3D on the Web Bernie Roehl December, 2000. Overview b What is Web3D? b Applications (why Web3D is...
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Transcript of 3D on the Web Bernie Roehl December, 2000. Overview b What is Web3D? b Applications (why Web3D is...
OverviewOverview
What is Web3D?What is Web3D? Applications (why Web3D is Applications (why Web3D is
important)important) History (where we’ve been)History (where we’ve been) Current Status (where we are)Current Status (where we are) The Future (where we’re going)The Future (where we’re going) Where does that leave you?Where does that leave you? Tech talk -- creating 3D web contentTech talk -- creating 3D web content
What is Web3D?What is Web3D?
Combination of two powerful Combination of two powerful forcesforces• the internetthe internet• 3D graphics3D graphics
The result: interactive, realtime The result: interactive, realtime 3D graphics delivered over the 3D graphics delivered over the webweb
Why now?Why now?
Until recently, there were two Until recently, there were two problems:problems:• slow computersslow computers• slow connectionsslow connections
Downloading 3D content took a long Downloading 3D content took a long timetime
Once downloaded, it ran very slowlyOnce downloaded, it ran very slowly Quality of the graphics was poorQuality of the graphics was poor
What’s Changed?What’s Changed?
Increased bandwidth into the homeIncreased bandwidth into the home• cable modemscable modems• DSLDSL
Increased processor speedIncreased processor speed• 1 ghz and beyond1 ghz and beyond
Graphics acceleratorsGraphics accelerators• installed on all new machinesinstalled on all new machines• able to provide fast, high-quality graphicsable to provide fast, high-quality graphics
ApplicationsApplications
E-commerceE-commerce• product visualizationproduct visualization• 3D virtual shops3D virtual shops• interactive demosinteractive demos• 3D “banner ads”3D “banner ads”
TrainingTraining• web-based training using interactive web-based training using interactive
3D3D
Applications (cont’d)Applications (cont’d)
GamesGames• multi-player, fully 3D (e.g. Sony multi-player, fully 3D (e.g. Sony
Everquest)Everquest) EntertainmentEntertainment
• streaming 3D animation (much lower streaming 3D animation (much lower bandwidth than video, can run full-bandwidth than video, can run full-screen, can have interactivity)screen, can have interactivity)
Social InteractionSocial Interaction• 3D chat spaces3D chat spaces
Applications (cont’d)Applications (cont’d)
EducationEducation• virtual “field trips”virtual “field trips”• distance education as well as on-distance education as well as on-
campuscampus• virtual “experiments” for physical virtual “experiments” for physical
sciencessciences• historical recreations for social scienceshistorical recreations for social sciences• 3D data visualization for various fields3D data visualization for various fields
Applications (cont’d)Applications (cont’d)
Collaborative design and Collaborative design and engineeringengineering• architecturearchitecture• product designproduct design• plant layoutplant layout• ergonomicsergonomics
HistoryHistory
In the beginning, there was VRML. In the beginning, there was VRML. And it was good. But not great.And it was good. But not great.
VRML 1.0 had an awkward scene VRML 1.0 had an awkward scene graph structure (inherited from graph structure (inherited from SGI’s OpenInventor)SGI’s OpenInventor)
VRML 2.0 (renamed VRML 97) fixed VRML 2.0 (renamed VRML 97) fixed that problem, but introduced that problem, but introduced othersothers
VRML 97VRML 97
ISO standard for 3D graphics on the webISO standard for 3D graphics on the web Lots of good ideasLots of good ideas Too many good ideas -- very difficult to Too many good ideas -- very difficult to
implementimplement Very large browsers (3 meg downloads!)Very large browsers (3 meg downloads!) Incompatibilities across Incompatibilities across
implementationsimplementations
Other problemsOther problems
Complexity of the spec made it an Complexity of the spec made it an expensive business to get intoexpensive business to get into
Players had to be free, so...Players had to be free, so... Companies tried to sell authoring Companies tried to sell authoring
toolstools• CosmoWorlds from SGICosmoWorlds from SGI• VR Creator from VREAMVR Creator from VREAM• many othersmany others
Problems (cont’d)Problems (cont’d)
Slow acceptanceSlow acceptance• players too large and buggyplayers too large and buggy• bandwidth too limited for “serious” contentbandwidth too limited for “serious” content• computers too slow to play content in computers too slow to play content in
realtimerealtime Therefore… no market for authoring Therefore… no market for authoring
toolstools Most companies withdrew from the Most companies withdrew from the
marketmarket
The Many Woes of CosmoThe Many Woes of Cosmo
The most influential players and The most influential players and tools came from Cosmo Software, a tools came from Cosmo Software, a division of SGIdivision of SGI
SGI hit money problems, sold off SGI hit money problems, sold off several divisions -- including Cosmoseveral divisions -- including Cosmo
Cosmo was bought by PlatinumCosmo was bought by Platinum Platinum hit money problems, got Platinum hit money problems, got
bought by Computer Associatesbought by Computer Associates
Whither Cosmo?Whither Cosmo?
Computer Associates essentially Computer Associates essentially abandoned Cosmo (but is still abandoned Cosmo (but is still buying up 3D companies)buying up 3D companies)
Engineers who worked on Cosmo Engineers who worked on Cosmo got snatched up (e.g. by Sony)got snatched up (e.g. by Sony)
CosmoPlayer and CosmoWorlds CosmoPlayer and CosmoWorlds were orphanedwere orphaned
Current State of VRMLCurrent State of VRML
VRML 97 was ahead of its timeVRML 97 was ahead of its time Modern computers have no problem Modern computers have no problem
with itwith it• (demo)(demo)
Several VRML vendors still around, Several VRML vendors still around, doing welldoing well• Blaxxun Interactive (Contact)Blaxxun Interactive (Contact)• Parallel Graphics (Cortona)Parallel Graphics (Cortona)• Sony (VRML multi-user systems)Sony (VRML multi-user systems)
The PresentThe Present
Chaos!Chaos! VRML is now just one of many VRML is now just one of many
competing technologiescompeting technologies Not clear which ones will be Not clear which ones will be
successfulsuccessful Market is still not growing as fast as Market is still not growing as fast as
companies are entering itcompanies are entering it Shake-out is inevitableShake-out is inevitable
33D Web Technologies D Web Technologies (3/13/00)(3/13/00)
33D Dreams (www.doitin3d.com)D Dreams (www.doitin3d.com) 3D Groove (www.3dgroove.com)3D Groove (www.3dgroove.com) Alice (www.alice.org)Alice (www.alice.org) Anfy 3D (www.anfy3d.com)Anfy 3D (www.anfy3d.com) Atomic 3D (www.atomic3d.com)Atomic 3D (www.atomic3d.com) Blaxxun3D (www.blaxxun.com)Blaxxun3D (www.blaxxun.com) Cult3D (www.cycore.com)Cult3D (www.cycore.com)
33D Web Technologies D Web Technologies (cont’d)(cont’d)
e3DNet (www.e3dnet.com)e3DNet (www.e3dnet.com) Flatland (www.3dml.com)Flatland (www.3dml.com) Fluid3D (www.oz.com/fluid3d)Fluid3D (www.oz.com/fluid3d) Gel (www.gel3d.org)Gel (www.gel3d.org) Genesis3D (www.genesis3d.com)Genesis3D (www.genesis3d.com) Hollywood3D (www.hollywood3d.com)Hollywood3D (www.hollywood3d.com) Java 3D (www.java.com)Java 3D (www.java.com)
33D Web Technologies D Web Technologies (cont’d)(cont’d)
Lightspace3d (www.ideaworks3d.com)Lightspace3d (www.ideaworks3d.com) MetaStream (www.metastream.com)MetaStream (www.metastream.com) Multipath Movies (www.bde3d.com)Multipath Movies (www.bde3d.com) NeMo (www.nemo.com)NeMo (www.nemo.com) OpenSpace3D (www.openspace3d.com)OpenSpace3D (www.openspace3d.com) Pulse3D (www.pulse3d.com)Pulse3D (www.pulse3d.com) PuppetTime (www.puppettime.com)PuppetTime (www.puppettime.com)
33D Web Technologies D Web Technologies (cont’d)(cont’d)
Realax (www.realax.com)Realax (www.realax.com) Scol (www.cryo-networks.com)Scol (www.cryo-networks.com) Shout3D (www.shout3d.com)Shout3D (www.shout3d.com) Vecta3D (www.vecta3d.com)Vecta3D (www.vecta3d.com) WorldUp (www.sense8.com)WorldUp (www.sense8.com) Zap (www.tgs.com)Zap (www.tgs.com) Plus...Plus...
33D Web Technologies D Web Technologies (cont’d)(cont’d)
Cortona Cortona (www.parallelgraphics.com)(www.parallelgraphics.com)
Contact (www.blaxxun.com)Contact (www.blaxxun.com) CosmoPlayer CosmoPlayer
(www.cosmosoftware.com)(www.cosmosoftware.com) … … and many others!and many others!
So What Happened to So What Happened to VRML?VRML?
Many of the systems above use Many of the systems above use VRML (but don’t call it that)VRML (but don’t call it that)
VRML is “under the hood” of VRML is “under the hood” of Java3D, X3D, MPEG-4, and many of Java3D, X3D, MPEG-4, and many of the proprietary systemsthe proprietary systems
Basic VRML “scene graph” concept Basic VRML “scene graph” concept is used by the vast majority of is used by the vast majority of systems out theresystems out there
Who Will Survive?Who Will Survive?
Good question!Good question! Market isn’t large enough for all those Market isn’t large enough for all those
companies to make itcompanies to make it Some (most!) will failSome (most!) will fail Those who survive will do Those who survive will do veryvery well well Stakes are highStakes are high New markets appearing soon (set top New markets appearing soon (set top
boxes, game consoles...)boxes, game consoles...)
Order from Chaos?Order from Chaos?
In theory, the Web3D Consortium exists In theory, the Web3D Consortium exists to push open standardsto push open standards
Largely ineffective, for a variety of Largely ineffective, for a variety of reasonsreasons
Their current effort is X3D, a successor Their current effort is X3D, a successor to VRMLto VRML
Much infighting about DTD’s, very slow Much infighting about DTD’s, very slow progressprogress
Proprietary solutions are pulling aheadProprietary solutions are pulling ahead
Current State of the ArtCurrent State of the Art
Several different approachesSeveral different approaches• Web browser plug-insWeb browser plug-ins• Plug-ins for other plug-insPlug-ins for other plug-ins
– RealPlayerRealPlayer– ShockwaveShockwave
• Standalone applicationsStandalone applications
Demo time!Demo time!
Blaxxun3DBlaxxun3D Shout3DShout3D MetaStreamMetaStream Cult3DCult3D Pulse3DPulse3D CortonaCortona Others...Others...
Blaxxun3DBlaxxun3D
55 55 kb Java appletkb Java applet Supports most of the VRML specSupports most of the VRML spec Full interactivity, fully Full interactivity, fully
programmableprogrammable Completely cross-platformCompletely cross-platform No plug-ins, nothing to installNo plug-ins, nothing to install Works great!Works great!
Shout3DShout3D
Small Java applet (size varies)Small Java applet (size varies) Supports most of the VRML specSupports most of the VRML spec Full interactivity, fully programmableFull interactivity, fully programmable Completely cross-platformCompletely cross-platform No plug-ins, nothing to installNo plug-ins, nothing to install ExtensibleExtensible Works great!Works great!
MetaStreamMetaStream
Puts 3D graphics on a Web pagePuts 3D graphics on a Web page Easy to use (3D Studio Max exporter)Easy to use (3D Studio Max exporter) Viewer must be downloaded and installedViewer must be downloaded and installed Viewer bundled with browsersViewer bundled with browsers No royaltiesNo royalties Clever incremental download technologyClever incremental download technology Downside: no interactivity (version 3.0 Downside: no interactivity (version 3.0
will fix this)will fix this)
Cult3DCult3D
From Swedish company “Cycore”From Swedish company “Cycore” Fast, lots of featuresFast, lots of features Big marketing push right nowBig marketing push right now Expensive to license ($3600 per Expensive to license ($3600 per
product line)product line) New version just releasedNew version just released One of the front runnersOne of the front runners
Pulse 3DPulse 3D
From Pulse NetworksFrom Pulse Networks ““Virtual Jay Leno”Virtual Jay Leno” Tightly integrated with 3D Studio MaxTightly integrated with 3D Studio Max Close ties with DiscreetClose ties with Discreet Supports streaming 3D animationSupports streaming 3D animation Very powerfulVery powerful Largish downloadLargish download
CortonaCortona
From Parallel GraphicsFrom Parallel Graphics Minimal download is 500 kbMinimal download is 500 kb Very fastVery fast Full support for VRMLFull support for VRML Lots of extensions (e.g. NURBS)Lots of extensions (e.g. NURBS) Good authoring tools (Internet Scene Good authoring tools (Internet Scene
Assembler, Internet Character Assembler, Internet Character Animator)Animator)
The Future - X3D?The Future - X3D?
X3D will happenX3D will happen By the time it’s designed and By the time it’s designed and
implemented, market will already implemented, market will already be very crowdedbe very crowded
Not clear what (if anything) it adds Not clear what (if anything) it adds to VRMLto VRML
May be too little, too lateMay be too little, too late
The Future - MPEG-4?The Future - MPEG-4?
MPEG-4 will happenMPEG-4 will happen Lots of big companies pushing itLots of big companies pushing it Uses VRML, H-Anim, etcUses VRML, H-Anim, etc Licensing issues still unclearLicensing issues still unclear Won’t be commercially available Won’t be commercially available
for at least a year (possibly longer)for at least a year (possibly longer) Authoring tools will be neededAuthoring tools will be needed
The Future (cont’d)The Future (cont’d)
Most likely scenario:Most likely scenario:• Short term…Short term…
– Market remains split between a few small Market remains split between a few small proprietary solutions (probably Cult3D, proprietary solutions (probably Cult3D, Pulse3D, MetaStream) plus Java appletsPulse3D, MetaStream) plus Java applets
• Medium term…Medium term…– Standards begin to take hold (particularly Standards begin to take hold (particularly
MPEG-4) and slowly displace proprietary MPEG-4) and slowly displace proprietary solutionssolutions
• Long term… who knows? :-)Long term… who knows? :-)
So where does that leave So where does that leave us?us?
Basic advice:Basic advice:• Don’t lock into any one technology yetDon’t lock into any one technology yet• Decide what the needs of your application Decide what the needs of your application
areare• Create your 3D content in 3D Studio MaxCreate your 3D content in 3D Studio Max
– reasonably powerful packagereasonably powerful package– almost all formats have 3D Studio Max almost all formats have 3D Studio Max
exportersexporters– can re-target content to different systems can re-target content to different systems
down the road if necessarydown the road if necessary
What to do nextWhat to do next
Start thinking how 3D can help Start thinking how 3D can help your web siteyour web site
Can be a major differentiatorCan be a major differentiator Good 3D content is compellingGood 3D content is compelling Interactivity leads to “stickiness”Interactivity leads to “stickiness”
Tech TalkTech Talk
How to create 3D web content:How to create 3D web content:• start with design!start with design!• create geometry (virtual objects)create geometry (virtual objects)• export to intermediate formatexport to intermediate format• animate and add interactivityanimate and add interactivity• polish (sound, text, surrounding polish (sound, text, surrounding
HTML)HTML)• convert to final format and publishconvert to final format and publish
DesignDesign
How can 3D help me convey my How can 3D help me convey my message?message?
What visual form should the 3D content What visual form should the 3D content take? (What is my metaphor?)take? (What is my metaphor?)
What kinds of 3D objects are needed?What kinds of 3D objects are needed? How will they move?How will they move? How will the user interact with them?How will the user interact with them?
Geometry CreationGeometry Creation
Use existing 3D modeling programsUse existing 3D modeling programs• 3D StudioMax3D StudioMax• LightwaveLightwave• TrueSpaceTrueSpace• MayaMaya• SoftimageSoftimage
Use whichever ones you’re most Use whichever ones you’re most familiar with (3D Studio Max familiar with (3D Studio Max veryvery popular for this)popular for this)
Exporting to Intermediate Exporting to Intermediate FormatFormat
Exporters are plug-ins to the 3D Exporters are plug-ins to the 3D authoring application that let it authoring application that let it save in a different formatsave in a different format
Converters are standalone Converters are standalone programs that read a standard programs that read a standard format and convert to an format and convert to an intermediate formintermediate form
Animation and Animation and InteractivityInteractivity
Can be created in 3D authoring Can be created in 3D authoring application and exportedapplication and exported
Can be created in a separate Can be created in a separate authoring tool (e.g. Pulse, Cult3D)authoring tool (e.g. Pulse, Cult3D)
Can be created using standard Can be created using standard Javascript (Blaxxun3D, Shout3D)Javascript (Blaxxun3D, Shout3D)
Advantages and disadvantages to Advantages and disadvantages to each approacheach approach
PolishingPolishing
Add sound, music if appropriateAdd sound, music if appropriate User actions should often have User actions should often have
soundsound Put in context by creating a Put in context by creating a
surrounding HTML pagesurrounding HTML page Add links to additional information Add links to additional information
pagespages
PublishingPublishing
Once everything is working, the Once everything is working, the content gets put on a standard content gets put on a standard web siteweb site
Users go to that web site to view Users go to that web site to view the content (possibly after the content (possibly after downloading an appropriate plug-downloading an appropriate plug-in)in)
The Content Creation The Content Creation TeamTeam
33D modelersD modelers• fairly specialized skillfairly specialized skill• different modelers know different different modelers know different
packagespackages• can also create 3D content from scanningcan also create 3D content from scanning• 3D “clip art” also available3D “clip art” also available
2D artists2D artists• probably already in-house for web page artprobably already in-house for web page art• generally use PhotoShop or PaintShop Progenerally use PhotoShop or PaintShop Pro
Content Creation Team Content Creation Team (con’td)(con’td)
Sound/music specialistsSound/music specialists• probably available in-houseprobably available in-house• must adapt skills to Web3D contextmust adapt skills to Web3D context
AnimatorsAnimators• often same as modelersoften same as modelers• must be able to design for interactionmust be able to design for interaction
ProgrammersProgrammers• Javascript, Java both commonJavascript, Java both common
Example 1 -- The ToasterExample 1 -- The Toaster
Geometry created in 3D Studio MaxGeometry created in 3D Studio Max Background modeled and then pre-Background modeled and then pre-
rendered (once with lights on, once rendered (once with lights on, once off)off)
Textures came from a library, Textures came from a library, everything else was created from everything else was created from scratch in Maxscratch in Max
Exported to VRML 97Exported to VRML 97
Toaster (continued)Toaster (continued)
Some cleanup required on the Some cleanup required on the exported VRML (easy to do with a exported VRML (easy to do with a text editor)text editor)
Animation handled with JavascriptAnimation handled with Javascript Final output is just VRML, viewed Final output is just VRML, viewed
using the Blaxxun3D viewer with using the Blaxxun3D viewer with HTML and JavascriptHTML and Javascript
Example 2 -- Forest WalkExample 2 -- Forest Walk
Forest created by Andrew Reitmeyer for Forest created by Andrew Reitmeyer for the VRML Dream projectthe VRML Dream project
Simply uploaded the VRML file to a web Simply uploaded the VRML file to a web site and wrote a short HTML page to site and wrote a short HTML page to use Shout3D’s “walk” viewer applet on use Shout3D’s “walk” viewer applet on itit
Total time -- 10 minutes!Total time -- 10 minutes! Building the forest itself took a bit Building the forest itself took a bit
longerlonger
Here’s the HTMLHere’s the HTML
<body bgcolor="#000000" text="#FFFFFF"><center>
<applet width=300 height=250 codebase="../common/shout3d" archive="shout3dClasses.zip" code="applets/WalkApplet.class"> <param name=src value="forest.wrl"></applet>
<br><i>Use the mouse to walk through the world</i></center></body>
Example 3 -- SciSatExample 3 -- SciSat
Content originally created in 3D StudioContent originally created in 3D Studio Imported into 3D Studio Max, exported Imported into 3D Studio Max, exported
to MetaStreamto MetaStream Uploaded it and wrote a short HTML Uploaded it and wrote a short HTML
page to view itpage to view it Backdrop of Earth orbit was pre-Backdrop of Earth orbit was pre-
rendered in Maxrendered in Max Total time -- five minutes, because Total time -- five minutes, because
we’re leveraging existing contentwe’re leveraging existing content
Here’s the HTMLHere’s the HTML
<head><title>Canada's SciSat</title></head><body bgcolor=#000000 text=#FFFFFF><center><embed name="metaviewer" type="application/metastream" pluginspage= "http://www.metacreations.com/metastream/viewer/" BgImg="earth_from_orbit.jpg" ui="black" logo="0" width="320" height="240" src="scisat.mts"></embed><p><em>Try dragging the satellite around</em><p><em>Drag with the CTRL key down to zoomin and out</em></center></body>
Key PointsKey Points
Simple 3D web sites can be easy Simple 3D web sites can be easy to createto create
Good 3D content can be Good 3D content can be compellingcompelling
You need to build a good teamYou need to build a good team Try to leverage existing 3D content Try to leverage existing 3D content
wherever possiblewherever possible
Contact InformationContact Information
These slidesThese slides• http://ece.uwaterloo.ca/~broehl/powerpoint/iweb.ppthttp://ece.uwaterloo.ca/~broehl/powerpoint/iweb.ppt
Bernie RoehlBernie Roehl• [email protected]@ece.uwaterloo.ca
VR StudiosVR Studios• www.vrstudios.comwww.vrstudios.com
Web3D ConsortiumWeb3D Consortium• www.web3d.orgwww.web3d.org