subject: Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) [print this page] VRML stands for Virtual Reality Modeling Language. It is literally capable of producing a virtual world, which you can download and explore from your browser, which supports these files types indeed, if you have version 3.0 of Netscape Navigator, then there is freebie, which comes with it in a subdirectory called Live3D. Many sites on the net now produce proper VRML images, and the latest version of the language and some of the models, which have been produced by various companies, are impressive. It should soon be possible to put on your VR helmet and wander around inside 3D worlds via the net. Of course people are already doing this, and you can have interactive battles with others via your VRML 3D interface.
There are obviously many spin offs from such technologies, not least in education, entertainment and genera business. You really do have complete control over the image, and are therefore able to view the image from an infinite variety of viewpoints. Think of the advantages that this would provide for companies like estate agents, architects or travel agents. However, the fidelity of such images still leaves a little to be desired. Nevertheless, such technology would have been unthinkable over a standard telephone line just a few years ago, and the advent of higher bandwidth system and faster computers can only make the realism more effective. .
#VRML V1: 0 ascii
Separator {
Info {
String "Created by Eyeball Production, Ltd. for Paper Software, Inc."
}
Info {
Sting "Netscape Logo is a trademark of Netscape Communications, Inc."
}
DEF BackgroundImage Info {
String "Starbak2.bmp"
}
#Setup Camera
PerspectiveCamera {
Position 0 -150 110
Orientation 1 0 0 1.57 #4.712389
FocalDistance 5
HeightAngle .5
#farDistance 1300
# NearDistance 1
}
DirectionalLight {
Direction 0 1 0 # Light shining from view into scene
The above VRML, language is controlling the image in real time, and responding to the menu setting and mouse clicks provided by the user. In other words, we are now making use of a browser originally intended to show simple HTML picture and text, and using it to explore complete worlds of some complexity. Notice we are now downloading actual software, which is controlling the browser and the computer. As newer versions of the language become available, and Java and complex 3D-rendering art packages come down in price, the future for the internet and web browsing looks very exciting indeed. To create an original VRML page you need to have access to a VRML editor such as Pioneer, for example. It's a very time-consuming business to produce convincing images, but the rewards are enormous for talented people who can master this exciting media innovation.
We have covered only a fraction of the feature of HTML here, but together with object oriented languages such as Java, web pages can simulate virtually any aspect of which the computer is capable. Indeed, with the advent of the network computer, the language Java is essential to its entire operation.
