Web3D

Web3d was initialy the idea to fully display and navigate Web sites using 3D.

By extension, the term now refers to all interactive 3D content which are embeded into web pages html, and that we can see through a web browser.

Web3D Technologies usually require to install a Web 3D viewer (plugin) to see this kind of content.

Nowadays many formats and tools are available:

• VRML
• Java 3D
• 3DzzD (Web3D Java Software)
• WireFusion
• Shockwave
• Virtools
• X3D (extending VRML)
• Nova

They are mainly distinguished by 4 criterias:

• Simplicity(Automatic Installation, rates facilities already high)
• Compatibility(PC, Mac, Unix ..)
• Quality(Performances, see Frames per second, and indirectly display quality)
• Interactivity(Depending on the solutions, their programming opportunities, the creators of content have more or less freedom in the creation of interactivity.)

External links

• TDT3D European 3D Community : specialized in computer graphics and real-time 3D rendering (updated regularly).
• WEB3D-FR French Web 3D Community.