extensible standard that has been
developed by the Web3D Consortium with the strong backing of a number of leading
browser companies including blaxxun, Nexternet, OpenWorlds and ParallelGraphics.
First demonstrations of commercial X3D browsers will be shown at the SIGGRAPH
2001 exhibition at the Los Angeles Convention Center from August 14-16, with
first product shipments expected by the end of 2001.
X3D is being developed under the Web3D Consortium&singlequot;s
standardization process that provides full and open access to the specification
for interested companies and eventual submission to the International Standards
Organization (ISO) for ratification to provide long-term stability for Web3D
content and applications.
The X3D standard enables new opportunities for the
creation and deployment of visually rich 3D graphics, including small,
lightweight Web clients with advanced 3D capabilities, and the integration of
high-performance 3D into broadcast and embedded devices. X3D satisfies these
demanding applications by adopting an advanced componentized architecture that
enables extremely compact 3D clients. These clients can be extended with plug-in
components to create standardized profiles with the functionality to meet the
demands of sophisticated vertical applications. One of the first X3D profiles to
be demonstrated at Siggraph will include the "VRML 97" profile that provides
complete compatibility with existing Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML)
content.
The Web3D Consortium is working very closely with
the MPEG-4 group, and the X3D standard is intended to form the core of MPEG-4&singlequot;s
ongoing 3D integration activities. The Consortium is also working with the World
Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to tightly integrate X3D with other XML languages for
the Web. The X3D standardization work includes an extension registry to be
maintained by the Web3D Consortium that will enable any company to rapidly
innovate within a standards framework and ship extensions to X3D at any
time--but also to encourage and enable multiple companies to agree on common
extensions to guarantee widespread content interoperability.
"By forming the 3D profile of MPEG-4, X3D has
already allied with a stronger market force than VRML ever had," says Franz
Buchenberger, CEO of blaxxun. "blaxxun strongly supports X3D as it provides a
consistent graphics platform between Web and broadcast applications, becoming
the lingua franca of Web3D."
"X3D&singlequot;s extensibility is a powerful mechanism for
rapid innovation within a unique standards framework for multi-vendor
interoperability," says Connell Gallagher, president of ParallelGraphics. "We
expect new X3D plug-ins to be available on a quarterly basis to provide truly
state-of-the-art support for a broad range of applications from multiple browser
vendors --a significant advantage over many proprietary technologies which focus
on one vertical segment."
"The Web3D Consortium exists to leverage open
standards to grow the Web3D market," says Neil Trevett, senior vice president of
3Dlabs and president of the Web3D Consortium. "We encourage and invite any
company developing 3D browser software to discover how participating in the
standards process, and helping to drive the direction and development of X3D,
can increase business opportunities and momentum."
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