vrml

VRML (Virtual realityVirtual Reality Modeling Language, usually pronounced ''vermal'') is a standard file format for representing 3-D computer graphics3-dimensional (3D) interactive vector graphics, designed particularly with the World Wide Web in mind.

Format - VRML is a text file format where, e.g., vertexvertices and edges for a 3D polygon can be specified along with the surface color, image-mapped textures, specularityshininess, transparency (computing)transparency, and so on. URLs can be associated with graphical components so that a web browser might fetch a web-page or a new VRML file from the Internet when the user (computing)user clicks on the specific graphical component. Animations, sounds, lighting, and other aspects of the virtual world can interact with the user or may be triggered by external events such as timers. A special Script Node allows to add program code (e.g., written in Java programming languageJava or JavaScript (ECMAScript)) to a VRML file. VRML files are commonly called worlds and have the .wrl filename extensionextension (for example island.wrl). Although VRML worlds use a text format they may often be compressed using gzip so that they transfer over the internet more quickly. Most 3D modeling programs can save objects and scenes in VRML format.

Standardization - The Web3D Consortium has been formed to further the collective development of the format.The first version of VRML was specified in November 1994. This version was specified from, and very closely resembled, the Application Programming Interface and file format of the Open Inventor software component, originally developed by Silicon GraphicsSGI. The current and functionally complete version is VRML97 (ISO/IEC 14772-1:1997). VRML has now been superseded by X3D (ISO/IEC 19775-7).

Emergence, popularity, decline and rebirth - The term VRML was coined by Dave Raggett in a paper submitted to www94.web.cern.ch - The First International Conference on the World-Wide Web in 1994, and first discussed at the WWW94 VRML BOF established by Tim Berners-Lee, where Mark Pesce presented the Labyrinth demo he developed with Tony Parisi & Peter Kennard.VRML reached the height of its popularity after the release of VRML2 in 1997, when it was used on some personal homepages and sites such as CyberTown, which offered 3D chats. The format had been championed by SGI's Cosmo Software; when SGI restructured in 1998 the division was sold to Platinum Technologies, which was then taken over by Computer Associates, which did not develop or distribute the software. To fill the void a variety of short-lived proprietary Web 3D formats emerged over the next few years, including Microsoft Chrome, Adobe Atmosphere and Shockwave 3D, none of which are supported today. VRML's capabilities remained largely the same while realtime 3D graphics kept improving. The VRML Consortium changed its name to the Web3D Consortium, and began work on the successor to VRML - X3D. While VRML is still widely used, particularly in education and research where an open specification is most valued, it has now been superseded by X3D. The MPEG-4 Interactive Profile (ISO/IEC 14496) was based on VRML (now on X3D), and X3D is largely back-compatible with it. VRML is also still used as a file format for interchange of 3D models, particularly from CAD systems.

See also -

List of vector graphics markup languages

Comparison of vector graphics markup languagesShockwave 3D is a feature of Macromedia Director's authoring environment and is still actively used by developers.

Open source programs that can export VRML -

Wings 3D - 3D modeling software

Blender (program)Blender - 3D modeling, animation, rendering software

Open source VRML programs (external links) -

freewrl.sourceforge.net - FreeWRL VRML browser

xj3d.org - Xj3D VRML97/X3D browser/java loader

coin3d.org - Coin3D SDK, a software component supporting VRML97

openvrml.org - OpenVRML, a cross-platform VRML library

cybergarage.org - CyberX3D, C++ and Java libraries for VRML

csv.ica.uni-stuttgart.de - white_dune VRML97 editor

artofillusion.org - Art of Illusion 3D modeller with static VRML97 export

More external links -

xml.coverpages.org - VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) and X3D

web3d.org - VRML ISO/IEC 14772 standard document

web3d.org - Web3D Consortium

xml.com - Extensible 3D: XML Meets VRML

vcollab.com - VCollab, A strong VRML viewer for CAD/CAE data

thex3dxperience.com - The X3D Experience - an X3D/vrml showcase website

cic.nist.gov - VRML Plugin and Browser Detector (X3D Too)Category:Graphics standardsCategory:ISO standardsCategory:Markup languagesda:Virtual Reality Modeling !Languagede:VRMLes:VRMLfr:Virtu al? Reality Markup !Languagegl:VRMLnl:VRMLja:VRMLp l:VRMLpt:VRMLth:VRMLzh:VRML

ARPENTEUR, an ARchitectural PhotogrammEtry Network Tool for EdUcation and Research
ARPENTEUR, a simple photogrammetric tool dedicated to architecture and archaeology. A Photogrammetry Based Heritage Information System
http://www.arpenteur.net/

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Rockwerx
Climbing wall manufacturer
http://www.rockwerxclimbing.com/

Web3D Consortium
The home of the Web3D Consortium, this site includes the latest information on VRML and on all evolving VRML97 ISO Standard activities.
http://www.web3d.org

San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC)
The central nexus for the National Partnership for Advanced Computational Infrastructure. Publications, research, and news.
http://www.sdsc.edu/

VRMLSite Magazine
3D on the Internet.
http://www.vrmlsite.com