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1. APPLICATIONS: projects, content implementations : 46 Items

1. APPLICATIONS: projects, content implementations

Let's start with what is already there for us to use and enjoy. It seems characteristic of Web3D that there's a lot of talk ABOUT it, but not so many that are actually authoring content.

Lately this appears to be changing with emerging new sophisticated, user-friendly tools for rich-media authoring. Web3D is no longer a hopelessly esoteric gimmick; major corporations are learning its value in the marketplace. Are we seing the beginnings of a virtual bonanza?

Entries are sorted in alphabetical order.

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• 3D Flight over Dolomites
  GeoVRML at its finest. Detailed draped scenery textures over elevation mesh
  Date added: 9/2/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  A virtual flight through the Dolomites that works very well. LOD implemented.
  Did not work in Opera, for some reason.
  Livedolomiti, le Dolomiti viste escusivamente attraverso immagini virtuali a 360°.
  
  
  
  
• ACTIVEWORLDS
  One of the classic virtual worlds. You will look like a plump tourist until you join. Oh well . . .
  Date added: 12/21/2004    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Proprietary browser required.
  
  "3D Virtual Reality Chat. Create your own 3D world, chat with others in Virtual Reality environments created by others and much more"
  
  
  
  
• CUBIC SPACE PROJECT GALLERY
  
  Date added: 9/20/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Production of x3d content, using Flux.
  
  
  
  
  
• Demicron - Interactive Web3D - Streaming Rich Media - VRML and X3D Viewer
  Demicron - Interactive Web3D - Streaming Rich Media - VRML and X3D Viewer
  Date added: 6/20/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Demicron® is a leading provider of Web3D solutions. By using Demicron's WireFusion™ technology companies can quickly create stunning 3D presentations for the web, and for multiple purposes, such as e-commerce, e-learning, computer based training (CBT), sales training, customer support, prototyping, architectural visualizations and virtual tours.
  
  
  
  
• Elven Forest 3D
  The elven forest using VRML Technology
  Date added: 11/12/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Really cool Russian VRML with starry mousetrail.
  On the Cortona Site-of-the-week.
  I wish that nice Elf had a wider repertoire!
  
  
  
  
• FromParis - Panoramas : virtual visit, panoramic views, photographs, Quicktime VR, 360°, free ecards and free screensavers from Paris
  Paris 360
  Date added: 9/25/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Prime quality QuicktimeVR presentation of Paris. A good illustration of the level of technical excellence attainable.
  
  
  
  

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• GeoVRML.org
  GeoVRML
  Date added: 9/28/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  GeoVRML is an official Working Group of the Web3D Consortium. It was formed on 27 Feb 1998 with the goal of developing tools and recommended practice for the representation of geographical data using the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML). The desire is to enable geo-referenced data, such as maps and 3-D terrain models, to be viewed over the web by a user with a standard VRML plugin for their web browser.
  
  
  
  
• Google Earth - Home
  Compelling global information system. Layered categorized information over virtual earth.
  Date added: 8/27/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Proprietary browser works well. This is possibly the dominant web3D application on the market today.
  The search-and-zoom feature works well. A few spelling errors in international placenames.
  
  "Want to know more about a specific location? Dive right in -- Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps and the power of Google Search to put the world's geographic information at your fingertips."
  
  
  
  
• H-Anim 1.1 Compliant VRML 97 Models
  Learn to build animated human avatars here.
  Date added: 9/20/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  It is well worth to keep an eye on the emergence of virtual humans in guise of H-anim, the accepted standard for humanoid animation. Quite a number of avatars to download here, to study, disect and see how things look on the inside. Be careful not to break bones and joints.
  
  
  
  
• Haptek, Inc.
  Good facial emotive animation, for kids and corporations alike. Admit it: it's fun.
  Date added: 11/3/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Haptek's virtual characters are, well, quite some characters. You do need the plug-in to see the virtual saleswomen- but it's worth the trouble! Go to the Corporate Section for a meeting with Ms. Sophistication, Incarnate. Very believable. Spin her around, and watch her hair fly. I want a secretary like this, with her foxy wit. To begin with you may want to download the free demo of "People Putty"
  
  "Haptek software creates photo-realistic, 3-D, full-bodied, fully animated, morphing and emotive characters in dynamic environments that visually and verbally interact with the user and with one another over the Internet, in real time and at virtually any bandwidth"
  
  "The best device to hold people’s interest is - other people. We human beings find ourselves endlessly interesting. In line with this truth, Haptek has created (and has patented) the only software which creates real-time, truly interactive, never repetitive, “artificial” people. Haptek’s Software Personalities creates automated, three-dimensional, interactive characters with real-time human emotions that can visually and verbally engage users over the Internet."
  
  
  
  
  
• Humanoid Animation and Avatars : The H-Anim standard with VRML & Java.
  Test your avatar
  Date added: 9/20/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Humanoid animation controlled by Java interface. Does not work on my Opera, or on IE. Does it work for you?
  
  "You can interactively model human animation on this web page with avatars that are compliant with the H-Anim standard with a Java enabled browser and a VRML plug-in -- other tools could be used -- but since they all strive towards platform independence, they are often used together.
  
  H-Anim is an open standard that is independent any of operating system software, computer hardware, and independent of any company.
  
  
  
  
• iCity Community
  Interactive virtual city. Animations of 'small people'
  Date added: 9/19/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This artist is good at animating elves and angels. Blaxxun interactive with javascript navigation tied to hotmap. Quite busy virtual community, although you should know Hebrew to socialize. Aesthetics and interface are well done.
  
  
  
  

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• iseemedia - Home
  Reality Studio- a bit dated, but still one of my favorite tools.
  Date added: 9/19/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Well organized asset browser along with extensive media integration makes this a snap to use.
  
  Lately focussed on handhelds and realestate marketing.
  
  The iseeMedia Imageserver makes zoomable 360 panoramas possible. Both java, plug-in, and activex viewers.
  
  "iseemedia is a software development company providing customers with dynamic and interactive, resolution-on-demand, rich media content and document delivery solutions for the Internet and Mobile networks."
  
  
  
  
• Italy 360 geopanos, Andrea Caporin
  Detailed draped scenery textures over elevation mesh, rendered at 360
  Date added: 9/2/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Access to several dozen virtual 360 panos through clickable map. Java viewer.
  
  
  
  
• ItalyeXplorer
  ItalyeXplorer - esplorazione virtuale del territorio italiano
  Date added: 3/4/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Virtual flight over all of Italy! Using Contact Browser VRML, LOD well applied, along with selective loading.
  
  
  
  
• Ivan´s Web3D Page
  Nicely designed technical applications of VRML with extended interactivity
  Date added: 9/4/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  ParallelGraphics has always excelled in scientific applications for VRML. These examples are quite impressive. I recommend viewing them with the latest version of Parallelgraphics browser, although they might also work with Bitmanagement ver.6.2
  
  
  The site demonstrates Web-friendly virtual reality technology, called Web3D, using the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML). It presents model of the Lunar Module including its inner structure and technical parameters. Also the design of rotary and jet engines and working model of ordinary lathe is presented using the same technique.
  
  
• Kaon Interactive : Solutions
  3D catalogues, interactive.
  Date added: 9/6/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Kaon is actively marketing its technology for online sales. Customers include Saab and Dell.
  Lately empracing 3D in Adobe, U3D application, that would be.
  
  
  Kaon's 3D Catalog is a brand new way to showcase your company's products on your web site. In addition to the product features, benefits, and specifications which you already share through fixed web pages or PDF files, the 3D Catalog brings your products to life in ways no other catalog ever could.
  
  Meson applications rely on the minimal Java 1.1 feature set, so they run on all platforms, and all browsers. The Meson applet is used to automatically deliver Kaon's Advisor client into the browser environment, and is the key to Kaon's unique FLASH+3D capability.
  
  
• ManyOne Networks
  Cybervisionary group, projecting to use the Emma player.
  Date added: 11/10/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Development has been underway for quite some time. The use of the Brazilian Lua, the opensource Ogre, in this emerging cybercommunity is promising. The visionaries have found support in major business corporations, government, as well as diehard '68er' idealists.
  
  It's refreshing to see someone out to chance the world . . .
  
  
  This Digital Universe is an intuitively organized, multimedia Web that will inform, educate, engage and involve people worldwide. A growing global alliance of researchers, scholars and experts are beginning to use ManyOne’s rich-media tools to convey knowledge in innovative and visually astounding ways.
  
  

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• Myst V | Ubisoft
  Official website for Myst V: End of Ages. An art, a civilization. A beginning, an end. An adventure.
  Date added: 10/21/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Myst is a classic fantasy adventuer game, beautifully designed. This site uses Flash to emulate the 3D interface. Their success illustrates the market's thirst for "wistful intimacy" and aesthetic values in gaming. Good place to go to learn appealing design in Web3D. Very appealing user interface.
  
  
  
  
• On-A-Slant Virtual Village in X3D - NSDU ATL
  Good example of use in Archaeology. Immersive exploration. View with Flux.
  Date added: 9/16/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  "The On-A-Slant Interactive X3D environments are created using Alias' Maya Unlimited - animation and visual effects software, and the RawKee open-source X3D plug-in for Maya."
  
  
  
  
• Panoramatechnologie- upscale German immersive 360 VR
  Professional German producer of VR.
  Date added: 10/12/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Deutshe SYSTEM UND GRUNDLICHKEIT. Combining Flash and QTVR these German designers bring Web3D to an upscale market, mostly hotels and conference sites.
  
  "virtual-surfers hat sich auf hochauflösende 360° Panorama Aufnahmen spezialisiert. Dabei liegt unser Schwerpunkt neben der Erstellung und Inszenierung der Panoramen auch auf der Konzeption und Umsetzung individuell gestalteter 360° Touren."
  
  
  
  
• Planet Jeff
  Unreal engine used seriously
  Date added: 3/22/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Fascinating example of how one can use Unreal Tournament game engine to produce Web3D content, scientific visualizations, interactive worlds (CAVE)
  
  
  
  
• PointWorlds Homepage
  VRML history
  Date added: 12/2/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Thanks to Blaxxun, the ancient Worlds can still be seen here.
  One possibility for free publishing and testing of prototypes using classic vrml.
  
  
  
  
• Portugal Tour in 360º images
  Portugal Tour. More than 1200 online panorama 360° images of all important aspects of Portugal geography and coltural landscape. Maps and plans helping online navigation.
  Date added: 11/16/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  A fine showcase of applied QTVR, some with VR objects.
  The access interface is attractive and well organized around interactive maps at varying levels of detail. There is, in some of the areas, a working navigation implementation where positions and viewpoint on the map is tied to the 360 panorama and its orientation. This is still rather rare but clearly worth implementing since one of the major problems with Web3D is the visitors' disorientation in a virtua world without intuitive means of navigation.
  
  There are also good links, mostly QTVR related sites.
  
  
  
  
  

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• RealBiz 360 - Welcome to RealBiz360
  
  Date added: 9/19/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  RealBiz uses Iseemedia's Imageserver to present 360 interactive, zoomable panoramas of realestate. An example of partnering in marketing.
  
  
  
  
• Right Hemisphere - Product Graphics Management
  The main developer of the U3D rendering engine.
  Date added: 11/25/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Bedfellow with Adobe, and other industry giants, aerospace and military moguls.
  This is possibly the main competitor to X3D standardizations.
  
  
  
  
• Second Life: Your World. Your Imagination.
  SecondLIfe- the fastest growing virtual reality site on the Web. A booming virtual economy.
  Date added: 9/27/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Now free, with a booming virtual economy. But up-to-date hardware is needed. I have been unable to get very far in my Second Life with my modest laptop.
  
  Second Life debunks the myth of "Death by Plug-In". Despite high demands on hardware, computer savvy, and a high and steep learning curve for those with creative ambitions, business is booming, and skilled entrepreneurs are turning a real profit from sales of virtual wares.
  
  The potentials for richness and intensity of experience seem to attract a crowd hungry for something beyond the trivial and commonplace.
  
  
  
  
• SenseGraphics AB - Products and Services
  Open Source Haptics
  Date added: 11/15/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Haptics (relating to or proceeding from the sense of touch) is yet another field that is being pioneered, often as an extension to X3D.
  
  Of course, this area still appears hopelessly esoteric and science-fiction-like to us mere mortals.
  
  
  H3D API
  World's first X3D based haptic API, built from the ground up from more than 10 years of experience in writing haptic software development tools. H3D API takes advantage of OpenGL accelerated hardware for graphics rendering.
  
  SenseGraphics AB is a privately owned company based in Stockholm, Sweden. It was founded in June 2004 by four former employees of Reachin Technologies; Johan M. Beskow, Mark Dixon, Daniel Evestedt and Tommy Forsell.
  
  
• Simulations Virtual Geography
  syncretistic simulation methods in GIS
  Date added: 7/8/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Illustrates a good number of ways in which a virtual model may be constructed from georeferenced data, and some imagination.
  Fine examples of re-imagining the world
  
  
  
  
• Spine3D - Advanced Visualization Studio - VR Tours
  Spine3D is a leading 3D visualization Company that specializes virtual tours of unbuilt projects for the US Real Estate industry
  Date added: 9/26/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Upscale content developer in Web3D. Compelling portfolio.
  
  
  
  

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• Synthetic Environments for Emergency Response Simulation
  Synthetic Environments for Emergency Response Simulation
  Date added: 3/29/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  "We are investigating several game development software programs for the use of developing a video game in which emergency first responders will be challenged to react to scenarios involving mass casualities, bioterrorist attacks, plane crashes and fire."
  
  "We are using 3d Studio Max for character modeling, MultiGen Creator for terrain development, and we are assembling it all together in a game mod of Unreal Tournament 2004. Through our attempts to make sense of these programs, we have spent countless hours sifting through the the forums, the tutorials, the manuals and the how-to books."
  
  
  
  
• The Art of Jeffrey K. Bedrick - 3D Art Gallery
  Well done classic VRML
  Date added: 4/10/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Some of these Worlds are well worth revisiting for elegant solutions to limited bandwidth.
  Classic VRML art!
  
  
  
  
• The Celestia Motherlode: Home
  The Celestia Motherlode is a site based on Celestia, a free, 3-D, real-time space simulator. It is a place for the Celestia community to catalog, publish and maintain Celestia resources.
  Date added: 11/21/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  The Celestia Motherlode is a repository for various addons like textures, models or celestial objects for Celestia. Celestia is a free, interactive (real-time), 3D astronomy program.
  
  
  
  
• The Khronos Group: Open Standards, Royalty Free, Dynamic Media APIs
  The Khronos Group promotes the deployment and development of open standard APIs to enable authoring and playback of dynamic media on a wide variety of platforms and embedded devices. Current APIs are OpenGL ES, OpenML, OpenMAX, OpenSL ES, and Collada.
  Date added: 10/23/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Porting OgenGL to handheld devices, this company joins a hot emerging market.
  Web3D is already being embedded in a variety of devices.
  
  "OpenGL® ES is a royalty-free, cross-platform API for full-function 2D and 3D graphics on embedded systems - including handheld devices, consoles, appliances and vehicles. It is a well-defined subset of desktop OpenGL, creating a flexible and powerful low-level interface between software and graphics acceleration."
  
  
  
  
• The Riviera in Full Screen QTVR's
  A photograpic journey through all the cities and villages of the French and Italian Riviera shown in 360-degree panoramas.
  Date added: 11/12/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Now it has come to this . . .
  These panoramas are so good that you don't need to go there for "real".
  
  
  
  
• The temple of Death
  Fine Italian example of interactive 3D artistry. For Blaxxuun or Contact browsers only.
  Date added: 9/18/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This classic adventure world has unusually well made textures.
  Walk to the pyramids and look for hidden levers on the area. Things pull and slide and reveal mystical labyrinths and potent deities.
  
  
  
  
  

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• Tour3D - Museo Virtual de Estética - Universidad del Norte
  Interesting 3D VRML tour of art museum
  Date added: 9/4/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Advice: wait a bit until you hit the "viewpoint tour" in Contact browser- or you are likely to crash.
  Synched navigation map on the side, done in Flash, works sometimes.
  
  
  
  
• Views of the Earth - Home page
  Views of the Earth artificial realistic earth views rendered with POV-Ray using free satellite data
  Date added: 8/3/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Virtual flight as a tourist portal to the Aeolian Islands
  Italian application of VRML. Virtual flight with LOD applied to large terrain.
  Date added: 9/16/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Islands are draped with detailed aerial photos over digital elevation data. Looks good, but requires quite a large download. Well worth a visit to these exotic islands at the tip of the Italian boot.
  
  I would take this down to streetlevel and into the shops and markets and hostels. It has indeed been done at the island of Lippari, with QTVR, though not well synched to map/aerial photo. Somewhat interactive, but still lacking the immersive, intimate dimension.
  
  "The 3D model is a part of a touristic web portal about Aeolian Islands.
  This website will have a lot of informations about the 7 islands: descriptions, images, 360 degree panoramas (more than 500 immersive images) and much other."
  
  
  
  
  
  
• virtual lubljana
  Virtual Town Ljubljana
  Date added: 9/4/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Extensive work in traditional vrml, shows Lubljana in a way that inspires you to visit.
  Phototextured geometry, painstakingly registered. Should have hotspots to make reservations, interact with the locals . . . where are the PEOPLE???
  
  Did not work in Opera, but did in IE, and Firefox
  
  
  
  
• Virtual scenes - Peter Murphy
  To learn 360 panoramic techniques- this is a prime place to look.
  Date added: 10/9/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Accomplished Australian VR photographer. Also Info. on Helmut Dersch's Panorama Tools.
  
  
  
  
• Virtual Tourism
  Various implementations, mostly traditional VRML, virtual tourism.
  Date added: 9/28/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  One example of the usefulness of the sharing folks at vterrain.org.
  
  
  
  

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• Virtual Warfare simulation by the US Armed Forces.
  
  Date added: 9/16/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  The military has long since realized the value of 3D virtual environments for simulation and training.
  
  
  
  
• wdgps_VTP_Project
  Virtual terrain, recent project, French, quite concrete, for a change.
  Date added: 2/20/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  French virtual terrain project, high-end realtime visualizations.
  
  
  
  
• Web Links - blaxxun.com
  Listing of Worlds using Blaxxun technology
  Date added: 9/19/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  These worlds are mostly empty of avatars now, but interesting in a historical sense.
  
  
  
  
• Web3dart.org/
  
  Date added: 1/11/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Genuinely interesting site showing the best entries in Web3D, year by year.
  Absolutely worth a visit!
  
  
  
  
  

2. LEARNNG: gentle introductions, advanced techniques, pragmatic tutorials

Getting into Web3D can be a confusing and frustrating experience. The tools are, by the very nature of the content, very complex, requiring more time and patience to learn than traditional 2D applications.

3D Studio Max and Maya are the traditional favorites, but there are several free or almost-free alternatives that are viable. Lately we see the free, and open source Blender getting long-deserved attention, along with the dynamic and innovative Softimage XSI. New tools and utilities are mushrooming everywhere at a rate that makes it impossible to keep track.

Regardless: your major investment will be your sustained effort in learning to USE these daunting tools. Here below are some resources that I have found useful in learning to get somewhat familiar with the virtual toolbox. Many of these are offered freely both in traditional written form, and now increasingly as video tutorials.

It stands to reason: if your site offers the best resources for learning Web3D, then there will be no lack of prospective customers for other related services or goods. Altruism sometimes proves to be a real good business practice!

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• 14.1. Making a high quality MPEG-4 ("DivX") rip of a DVD movie
  tutorial for making MPEG-4
  Date added: 10/14/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  technical nuts and bolts, but clearly written.
  nix bias, matroska, muxing, deals with conversion of many formats.
  
  
  
  
• 3D On The Web: CHEAP!!!: Songs in 3D: Making a Simple X3D Sequencer
  Len Bullard's substantial discussion of interactive multimedia X3D
  Date added: 4/13/2007    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  A rather rambling, but useful blog on X3D multimedia scripting.
  
  
  
  
• 3D Tutorial.com
  Softimage XSI Training Videos, 3D Software Education.
  Date added: 10/6/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Excellent selection of video training materials. XSI, 3DS, etc.
  
  
  
  
• 3D World Simulation - Martin Baker EUCLIDEANSPACE!
  This site aims to hold all the information needed to build programs which display 3D simulations and games. There is theory about 3D modeling, animation and physics, and there are tutorials. There is a 3D editor program which can be extended to experiment with the topics covered here.
  Date added: 9/28/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  EuclideanSpace - building a 3D world
  Good source for background foundational skills in math. Quite scholarly oriented, but accessible.
  If you want some formal insight in what is going on behind the screen, then look here.
  
  
  
  
• A Guide to VRML 2.0
  Clear commented code illustrated with working examples
  Date added: 9/15/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  The syntax of VRML is different from most programming languages- it's declarative in describing a world hierarchy in the scenegraph.
  
  Time invested in learning classical VRML is not wasted. Much of the syntax and vocabulary is used in emerging x3D and mpeg-4. I find it useful to read through a number of different tutorials instead of just one. This one is not a bad place to start.
  
  
  
  
• Adobe - Developer Center : Handling cue points for audio files in ActionScript 2.0 and ActionScript 3.0
  Audio cues in Flash
  Date added: 12/18/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  no video content, or direct custom sound class with cuepoints search enabled.
  
  
  
  

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• After Effects 101--A CreativeCOW Video Tutorial by Andrew Kramer
  
  Date added: 10/9/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  After Effects 6.5 introduction, well done in Flash, streaming
  
  
  
  
• ai-junkie: Programming Game AI by Example
  genetic algorithm tutorial in plain english
  Date added: 11/19/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  AI or die. Ai-junkie exposes the spirit and soul of artificial intelligence (an oxymoron?) Useful for writing non-trivial computer games.
  
  
  
  
• Alias Community
  Introductory course to Maya, level 101
  Date added: 10/20/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Maya is a huge program, but fortunately there is no lack of good tutorials.
  This is a good place to get started, first with this animated introduction to the basic terms of 3D.
  From there we can go on to more Maya-specific skills.
  
  
  An introductory college course often includes the number "101" in its name to show that it covers information that's essential to the proficient understanding of a topic. We took our cue from educators to bring you "3D-101".
  
  This glossary will be your guide along the path to understanding terms used in 3D computer graphics (CG) as they apply to Alias software products.
  
  
• Beginner’s Guide to UnrealEd version 2
  Intro to Unrealed 2
  Date added: 4/23/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Unrealed 2, icons explained, first steps
  
  
  
  
• Blender Artists
  Learn from the folks actually USING Blender
  Date added: 4/11/2007    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Good place to learn Blender.
  
  
  
  
• Book TOCs:Cpp Coding Standards - BlackCompanyCoding
  An extensive list of points concerning C++ design/programming wisdom
  Date added: 11/25/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  BlackCompany, Scottish game developers using Lua and C++.
  Clean and helpful design philosophy pointed to here.
  
  
  
  

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• C++ Language Tutorial
  Free online tutorial for the beginner
  Date added: 11/22/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  A good place for beginners to get into C++, IMHO
  If you are serous about developing apps in Web3D, you eventually will need some literacy in C++, along with scripting tools, and of course some familiarity with rendering engines.
  
  
  
  
• Carrara 5 Tutorial - Free Carrara 5 Tutorials about motion paths, custom plants and 3D modeling
  Free Carrara 5.1 Pro tutorials. Beginner and advanced tips, tricks and tutorials for motion paths, plant modeling, custom plant creating, and 3d modeling.
  Date added: 12/31/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Quicktime carrara tutorials, professionaly done.
  
  
  
  
• Community MX - About Robert Reinhardt
  Flash tutorials and advice from a certified expert.
  Date added: 2/4/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Robert knows what he's writing about, and also how to get his insights across. Dozens of entries here - and illustrious Flash examples. Particularly valuable in the area of FLV video deployment.
  
  
  
  
  
• Contact Examples of extended vrml effects
  Many examples of what Bitmanagement can do.
  Date added: 10/18/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  The Developers' area of German Bitmanagement's site is a good place to learn about the emerging refinements in 3D rendering. Some of the effects demonstrated here are amazing.
  
  Still, the number of content developers who are able to use these advanced techniques in practice remains small.
  
  Bitmanagement is also a pioneer in the emerging field of interactive streaming MPEG-4.
  
  
  
  
• Cprogramming.com: How to Get Started with C++
  A beginner's guide to learning C++ - answers questions about C++, basic programming, and how to think about programming.
  Date added: 3/15/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  At one point you WILL learn C++.
  You might as well look here to get going.
  
  
  
  
• Creating a Video with Synchronized Captions in Macromedia Flash 8 > Planning the Projects
  cue points in VP6 flash clips can be used for subtitling, interactive learning
  Date added: 3/15/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Essential technique for using FLV in language learning.
  
  
  
  

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• CreativeCow.Net's Article Library: Sort By Author: Andrew Kramer
  Andy's a good teacher in Flash tutorials
  Date added: 10/16/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  These Flash Tutorials stream nicely, and are well done
  
  
  
  
• css/edge
  learn the art of CSS design here
  Date added: 5/19/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  CSS, used like the examples here show, makes for attractive design.
  
  
  
  
• deconcept › SWFObject: Javascript Flash Player detection and embed script
  SWFObject
  Date added: 12/20/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  A very flexible and stable way to work with Flash in DHTML, and potentially with X3D/SAI/EAI
  
  
  
  
• developerWorks: Ajax how-to articles, tutorials, and community support for developers
  The Ajax resource center provides a one-stop shop for Web developers seeking information on the Ajax programming model. The center provides a snapshot of all the Ajax and Web 2.0 related activities on developerWorks, including articles and tutorials, discussion forums, blogs, events, and news.
  Date added: 10/14/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  IBM is back, Ajax style. Also estoteric Ontology Web Languages. . .
  
  
  
  
• Digital-Tutors :: Home
  Video tutorials, XSI.
  Date added: 4/4/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Active user community. Creative animation resources.
  One of the most popular sources for video tutorials for mainstream 3D programs.
  
  
  
  
• Donzas.com: Tutorials
  Good pdf turorials for Blaxxun and Flux
  Date added: 3/29/2007    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• e frontier America, Inc. - Training - Tutorials - Poser - Animation
  Poser Animation 100- Getting Started Poser Animation 101- the Keyframe and Graph Palettes Digital Sleight-of-Hand: Changing Prop Parenting in Animations Animating Material Room Textures Introducing Actions In Mid-Walk Making Windblown Hair Quick Tip: Smooth Looping Animation That Matrix Thing You Do
  Date added: 7/17/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Series of tutorials on creating animations in Poser.
  Poser is worth considering since it handles bvh motion well.
  
  
  
  
• EdHarriss.com A collection of Eds Work and SOFTIMAGE|XSI Resources
  Visit www.EdHarriss.com for the latest news, products, and tutorials for Softimage Co.
  Date added: 4/6/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  XSI, lost of expertise, tutorials, long time user of softimage
  
  
  
  
• eXtropia | Appendix A: CGI Programming Techniques in Perl
  selena sol writes a very readable ABC of perl
  Date added: 7/12/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Unusually clear first introduction to Perl
  
  
  
  
• First steps to learning Perl
  decent perl tutorial
  Date added: 7/11/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Another clearly written intro to Perl
  
  
  
  
• Flash MX Sound Object Tutorial by Kenny Bellew
  variables control Flash MP3 playback
  Date added: 6/20/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  potential use for dynamic playing via X3D/ Flux / SAI
  
  
  
  
• Flash MX Sound Object Tutorial by Kenny Bellew II
  step by step tutorial on preloading mp3
  Date added: 6/20/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• Flash Reference Guide > Using The ExternalInterface Class
  using the flach external interface for talking to eg. the web page
  Date added: 9/11/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  A number of Flash tutorials found here. Clearly written for the novice.
  
  
  
  
• Floppy's Web3D Guide - Tutorials
  Guide to the world of VRML, with one of the best tutorials on the web.
  Date added: 11/2/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Step by step well written lessons in using VRML. Most would be helpful even after transiting to X3D
  
  
  So, you want to create some cool 3D graphics for the internet, do you? Well, this is the place to learn. There are many technologies that can do that, but a great place to start is VRML. It's completely open, completely free, and anybody can put VRML pages online. Besides which, it'll teach you all the basics of 3D graphics as well.
  
  
• Getting Started with Lua
  Good introduction to Lua
  Date added: 11/18/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  
• GUYA.NET » 2006 » July
  lucid discussion of "AJAX" pipe for Flash
  Date added: 12/20/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Getting variables into Flash with getQueryParamValue in SWFObject
  
  
  
  
• How can I do marks on map of allocation of wievpoint?
  Syncronizing your 3Dd world to a map.
  Date added: 9/2/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This discussion offers valuable insight on altarnative techniques for displaying your position on a 2D map (Flash) on the side, or on a 3D layer.
  
  Again, Frensh expertise, Cecile Mueller, Strassbourg. She is also developing demos for the new MPEG-4 browser from Bitmanagement. She clearly knows how to code Web3D.
  
  
  Yes the simplest is to use a proximitysensor that sends the X-Y position to the flash scene, which calculate to which x-y pixel in the 2d it matches.
  You could also use a Layer3D for doing it simpler (and in 3D).
  
  
• IcyNorth
  Icynorth makes utilites centered on Lua and Autoplay Media Studio
  Date added: 11/25/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Also active forums discussing LUA development
  
  
  
  

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• Kidz Online -Online 3D course using Caligari trueSpace 3.2
  Kidz Online(KOL), a federally-funded, nonprofit organization, combines the concept of peer-to-peer training with a web-based content delivery system, providing a fascinating and innovative new way to integrate technology into the classroom. Throughout this site, you'll find free videos and free lesson plans that will give you a new insight into using technology.
  Date added: 12/2/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  trueSpace 3.2 is still a good choice for beginners in 3D design.
  These streaming videos are made for "kids" - I'd say kids ANY age.
  
  
  
  
• LSCM UV Mapping a Human Head
  
  Date added: 4/9/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Using Blender, clear step by step procedure for unwrapping human head, making it ready for 'painting' in Photoshop
  
  
  
  
• Making of X3Diamond
  Good essay on the making of a virtual diamond, displayed in Contact using a full range of rendering effect.
  Date added: 10/18/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Interesting to learn his choice of tools- several free.
  
  
  
  
• Material Baker
  Zbrush script for creating baked textures
  Date added: 10/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Texture baking in Zbrush is explained step by step. Free Zscript for creating texture baked UV maps.
  
  
  
  
• nice readable vrml cube!
  Charming and simple 3D interface
  Date added: 8/29/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Sometimes simple tricks work the best.
  
  Study the coding for this interactive cube to learn the basics of interactive 3D.
  
  Naturally, the disenchandted tables could easily be replaced by photos, animated GIFs, even video sequences with sound, etc, etc.
  
  
  
  
• PhilC Designs Ltd --- Animation Editing
  Contains quality resources by PhilC for Metacreations and Curious Lab Poser versions 3 and 4. Characters, Poseable clothing, Props, Textures and Tutorials. 3D computer model. Many free downloads.
  Date added: 4/9/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Importing "foreign" BVH to Poser, and fixing translation (height correction)
  Streaming video tutorials
  
  
  
  

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• Regexp Tutorial - Character Classes or Character Sets
  Regular expressions
  Date added: 4/16/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Regex, regexp- useful to parse .obj files and change texture mapping on the fly.
  Perl is still very much alive in this area.
  
  
  
  
• Regular expression - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  perl wiki
  Date added: 11/25/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  concise but readable Perl primer
  
  
  
  
• SAI Tutorial
  Knowing SAI becomes essential if you want significant immersive interactivity
  Date added: 9/20/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Clear step by step examples of SAI (Scene Authoring Interface)
  In VRML the name of the game is EAI (External Authoring Interface)
  
  
  The X3D Scene Authoring Interface (SAI) is an application programming
  interface (API) for the X3D scene graph. SAI scripts will work for
  Script nodes inside the scene, external applets outside the scene in a
  Web page, Java and EcmaScript (i.e. JavaScript), and for additional
  language-independent scripting via XML's Document Object Model (DOM).
  SAI profiles for GeoVRML, H-Anim, DIS-Java-VRML and NURBS are included.
  
  
• Seamless 3D tutorials
  Seamless 3D is an amazingly powerful FREE modelling and animation package.
  Date added: 9/25/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Also free download of Seamless3D, which imports Blaxxun avatars.
  
  Seamless offers very detailed control all the way to the vertex level, and its handling of animation and solid handling of the new X3D makes it worth considering.
  
  Also does a good job of importing Avatar Studio avatars, translating them to single mesh, standard pose.
  
  
  
  
  
  When you invest your time in using seamless3d you know your time is well spent learning a sophisticated tool designed by someone who has high quality 3d real time animation as a priority not compromised by profit. It was the very code that was developed to create techuelife island that evolved to the program we know today as Seamless3d, a program that now has a practical interface designed to be both logical and intuitive and one that offers a high degree of control over the final outcome of every single vertex.
  
  
• Skeletons and Mesh Skinning
  Okino Computer Graphics
  Date added: 10/21/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Very good introductory tutorial to get started with animating h-anim
  The Okino site is full of helpful information, especially in the challenging area of file format conversion.
  
  
  For more than a decade and a half Okino has set the standards and provided the toolsets to translate & re-purpose complex data assemblies and scenes between all major CAD, DCC (animation) and VisSim packages.
  
  
• SOFTIMAGE::Education::Learning Resources::Tutorial Bank
  Tutorials at the XSI Softimage site. Fresh on ver. 5.1 - hard to find.
  Date added: 4/5/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Softimage tutorials
  
  
  
  

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• SOFTIMAGE| XSI Rendering and Lighting Tutorials
  Amazing collection of tutorials for XSI
  Date added: 4/6/2007    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Ed Harris is a renowned XSI guru
  
  
  
  
• Terracollines - Mojoworld links
  Terragen and Mojoworld virtual landscapes by Olivier Cousinou aka Hillrunner
  Date added: 5/6/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  good tutorials on MojoWorld
  
  
  
  
• TerraConv examples
  Convert and edit Terragen files
  Date added: 5/6/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Examples of how roads may be created over a Terragen landscape
  
  
  
  
• The Complete Idiot's Guide to JavaScript, Table of Contents
  Pretty good online Javascript reference
  Date added: 12/20/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Well written, get the quick info on a function or object here, including syntactic examples, for the complete idiot, not you.
  
  
  
  
• The VRML EAI FAQ
  VRML EAI enables 3d VRML virtual worlds tobe controlled from progams or scripts with the Exernal Authoring Interface,the EAI FAQ anwsers how programmers can extend the capabilities of the VRML plug-in.
  Date added: 11/13/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Good intro to EAI
  
  
  
  
• The VRMLworks
  The VRMLworks. Dated but decent introduction to vrml.
  Date added: 9/17/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Bob Crispen is a well known, well beloved Rev. of VRML.
  His sermons on Web3D are not only informative, but entertaining as well.
  We need someone to do this with today's technology!
  
  
  
  The technology that's making it happen today is Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML). You can get started on the 3D Web right now. That's what the VRMLworks is here for -- from picking a free browser, to visiting some of the worlds and virtual communities on the Web, to building your own worlds, to populating those worlds with free 3D models, to books, tutorials, tools, and resources, the VRMLworks is here to help.
  
  

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• Tutorials - Artificial Intelligence Depot
  AI community where everyone interested in artificial intelligence can discuss news, exchange ideas and research information.
  Date added: 11/23/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  The AI depot offers a wide selection of introductory articles and tutorials on AI
  
  
  
  
• Tutorials : Poser
  
  Date added: 4/9/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Useful info on UV mapping, texturing in Poser.
  
  
  
  
• UDN - Two - UnrealEdInterface
  
  Date added: 10/21/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  official guide to Unreal ED, illustrated
  
  
  
  
• UnrealEd - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  Good intro to UnrealEd, useful links further.
  Date added: 3/22/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Another intor to the ever-evasive UnrealEd.
  
  
  
  
• Unrealed 2 Tutorials
  Tutorials for UnrealEd 2
  Date added: 4/1/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  More Unrealed tutorials. Written in clear concise English (for a change . . )
  
  
  
  
• UnrealEdMax - Maximum Unreal Editor 2 Tutorial Content- Tutorial Index
  UnrealEd Tutorial
  Date added: 4/1/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This tutorial is for those who wish to go beyond the bare beginnings of the forbidding UnrealEd Editor.
  
  
  
  

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• Using prototype.js v1.4.0
  Prototype.js documentation
  Date added: 12/23/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Read this if you are just beginning to use Prototype.
  
  
  
  
• VRML Tutorial
  Well organized and easy to navigate reference for VRML
  Date added: 9/6/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  
• VRML Tutorials
  
  Date added: 4/17/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Expect some serous fleshing-out here on the famous Web3D.org site tutorials section.
  Still somewhat abstract and plagued by pseudo-code, but that will change, of course.
  While there, don't forget to look around for X3D resources and news as well!
  
  
  
  
• VRML Tutorials @ Lighthouse 3D
  Vrml tutorials, well written
  Date added: 5/2/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Just enough detail here, in plain language, with many illustrations. Good place for reference as you build.
  
  
  
  
• VRMLworlds.com
  Interactive 3d worlds using vrml technology.
  Date added: 11/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  good tutorials found here
  
  
  
  
• Welcome to Outland. Off the beaten path...
  terragen stuff
  Date added: 8/17/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  very good insight on texturing strategies
  
  
  
  

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• XSI - Single skin mesh creation
  Tutorial for welding meshes in XSI, keeping UV assignments
  Date added: 4/4/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Sometimes you have avatars or other objects made of multiple meshes (indexed face sets) each with separate texturing/UW. XSI can combine these to obtain a single skin mesh, ready for use in h-anim animations as handled by Flux studio. Then add BVH moves, and watch your creature dance.
  
  
  
  
• ZBrushCentral - Pixologic Release: ZBrush Learning Series - Texturing with Photoreference
  ZBrush Discussion Forums
  Date added: 7/16/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Tutorial for photo-realistic texturing using Z-brush.
  
  
  
  
• Ziekerdanziek 3D Help Guide
  Tools, tutorials, worlds, avatars, reviews, news
  Date added: 9/13/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Well organized information meta-portal.
  His link-page to tutorials is extensive, useful.
  
  
  
  

3. TOOLS: authoring, converting, publishing, compiling, coding

This is a long list since we need to wield a rich arsenal of helpers no matter which way we turn in building Web3D.

At the time of this writing (April 24, 2007) I am at long last moving from general research to buildng actual prototypes in order to test the various tools and technology options with feedback from daring visitors. If you don't mind techontrash, please come and play in my virtual sandbox.

Up to TOP of list

• 3D CAD Browser - Home
  3D CAD Browser is online 3D CAD models exchange system.
  Date added: 7/17/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 3d computer animation, photogrammetry software, 3d architecture, photogrammetry, accident reconstruction software, 3d animation and 3d software : PhotoModeler
  PhotoModeler is the world leading software for creating 3d models and measurements from photographs. It creates the 3d data for any photo, including its measurements and calculations. It is the first choice for all your 3D imaging needs.
  Date added: 5/2/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Another way to go from photos to 3D.
  Useful in some caser for architectural visualization.
  
  
  
  
• 3D Modeling Software - trueSpace
  Powerful 3D modeling software for 3D animation, 3D graphic, animations, rendering, NURBS, web design, games design
  Date added: 9/17/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  TrueSpace has been aroung for quite a while. Not a bad way to get into 3D modelling without spending a fortune.
  
  
  
  
• 3D Nature Home Page
  World Construction Set and companion programs.
  Date added: 8/20/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Commercial collection of tools for constructing 3D models for use in a wide spectrum of applications- from golf course design to civil engineering.
  
  
  
  
• 3D Plugins and Digital Tools For Digital Artists - 3DPlugins.com
  Pluginz.com is the ultimate source of plugins and digital tools for digital artists. We have everything you need to make your projects stand out and blow your competition away. Come and see the latest products, news, reviews and hot digital downloads!
  Date added: 3/15/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  3D plugs galore!
  Specialized commercial utilities to save time and produce gary technotrash effortlessly.
  
  
  
  
• AccuTrans 3D
  3D Object Conversion Software
  Date added: 9/12/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Inexpensive and versatile, Accutrans has wide applications. It's also reasonably priced. (USD 20) Shareware, but not crippled, and downloadable on the good old "honors" system terms.
  
  The ability to turn almost any mesh into an h-anim compatible avatar is alluring. Also handles trueSpace .COBs and exports Activeworld animations.
  
  Another intriguing ability is the program's feature to turn a wide range of elevation file formats to color coded 3D meshes. Possibly a quick way to do 3DGIS displayed in Flux.
  
  At this time, it Reads, but does not Write the X3D fileformat
  
  As of this date the program appears to be in an active phase of development.
  
  Go Micromouse, goooooooooo!
  
  
  AccuTrans 3D provides accurate translation of 3D geometry between the file formats used by many popular modeling programs. Positional and rotational information for the 3D meshes is maintained. Also many material attributes, such as color, index of refraction, reflection, specularity and Phong shading, are transferred between the files. Textures and UV coordinates are supported. The program has been enhanced with additional features to make it more than just a 3D file conversion program.
  
  

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• Annosoft - Lipsync Tools for Professionals
  Annosoft is a leading provider of automatic lipsync technologies for game and multimedia development.
  Date added: 9/7/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Possibly a bit like the offering from Haptek, realtime sync of spoken word and face.
  One way to improve realism of the virtual.
  
  
  Our core technologies are lightweight, high performance, speech recognition engines. Using Hidden Markov Models, these technologies determine the statistically-best phonetical breakdown for a given audio file. The text-based technology, in addition to producing a precise phonetical breakdown, also produces an accurate breakdown of word positions in an audio file.
  
  Our technologies work effectively across most, if not all, languages.
  
  
• AutoDEM's Home Page
  Extraction and healing of coutours from raster images
  Date added: 8/13/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Note: july 2006 - expect update will be available soon with many new goodies.
  Downloaded this. Free, not much in ways of help..
  Seems promising as an alternative to "Blackart" to interpolate DEMs, to smooth them in preparation for conversion to meshes, grid-based, or as TINs.
  
  
  
  
• AutoPlay Media Studio 6.0 Product Features
  Here's a brief feature guide to AutoPlay Media Studio 6.0.
  Date added: 11/19/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Commercial alternative. Uses LUA for scripting. Quick way to get started and actually distribute content. Due to the fact that AMS embeds Lua, it is also plug-in friendly.
  Free trial available. Highly recommended for its lucid tutorials.
  
  
  
  
• BarracudaDrive - Lua Server Pages
  Lua, Lua Server Pages, Barracuda Drive / Server
  Date added: 11/25/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Barracudadrive embeds Lua Server Pages- a fast and elegant alternative to php.
  
  
  
  
• BioGraphic Technologies
  AI - Artificial Intelligence Implant for games and simulation
  Date added: 10/20/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Canadian company, providing tools for "next generation" games. Some concrete examples provided on the site. On the whole, the use of AI in both games as well as in more "serious" Web3D apps is sharply on the rise. Virtual intelligence is becoming more believable (and more threatening). . .
  
  
  Procedural animation — driven by artificial intelligence techniques — is the next frontier. AI animation will augment the abilities of digital entertainers across disciplines. Filmmakers will get the depth and programmability of an infinite number of real–time game–style characters. It will give game designers the breadth, independence and tactics of film actors.
  
  
• Biovision (BVH) and Acclaim (ASF/AMC) Skeletal Motion Capture Import Converter
  Insight on conversion between various animation protocols
  Date added: 3/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Commercial conversion utilities for animation.
  
  
  
  

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• Building VRML Worlds: Tools
  Although about five years old, Crispen's site is useful
  Date added: 9/20/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Classic collection of tools and advice on VRML, good historical perspectives.
  
  
  Essential Tools
  Modelers and Integrated Development
  Environments (IDEs)
  VRML Generators
  Text Editors
  Office Tools
  Libraries
  Color and Lighting Tools
  Terrain and Scenery Tools
  Viewpoint and Rotation Angle Calculators
  Animation
  Tools for Textures and 2D Graphics Tools for MovieTextures
  Postproduction and Optimization Tools
  Syntax Checkers
  Java Utilities
  Documenting VRML Files
  Browser Aids
  2D to 3D
  Miscellaneous
  Collections
  Meta Lists
  
  
• Captionate - FLV (Flash Video) captioning solution
  Captionate is a windows application that lets you embed caption, subtitle data into FLV files. You conveniently receive the injected data as callback functions.
  Date added: 3/15/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Handy for language learning in interactive FLV video.
  Captionate is handy for getting a handle on cuepoints, and synching captions.
  Shareware at $60.
  
  
  
  
• Character FX
  Free mesh animation tool
  Date added: 11/22/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Game developers like this one, since it allows the creation of very realistic animation of nearly anything . .
  
  
  CharacterFX is a character animation tool, created for gamers, artists, modellers and hobbyists. It allows you to breathe live into your meshes using skeletal animation and advanced tools like Inverse Kinematics or Weighted Vertices, but still it is easy enough to use for all levels of computer graphic artists.
  
  
• Code::Blocks Studio - Open Source, Cross-platform Free C++ IDE
  Codeblocks is a cross-platform IDE built around wxWidgets, designed to be extensible and configurable. Runs on Windows and Linux.
  Date added: 11/17/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Create 3D DEM using R2V
  Automatic DEM tracing of scanned maps
  Date added: 8/2/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  From color coded or contour lines, create 3D information automatically
  
  
  
  
• Create 3D models from photos
  3DSOM Pro from Creative Dimension Software Ltd is a fast, cost-effective software tool for generating photo-realistic 3D models from images of real objects, based on technology originally developed by Canon. With the 3DSOM Pro Viewer Java applet, interactive plugin-free 3D content can easily be created for compelling e-commerce sites, eye-catching internet advertising, online museum exhibitions, and more. A fully customised 3D modelling service is also available delivering high quality multimedia content for CD marketing campaigns, exhibitions, education, digital product brochures and streaming over the internet.
  Date added: 9/17/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Nice java-based interactive display of image-objects. (But crashed my Java VM and shut down Opera . . .)
  The ability to quickly make polygon mesh representations from photographs is valuable.
  Handles environment mapping, export to 3DS and VRML. Automatic masking option.
  3DSOM Pro is available worldwide for the recommended retail price (RRP) of £1495 GBP + VAT
  Free 30day trial is available. Uncrippled, but requires active internet connection.
  
  
  
  
  

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• Creating QTVR movies from Terragen
  
  Date added: 7/6/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Very useful script for utilizing Terragen synthetic terrain via PanoTools.
  One way to translate Terragen content to 360/180 immersive panoramas.
  
  
  
  
• Creating Web3D-Content (VRML/ X3D) using Blender
  good tutorial on exporting vrml/x3d from Blender
  Date added: 3/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  The BS Exporter for Blender transforms Blender 2.37a and above into a complete authoring application for quality Web3D content using the extensions of BS Contact VRML/X3D. It exports to both the XML and VRML Classic encodings of the X3D Standard.
  
  
  
  
• Customizing VRML Avatars for blaxxun Contact
  Blaxxun has become a classic in 3D chat-worlds
  Date added: 11/14/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Here are the ins and outs of making your avatar move.
  Good detailed discussion of specific VRML technique and syntax.
  Blaxxun is now Bitmanagement, continuing leading-edge developments in Web3D
  
  
  
  
• Daylon Graphics
  Daylon Graphics heightfield modeler
  Date added: 7/7/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  One of the standard tools for those working with serious digital terrain modelling.
  Notable in that it allows intelligent use of pressure sensitive graphic tablets.
  
  
  
  
• Daylon Graphics - Leveller (tm) Heightfield Editor
  Home page for Leveller, a 3D terrain/heightfield object modeller.
  Date added: 4/12/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This also exports to VRML, versatile imports, multiple file formats
  
  
  
  
• DXF to Shapefile Converter
  DXF to Shapefile Converter
  Date added: 8/13/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Good little utility, using this one to convert DXF to shapefile
  
  
  
  

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• Envivio, Inc.
  Envivio is a leading provider of complete MPEG-4 and H.264 solution.
  Date added: 11/14/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Mostly active in commercial streaming, Envivio also has a nice little player for MPEG-4 on dusty old PCs
  
  "EnvivioTV allows the user to interact directly with broadcast media, experiencing MPEG-4 interactive capabilities while selecting and interacting with multimedia objects. The range of interactive programming opportunities is limited only by the author's imagination, the targeted client platform's performance, and available bandwidth. The stand-alone version of the player can be integrated or ported onto any media device, including set-top boxes, PCs, PDAs, and game consoles."
  
  
  Spun out of France Telecom in 1999, Envivio has extensive engineering experience gained by the founders during over 3 years of R&D on MPEG-4 at France Telecom. The company holds 11 patents in the MPEG-4 standard and leverages France Telecom's $10+ million investment in the development of the intellectual property and two generations of MPEG-4 software, which are now assets of Envivio.
  
  Funded by financial and corporate leaders in the interactive TV market, Envivio is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and maintains operations in North America and Europe.
  
  
• Fluxstudio
  Flux studio visual development
  Date added: 9/26/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Still in beta, but quite stable and useful. Imports and exports a great scope of formats. Easy to use, and efficient for creating working content. Also handles H-anim, and imports from Blaxxun's Avatar Studio.
  
  I use Flux Studio almost daily. Recommended for those who are just getting started in Web3D (like moi . . )
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Fragmosoft
  Create and animate 3d models for your games with ease and without going broke.
  Date added: 4/5/2007    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Versatile 3D format converter, especially for animations
  
  
  
  
• Free GIS and CAD Software
  The GeoCommunity provides FREE and shareware GIS and CAD software tools, utilities, compression programs, translators, and map viewers for mapping and location based applications
  Date added: 8/7/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  many translators found here
  
  
  
  
• FreeGIS.org
  good and free gis utilities
  Date added: 8/6/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Here you'll find useful converters or viewers, etc.
  GIS is beridden with a virtual Pandora's box of incompatible formats.
  Standardization is still a long way off, thus the need for tools like these.
  
  
  
  
• gemal.dk - BrowserSpy - Plug-in Information
  
  Date added: 9/6/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  BrowserSpy - a tool that can give you all kinds of detailed information about you and your browser!
  
  
  
  

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• Geo Control
  GeoControl - the innovative terrain generator
  Date added: 10/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  State of the art terrain generation and manipulation tool. Import .ter Export to Bryce, Carrara, Terragen, even .OBJ with details in normal maps. Looks Good on the galleries!
  
  
  
  
• GeoFrac2000 Site
  GeoFrac2000 is a realistic landscape and terrain generation tool that will create and output heightfields, texture maps, 3D Polygon Meshes, and more.
  Date added: 6/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Sophisticated procedural terrain generation tool.
  Excels in versatility.
  
  
  
  
• GIS Tools
  I guess that like me, there are some of you that sometimes get GIS, DEM and Imagery data in a format that you're not familiar with and you wonder what you can use to get it into your preferred structure/format... To that end I have collated a list of freeware that can (generally) be used as data conversion tools. This list is sorted by Tool at http://www.grime.net/gistools and by Data Format Extension at http://www.grime.net/gistools/a-z.htm Please let me know of other (freeware) tools you have used to convert data and I'll be happy to add them.
  Date added: 7/8/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Amazing list of GIS-related (DEM, ERDAS, etc, etc,) conversion utilities.
  
  
  
  
• GPAC Project on Advanced Content (Rich media)
  Mpeg-4, open source, compile your own, fingers crossed
  Date added: 9/25/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Mpeg-4 is already here, but the advanced features (interactivity) are still evasive. X3D is part of the immersive profile here. That's nice.
  
  
  
  GPAC is a multimedia framework based on the MPEG-4 Systems standard (ISO/IEC 14496-1) developed from scratch in ANSI C.
  As of version 0.4.0 GPAC is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License. Older GPAC versions are available under the GNU General Public License.
  
  
• Greenbriar Studio 3D Tools
  Maya and Poser export and conversion tools
  Date added: 3/27/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  A collection of potentially useful conversion utilities, mostly centered on game-engines and animation. Some of these tools just might get you unstuck if your production pipeline chokes on seemingly incompatible formats.
  
  
  
  
• guthrie CAD :: GIS - Arcv2CAD Free Trial Download
  arcv2Cad translates arcview shapefiles to dxf
  Date added: 8/13/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Direct link to the download.
  Trialware.
  
  
  
  

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• H-Animator - Home Page
  Low level creation of hanim
  Date added: 3/24/2007    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Interesting utility, appears quite flexible in allowing the creation of h-anim animation from any mesh.
  
  
  
  
• Halden Virtual Reality Centre- Chisel and LOD tools
  Halden VR Centre offers some free and useful tools for chiseling ISO VRML.
  Date added: 10/18/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Providers of "Chisel" and a versatile interactive LOD editor. Java-based, this tool can potentially save a lot of time since it handles the simplification tasks that otherwise have to be done by hand, or via, say, 3dsMax.
  
  
  The LOD Tool is a piece of software that can be used to construct level-of-detail data from geometry data in ISO VRML97 format.
  
  In its interactive mode, the user can use the LOD tool to generate simplified models, visually check the results of the simplifications, and adjust the distances associated with the varoious reduced models. Models can be sorted and replaced, and the results of model simplifications can be easily compared. Both the LOD configuration for a model and the resulting ISO VRML97 files can be saved.
  
  
• headus UVLayout Central - Home
  headus UVLayout Central
  Date added: 4/24/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Australian professional unwrapping. Still in beta now, free uncrippled, good reviews from high-end 3d artists. Iterating progressive flattener.
  
  
  
  
• Home Page - Matthew Lewis
  Professor, specialist in multimeda
  Date added: 4/12/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Has written some useful utilities to convert bvh and other motion capture files to h-anim.
  
  
  
  
• Horde3D - Next-Generation Graphics Engine
  Another open source 3D graphics engine
  Date added: 11/18/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Augsburg university, a "simple" 3d engine using XML for resource loading. In early development at this time.
  
  
  
  
• HVRC LOD Tool
  Tool to handle automatic genaration of LOD
  Date added: 11/22/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  From Halden, Norway, this tool can often save literally days of work since it can generate low-polygon variants of your geometry based on parameters you supply.
  
  
  The LOD creation process involves replacing a node (a single shape or group of shapes) in a scene graph with a LOD node that encapsulates at least two graphical representations (the LOD node, and a set of nodes containing ordered less detailed representations). The less detailed representations are typically created using simplification techniques such as polygon reduction, or can be individually modelled using a 3D modelling tool. To configure a distance LOD, appropriate distances between levels are selected, typically based on the dimensions of the original object and the level of reduction.
  
  

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• Icy North Technologies :: Index
  Lua forum
  Date added: 11/19/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Supporting community for learning Lua integration with C++ , with an eye towards game development.
  
  
  
  
• IImage Panorama | skriker
  Panorama viewer for Wordpress
  Date added: 1/31/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Interactive java 360 panoramas deployed in Wordpress.
  Quite useful, and a lot of fun!
  
  
  
  
• Internet Space Builder - web 3d products - ParallelGraphics (a 3D VRML company)
  Internet space builder
  Date added: 3/9/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  ParallelGraphics offering for creating virtual worlds.
  Practical and useful for authoring VRML!
  
  
  
  
• Jim Watters - PanoTools
  Jim watters personal home page, photos
  Date added: 5/7/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  PANOTOOLS, this outstanding free utility has not passed away. Updated on SourceForge.
  
  
  
  
• Life Forms Studio 4.0 - 3D visualization and character animation software
  Credo Interactive presents Life Forms Studio 4.0 3D character animation software
  Date added: 11/12/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Around $500 for this character animation software.
  Does come with an extensive library of motion-capture files, ready to besoul you creation.
  
  
  
  
• Lifemode Interactive: Facial animation
  Facial animator with export to 3DS, Maya.
  Date added: 9/28/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  The demand for life-like emotive behavior in facial animation appears to be rising. Tools like this one can add a touch of intimacy, and add credibility to virtual characters.
  
  
  Now all animation studios and graphic artists can enjoy a very inexpensive way of creating realistic and believable lifelike characters.
  
  

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• LIFESTUDIO: HEAD Pro
  LIFESTUDIO: HEAD Pro
  Date added: 3/15/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  "With LIFESTUDIO:HEAD Pro an artist can model a highly realistic human or non-human head, and then animate it, using the existing libraries of facial expressions and automated lip-synch."
  
  
  
  
• Lua
  Scripting language, made in Brasil. Versatile, fast, flexible.
  Date added: 11/10/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Increasingly used in games development, LUA (means moon in Portugese) is also at the core of EMMA, an emerging 3D standard.
  
  A look at the list of user applications shows an attractive array of creativity and idealism. Lua seems to be gaining in popularity as a 'super-glue' in multimedia apps.
  
  
  
  Lua is a powerful light-weight programming language designed for extending applications. Lua is also frequently used as a general-purpose, stand-alone language. Lua is free software.
  
  
• Lua (programming language) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  Lua wiki
  Date added: 11/25/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Well rounded exposition with fascinating pointers
  
  
  
  
• LuaCOM Plugin
  Plugin to access COM (activeX) functionality through LUA scripting
  Date added: 11/19/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  written for use with Autoplay Media Studio
  Using AMS with Lua as "glue" might prove a viable alternative to Ajax and the more traditional SAI/EAI
  
  
  
  
• Lukas Heise's Home Page :: Projects :: FreeSL
  Free Sound Library - potential Ogre add-in
  Date added: 4/14/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  FreeSL (Free Sound Library) is a OpenAL wrapper. It also includes the EAX 2.0 library for realistic environment simulations and the so called World Definition System where you are able to define different areas with different environments and let the WDS handle occlusion and obstruction as well as blending different environments that a sound will pass in.
  
  
  
  
• Media Machines
  Flux X3D viewer specs
  Date added: 3/31/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Mediamachines is possibly the best bet at this time for creating and deploying X3D content.
  
  
  
  

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• MeshLab
  Free alternative, handles high resolution meshes.
  Date added: 4/8/2007    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Milkshape Modeller
  Free tool for creating geometry, and translating numeros formats.
  Date added: 11/22/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  The value of Milkshape is its veratility. The fact that it is poular among game-developers keeps it at the cutting edge. Works well with character FX for animation control. OPENGL.
  
  
  MilkShape 3D is a low-polygon modeler, which was initially designed for Half-Life. During the development, many file formats have been added.
  
  MilkShape 3D has all basic operations like select, move, rotate, scale, extrude, turn edge, subdivide, just to mention a few. MilkShape 3D also allows low-level editing with the vertex and face tool. Primitives like spheres, boxes and cylinders are also available.
  
  MilkShape 3D has also skeletal animation capabilities. This allows to export to morph target animation like the ones in the Quake model formats or to export to skeletal animations like Half-Life or Genesis3d.
  
  MilkShape 3D currently supports 37 different file formats from 27 different games/ engines/programs.
  
  
• Model3D::WavefrontObject - Perl extension for reading, manipulating and writing polygonal Alias Wavefront 3D models - search.cpan.org
  Perl program script to manipulate, read, write .obj Wavefront 3D files
  Date added: 4/18/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  A possible candidate for spawning procedural emotive transmutations.
  
  
  
  
• Moo Productions Wind-Up
  OgreAL developer
  Date added: 11/7/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  For sound in Ogre, using OpenAL, this is the maintainer
  
  
  
  
• Motek skeleton building, motion capture.
  Motion capture also captures the soul.
  Date added: 9/20/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Dutch masters of motion capture. Rather high end. Extensive collection of samples, and, uner "News" some good demo reels.
  
  
  MOTEK designs, creates, and markets (real-time) motion capture data solutions and products for various markets. Internationally recognized for its pioneering work in the field, MOTEK brings technologies developed for high-end simulation into a commercialised environment, such as the medical, simulation and advertising industries.
  
  
• Mova
  photorealistic markerless motion capture
  Date added: 8/4/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Integrates with FaceRobot XSI - rich and intense virtual emotions
  
  
  
  

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• MPEG-4 at ENST
  MPEG-4 resources and tools
  Date added: 11/14/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  The French are on the vanguard with MPEG-4. This site is a good portal to recent tools and technology implementations, including downlods of viewers as well as authoring tools. French research.
  
  
  
  Our team participates actively in MPEG since '95, and has contributed to MPEG-4 Systems mostly. We are active in BIFS, IM1 (reference software) and conformance testing (many Systems test sequences are from ENST). We have also been the first to create full application demonstrations, since the mosaic application in Atlantic City. Jean-Claude Dufourd is editor of the MPEG-4 Conformance document
  
  
• Obj file import TSX
  Get decent quality OBJ in and out of Truespace
  Date added: 3/25/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This conversion plug-in works well - much better than exporting vrml from TS. Flux imports .obj easily.
  Absolutely invaluable in exporting content from trueSpace 3.2. GO GET!
  
  
  
  
• OC3 Entertainment
  FaceFX, Facial animation technology
  Date added: 10/20/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Another entry in facial animation. This one is now included in the Unreal Technology's gaming engine.
  
  
  OC3 Entertainment provides facial animation technology, which serves as the gateway for human-computer and human-human interaction in 3D environments. The video game industry is currently on the cutting edge of computer graphics, and OC3 Entertainment works with some of the world’s most respected game developers, publishers and middleware providers. More serious applications for facial animation technology include machinima, 3D communication systems, simulated training environments, and web-based customer relationship management applications.
  
  
• OGRE 3D : Open source graphics engine
  Open source graphics engine
  Date added: 11/10/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Graphics engine migrating from gaming only to more universal apps, such as Lua/Emma 3D interactive.
  Another illustration of the vitality of Open Source communities.
  
  
  OGRE v1.0 [Azathoth] represents the culmination of 4 years of continuous development, resulting in what is now regarded by many as the leading open source real time 3D rendering engine. OGRE is packed with features to make your development life easier, whether you're making games, architectural visualisation, simulations, or anything else which requires a top-notch 3D rendering solution.
  
  OGRE (Object-Oriented Graphics Rendering Engine) is a scene-oriented, flexible 3D engine written in C++ designed to make it easier and more intuitive for developers to produce applications utilising hardware-accelerated 3D graphics. The class library abstracts all the details of using the underlying system libraries like Direct3D and OpenGL and provides an interface based on world objects and other intuitive classes.
  
  
• Open Sourced Haptics - SenseGraphics AB
  Swedish company offering innivative tech. combining X3D with haptics.
  Date added: 11/22/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Taking things one step further, SenseGraphics promises multisensory virtual reality solutions. Even better- they are doing it in open source!
  
  
  
  
• OpenFX
  OpenFX tutorials for download
  Date added: 9/16/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• OpenFX
  
  Date added: 9/12/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Outer Technologies
  Outer Technologies' pretty good bookmark manager: Linkman
  Date added: 9/27/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Versatile link manager for all browser. Good to keep tabs on your favorite Worlds.
  This list of bookmarks was exported from Linkman using flexible editable templates.
  I use this all day long :-)
  You are looking at it . . .
  
  
  
  
• Panorama Tools
  Free stitching and more advanced optical algorithms for the Web3D hacker
  Date added: 9/2/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  I have used this collection of tools and utilities and found them very helpful.
  
  The stitcher does require some manual editing of parameters in configuration textfiles, but once you get the hang of it the possibilities are endless, and the end result looks very clean.
  Once you learn to shood panoramas in a consistent manner these utilities can also be used in batch processing mode- turning out spherical immersive globules faster than you can say -Vielen Dank Herr Professor Helmut Dersch!!
  
  PTStitcher: High quality, simple to use, all format stitching software.
  Panorama Tools: Photoshop plug-in for panorama creation, editing and remapping.
  PTViewer: High quality spherical viewer, Standalone and java versions for many platforms.
  
  
  This site is an old (partial) mirror of Helmut Dersch's site downloaded just prior to his site being temporarily unavailable. His site is now available again and includes a new version of PTViewer. Please visit his current site for up to date information.
  http://webuser.fh-furtwangen.de/~dersch/
  
  
• Pelican Crossing Home
  Pelican Crossing, the publisher of Blink 3D.
  Date added: 1/25/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Blink 3D is a Rapid Application Development (RAD) environment for building and sharing full 3D, immersive, interactive, animated environments that can be viewed on the Web or locally.
  Based on Ogre, quite mature, and a viable alternative for authoring and deploying online VR.
  
  
  
  
• Photo stitching software 360 degree
  PTGui is a front end for Panorama Tools, image stitching software for stitching photographs into a 360-degree panoramic image
  Date added: 10/15/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Using Panorama Tools at the commandline takes some time to learn. This tool could make things more easy for the GUI-lover.
  
  
  PTGui can stitch multiple rows of images
  Create 360 degree cylindrical panoramas, 'flat' partial panoramas and even spherical 360x180 degree panoramas
  No need to keep the camera level: PTGui can stitch rotated and tilted images
  Virtually unlimited output size: create Gigapixel panoramas from hundreds of images!
  Layered output allows full control over the final stitched result
  
  
• Photo3D: 3D modeling from photo.
  You can easily create a collection of models and textures from actual world around you.
  Date added: 9/20/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Japanese tool for quickly creating vrml models textured with photographs. Does perspective and distortion corrections.
  
  
  With Photo3D you can create a 3D model from a single photograph.
  Using multiple photographs you can create more complex3D models.
  Photo3D creates textures to be mapped on the model surface.
  Created models can be immediately examined in the preview mode.
  Photo3D corrects the lens distortion.
  
  

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• Pinecoast Software Inc
  Software tools for interactive 3D with VRML and X3D
  Date added: 11/18/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  collada to x3d translation, flux - like editor. c2x convertor might mature somewhat and become a prime tool since there appears to be an almost universal move to Collada.
  
  
  
  
• Projections - PanoTools
  
  Date added: 7/4/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  change projectons
  
  
  
  
• Reality Studio - Reviews and free downloads at Download.com
  Reality Studio Download
  Date added: 1/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Reality Studio has been stagnant for several years. Quite a pity since this studio really delivers well in the area of linked 360 panos, with vrml mixed in.
  Iseemedia should really consider resuming development on this.
  This link is for a free trial version.
  
  
  
  
  
• Reallusion 3d animation software - 3D Animation Made Simple!
  3d animation and imaging software - create animated, talking images for email, web sites or presentations. Free download.
  Date added: 10/22/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  iClone - EASY to use 3D tool. Imports bvh animation sequences
  Unfortunately it, at least at the time of this writing, has no way to export content meaningfully beyond it's own proprietary format.
  
  
  
  
• Right Hemisphere - Products
  U3D - another 3D candidate.
  Date added: 9/15/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Right Hemisphere, Intel, and Adobe are pushing an alternative to X3D. Still not quite mature.
  
  "U3D, The New Standard for 3D File Sharing
  Recently, Intel, along with Ecma International, an industry standards group, and the 3D Industry Forum (3DIF), created an open and extensible format - Universal 3D (U3D) - for the sharing and visualization of 3D. Aimed at becoming the "JPEG" for 3D graphics, the U3D standard is already supported in a range of software products, including Adobe Acrobat."
  
  
  Deep Creator™ is a powerful authoring application to create interactive 3D environments, assemblies and objects. This application delivers an integrated authoring environment which includes a 3D modeler, a texture creator, and a scripting engine in one package, all essential to producing powerful interactive 3D content.
  
  
• Rune mesh export to OBJ
  Info on the Rune format, and exporter for Milkshape
  Date added: 3/29/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Chris Gwynhala Burke is the expert on exchange of Rune protocols. His program, Pygmalion, possibly the only one that allows you to access Rune meshes and animations.
  This opens the doors to importing creatures from UnrealEd and RuneEd to X3D.
  Think of it as a virtual museum.
  
  
  
  

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• Screencast Player
  Nice way to SHOW people how to set thing up.
  Date added: 2/5/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Realtime screen capture. Good for making video tutorials.
  
  
  
  
• SimuTerra
  Terrain modelling
  Date added: 7/30/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Imports dxf, exchange terrain dem with sketchup. Versatile road-creation utility.
  
  
  
  
• Singular Inversions - FaceGen Customizer
  Facial animation and lipsynch alternatives
  Date added: 4/4/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Listed on the Facegen site- this is a useful list of various ways to have your character animated, and synched to text, realtime or offline.
  Facegen is a commercial alternative, somewhat pricey licence, but it does work well!\
  If you need to generate typical faces of various human "races" in a hurry this is the way to go.
  Good possibilities for parametric generation of facial geometry/synthetic emotions.
  
  
  
  
• Singular Inversions - From Single Photograph to 3D Face Model
  
  Date added: 9/8/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Singular Inversions specializes in statistical modelling of the shape and appearance of human faces.
  "Stand-alone parametric face modelling software for Windows.
  Create faces from one or more photographs, or at random.
  Edit faces in over 150 ways, including race, age and gender.
  Choose between different mesh structures and UV layouts.
  Export to most 3D file formats, complete with morphs."
  
  
  
  
• SkyPaint
  Utilty to touch-up backgrounds used in panoramas or VRML
  Date added: 11/15/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Works as a plug-in to, say, Photoshop.
  
  
  
  
• SpacEyes Home Page
  SpacEyes offers product and industry solutions in various fields, such as remote sensing, photogrammetry, cartography, geomatic software development.
  Date added: 8/2/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  high-end French program for creating photorealistic 3D earth imagery compined with / based on satellite data
  
  
  
  

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• SpringerLink - Article
  Interesting whitepaper on virtual "non-basic" emotions
  Date added: 11/29/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Emotional speech synthesis is coming. Avatars will be able to sound very convincing with this.
  
  
  A physics-based facial animation system was combined with an equally flexible and expressive text-to-speech synthesis system, based upon the same emotion model, to form a talking head capable of expressing non-basic emotions of varying intensities.
  
  
• SynthEyes - Andersson Technologies LLC
  Motion capture system at a reasonable price
  Date added: 4/7/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Inexpensive entry to the field of motion capture.
  
  
  
  
• Systems in Motion
  Norwegian 3D tools provider.
  Date added: 10/18/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Advanced polygon reduction plugin for 3DS. Quite costly utility for upscale production.
  
  
  SIM Rational Reducer is an award-winning tool for reducing the number of polygons in 3D models, while preserving visual quality. Produces faster rendering and shorter download time.
  
  Rational Reducer is fully automatic, helping you achieve in minutes results that would have taken days of manual work.
  
  Rational Reducer is currently in use by NASA, US Army, Toyota, Airbus, Statoil, Norsk Hydro and many others.
  
  (Max Plugin costs around 5000 Euros)
  
  SIM shall be recognized as a world-leading supplier of powerful 3D software to demanding industry customers.
  SIM shall give our customers the best value for money they can get within the 3D software industry.
  Our business shall be profitable. Profitability is a fundamental basis for surviving.
  
  (Thus Spake Homo Economicuss)
  
  
• Terragen
  Terrain generator
  Date added: 11/22/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This handy utility will generate terrains randomly, or if you have height-information (it accepts a variety of formats) it will "recreate" the hills and valleys over a textured map.
  
  
  Terragen is a scenery generator, created with the goal of generating photorealistic landscape images and animations. It is available for Windows and the Mac OS. At this stage in its development, Terragen is free for personal, noncommercial use.
  
  
• Terrain Visualization and Flyby Animation
  OpenGL 3D Terrain Visualization and Flyby Animation
  Date added: 7/8/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  3DEM gis utility conversion of many DEM formats- usually for processing in Terragen
  
  
  
  

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• The MBROLA PROJECT HOMEPAGE
  Text to speach bouket.
  Date added: 1/16/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Multi-lingual speech synthesis.
  
  
  
  
• Vcommunicator Studio
  Animated, interactive virtual mentors.
  Date added: 9/17/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Use of X3D avatar, animation, h-anim for learning.
  
  
  
  Vcom3D creates Web content and online courses that include the magic of characters acting as mentors and as actors in role-playing simulations in which the learner must decide how to respond to different situations.
  
  
• VideoLAN - x264
  Open source h.264- like codec, but FREE.
  Date added: 11/14/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  For compressing and streaming video in rich interactive media.
  Active user support.
  
  
  
  
• Virtools, A Dassault Systèmes Company
  With Virtools Dev interactive 3D development solutions, develop and deploy exceptional game-quality applications for e-Marketing and e-Learning, as well as games. Virtools solutions mean quick design-to-delivery and low production costs.
  Date added: 4/29/2007    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  French entry to Web3D, rather high-end.
  
  
  
  
• Visible Light : Products Mall : Envivio 4Mation MPEG-4 Auth Software-Interactive Content & Applications
  Mpeg-4 authoring tool
  Date added: 9/15/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Claims Interactive Content and Applications
  
  
  The Envivio 4Mation MPEG-4 Authoring Software for Interactive Content and Applications is a professional MPEG-4 authoring tool for developing interactive content and applications, including corporate webcasts, web-based marketing, and electronic programming guide (EPG) development.
  
  
• VRMAG - NEW PANO2QTVR SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS USERS
  Utility to convert rectangular panos to QTVR format.
  Date added: 11/12/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Free and useful converter.
  
  
  Pano2QTVR is a freeware tool that converts cylindrical and spherical panoramas into QTVR movies on the Windows platform. Hotspots, FOV, pan, tilt, and zoom parameters can be defined with ease as well as copyright tracks. Pano2QTVR is available as command line program or as a GUI; its layout is intuitive and makes it a breeze to use. And best of all, it’s free for non-commercial use of the output files.
  
  

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• VRML 2.0 Geometry Import Converter
  High quality conversion tools. I have the impression they might also include X3D, eventually.
  Date added: 9/20/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Some good pointers here to vrml models, objects, buildings, etc.
  
  Okino Computer Graphics develops and markets a broad
  range of 3d rendering, visualization, 3d data translation/conversion and toolkit software.
  
  
  While there are many 3D VRML browsers, there are few stand-alone data conversion programs which properly implement the import of VRML files; we hope that making this carefully coded VRML import converter available will satisfy the many requests from our users who have long sought a good VRML import solution.
  
  
• VRML Plugin and Browser Detector (X3D Too)
  Which 3D browsers does your WebBrowser have installed?
  Date added: 9/1/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Well, this is wonderful!
  Just connect to this URL with your browser and see what it says about the plugs and other 3D critters you have installed. Well, first I went there with my favorite, Opera, and ended up with:
  Web browser: Opera 8.50 (Plugin Help)
  
  VRML plugin: BS Contact* (Help)
  Other VRML plugins: Cosmo Player Cortona* (Install) Octaga*
  
  X3D plugin: BS Contact* (Help)
  Other X3D plugins: Octaga*
  *********************************************************
  Going with IE the page returned:
  Web browser: Internet Explorer 6.0 (Plugin Help)
  Other web browsers: Firefox Opera
  
  VRML plugins: [Cortona* (Help)] [BS Contact* (Help)] [blaxxun Contact]
  Other VRML plugins: Cosmo Player Octaga* Venues
  
  
  X3D plugins: [BS Contact* (Help)] [Flux (Help)]
  Other X3D plugins: Octaga* Venues
  ***********************************************
  And with Firefox:
  Web browser: Firefox/1.0.7 (ax) (Plugin Help)
  
  VRML plugin: BS Contact* (Help)
  Other VRML plugins: Cosmo Player Cortona* (Install) Octaga*
  
  X3D plugin: BS Contact* (Help)
  Other X3D plugins: Octaga*
  
  I wish I know more about ways to control, on the surf, which viewer to use for a specific World.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The VRML Plugin and Browser Detector determines
  which free VRML or X3D plugin, viewer, browser, player, or add-on is configured to work with
  Internet Explorer, Firefox, Mozilla, Opera, Netscape, Safari, AOL Explorer, Konqueror, Galeon, or K-Meleon
  on any Windows (XP, 2000, 98, 95, ME, NT), Linux (Red Hat, Fedora, Suse, Debian, Linspire), Macintosh (OS X, OS 9),
  or Unix computer (Solaris, IRIX, AIX, HP-UX). Most X3D and VRML plugins are detected. VRML is the
  Virtual Reality Modeling Language, a standard method to display 3D models on the web.
  
  
• VrmlPad - web 3d products - ParallelGraphics
  VRML editor- and more. Nerds love this one!
  Date added: 11/14/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This is a real workhorse, striking a fine balance between low level control and ease of use.
  
  Further: it is possicle (according to Bitmanagement) to have syntax checking and autocompletion authoring MPEG-4 content by including the appropriate PROTO with the MPEG-4 nodes.
  
  Allows plug-ins- and some very useful ones exist.
  
  
  
  
• Welcome to UVMapper.com
  UVMapper is a freeware Windows and Macintosh utility for texturing 3D models
  Date added: 3/26/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  UVMapper has become one of the best known tools for unwrapping and texturing meshes - of all kinds. Free- and shareware versions.
  
  
  
  
• White_Dune - graphical VRML97 Editor and animation tool
  This editor is helpful in editing interactivity and ROUTES in the schenegraph.
  Date added: 11/22/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  German freeware with well-designed animation editor offering low-level motion/morph control.
  Interesting support for "Superformula 3D" (fractal-like) objects. No mesh editing.
  
  
  White_dune is a low level VRML97 tool for Unix/Linux/MacOSX and M$Windows.
  It can read VRML97 files, display and let the user change the scenegraph/fields.
  Unlike most highlevel tools, it uses a light model based on the VRML97 standard.
  
  
• wilbur
  Wilbur - A terrain/height field generator for Windows 95/NT
  Date added: 7/7/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Minimalistic, and very efficient converter- also between DEM and topographic color
  
  
  
  

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• WinMorph - [Homepage]
  Homepage of WinMorph, a high performance morphing and warping software
  Date added: 10/13/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Sometimes, plain oldfashioned 2D morphing, combined with 3D, can yield stunning results.
  
  
  
  
  
• WOTgreal - the editing tool for the Unreal® Engine
  WOTgreal is a fully functional IDE for UnrealScript. It integrates with UCC.exe for compilation, and class extraction. It has it's own mesh extractor
  Date added: 3/26/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Advanced code editing and standalone export of meshes, etc.
  Beware that Unreal content is under licence.
  
  
  
  
  
• wxWidgets DevPak 2.6.0
  Easy-to-install wxWidgets precompiled and packaged for use with wxDevc IDE
  Date added: 11/17/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  
• wxWidgets Home
  wxWidgets is a mature open-source cross-platform C++ GUI framework for Windows, Unix, Linux, MacOS. It can make use of a variety of native widget sets as well as its own widget set: WIN32, GTK+, Motif, MacOS. wxWidgets will even run on embedded systems using Linux and X11.
  Date added: 11/10/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This is a valuable cross compiler, also used by EMMA and LUA.
  
  
  An open source C++ GUI framework to make cross-platform programming child's play. Well, almost.
  
  
• Xiph.org audio compression, free
  Licence free alternative to MP3
  Date added: 9/11/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  Ogg Vorbis is a new audio compression format. It is roughly comparable to other formats used to store and play digital music, such as MP3, VQF, AAC, and other digital audio formats. It is different from these other formats because it is completely free, open, and unpatented
  
  
• Zoomify ::: Fast high-quality images on the Web!
  Zoomify allows you to deliver high-resolution images over the Web - it's fast & easy! Zoomify's products include Zoomifyer EZ, Zoomifyer for Flash, Zoomifyer VR, and Zoomifyer Enterprise (Zoomifyer Pro is now Zoomifyer VR). Free the pixels!
  Date added: 7/4/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Works well. See the example of satelite image, Paris.
  Adobe Photoshop CS3 has built-in Zoomify Export.
  
  
  
  
  

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4. RESOURCES for production: objects, avatars, images, code, protocols, animations

Sometimes it is practical to simply download a piece of geometry, a nice texture, or a PROTO, or some other code instead of starting from scratch.

Reinventing the cube does not make sense. Modifying a mesh is usually better than starting from primitives (although one might do it from time to time just to stay fit).

Web3D techniques are time-consuming. Fortunately, there are lots of prefabricated nodes out there in the Big Cloud: here-below are some places I have found worthy of passing on.

These resources span a wide spectrum from abstracted prototypes to fully animated avatars. The market for virtual goods has been growing steadily for quite a while already, and virtual economies are emerging throughout cyberspace.

...Did I hear someone whisper SL?

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• All the best Skins & Models in one tidy wicker basket!
  Unreal Tournament & Unreal 2 game skins and models -
  Date added: 3/26/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  You can download the standard animations here for UT, psa format.
  Some of these utilities, originally developed for UT game content, are very useful indeed for more "serious" games as well.
  
  
  
  
• 3D CAFE
  3D Cafe The World's Largest Provider of Free 3D Models
  Date added: 7/17/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  3d content for download, some free stuff
  
  
  
  
• 3D CAFE
  3D CAFE is the World's Largest Website for Computer Graphic Artists!
  Date added: 2/3/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  If you are short on time and long on cash, then go get your meshes here.
  
  
  
  
• 3D Models, Plugins, Textures, and more at Turbo Squid
  High quality meshes for professionals.
  Date added: 9/20/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  If you counted the hours to make these yourself, you understandably would consider downloading one.
  
  
  For example, $320 buys a beautiful animated young Russian girl:
  
  Masha
  Realistic 3d model of young woman named Masha for 3dsMax 5 and higher.
  
  The model has perfect edge-loops based topology with rational polygons count.Detailed anatomy and skin shading makes this model good for close-up render. model rigged by CharacterStudio4 biped+Physique and ready for animation.
  
  Facial animation provided with 'morpher' modifier, model has 10 morph targets + variable eye pupil (see preview), all of that can be easily animated by an on-screen sliders.
  
  3 type of hairs are included, the hairs are created as an alpha-textured mesh objects and does not require any additional plugs.
  
  File also includes all shown garments, rigged in the same way as a body. for non-tight-fitting clothes (skirt and laps of dress) for best simulation you may use one of free-downloadable cloth simulation plug-ins.
  
  The model is render-ready. Materials & high-res textures are included.
  
  
• 3D Total - The cg artists home page
  3D Total - The CG artists homepage, daily news with links to all the best 3d animations and site. Huge libraries and galleries with free downloads (meshes/textures etc) and amazing artwork.
  Date added: 4/5/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Lots of 3D content, some for free but mostly commercial/popular.
  
  
  
  
  
• 3D VR Designs by Al Razutis
  Avant guarde Web3D
  Date added: 10/10/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Al Razutis is still a cybervisionary, one of the virtual archetypes.
  The musings here give an interesting perspective on trends and fads in Web3D.
  
  
  3D design can be fascilitated by the many available software tools (Cosmo, TrueSpace, 3D FX, 3D Studio Max, Maya, etc.), latest upgrades and techniques, and the neverending styles of 'what's cool on the web'.
  
  So what if the latest trick isn't employed? (The tribe rushes off to find the 'new' as if its a pill to pop to offset the boredom of 'repetition'.) If being 'first' becomes the rule, then everyone is doomed to being 'second' (and, 'gasp', being 'late').
  
  My personal experience has been to mistrust the conceits of the priorities of tech and those that are seduced by the disposable 'new'. These conceits I have seen variously in 3D computer graphics, virtual reality, 3D Video, and holography. They are analogous to the web 'dating game' which strives to fulfill a need for 'updated experience' by constantly trading in the past (partner) for a new (stimulus) experience. Chat, chat. Avatar Mall.
  
  

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• 3DValley.com Resource for 3D models textures tutorials and more
  A large and complete directory with thousands of free models and meshes, tutorials, textures, forums about 3D modelling and rendering.
  Date added: 4/15/2007    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Extensive resources for animation libraries
  
  
  
  
• 3DValley.com Resource for 3D models textures tutorials and more
  A large and complete directory with thousands of free models and meshes, tutorials, textures, forums about 3D modelling and rendering.
  Date added: 3/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Many sources listed for downloading meshes and motions
  
  
  
  
• :Statens kartverk:
  Statens kartverk er den nasjonale kartinstitusjonen og ivaretar Norges behov for landsdekkende geografisk informasjon og kartserier. Ansvarsområdet omfatter Norges land-, kyst- og havområder og kysten rundt Svalbard
  Date added: 8/9/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  download of Norwegian DEM, etc
  
  
  
  
• Adobe Photoshop Plug-ins by Redfield : Samples & Tutorials
  Redfield Plugins - free and commercial plug-ins for 3d special effects.
  Date added: 9/20/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Huge collection of Adobe Photoshop special effects, and plug-ins.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• AfterDawn.com: Glossary
  Site devoted to latest in digital multimedia. News, tools, guides and a massive discussion forum.
  Date added: 3/15/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Here is a good glossary. The field of multimedia is ridden by ACRONYMS, often quite ineffable.
  Use this glossary to learn what XSVCD really means, so you can sleep peacefully.
  
  
  
  
• Anfy Java Webart, widgets, applets.
  Special effects with Flash, java, 3D, javascript.
  Date added: 12/2/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Some eye-catchers here to spiff up pages now and then.
  The "voxel" applet simulates flight over fractal terrain.
  
  
  
  
  

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• Biovision BVH
  Clear description of the biovision bvh file format
  Date added: 10/21/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  The information found here is sufficient for authoring a parser for bvh motion files. Possibly also for conversion of joint density, multiple roots, selective motion resolution.
  
  
  
  
• bvhfiles.com - free BVH online
  Library of animations
  Date added: 3/25/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Some good free BVH motion for download found here.
  You can translate this to H-anim and use for single mesh avatar animations in X3D.
  
  
  
  
• Continuum
  Continuum - Free 360 degree sky maps and panoramas, animations
  Date added: 11/15/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Good source for meshes and models for populating your world.
  Interesting selections of space environments. Rather attractive designs available.
  
  
  
  
• Earth Observatory Newsroom: Blue Marble Next Generation
  hi res satellite imagery, free
  Date added: 8/5/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  download earth textures here
  
  
  
  
• Flatplanet maps
  Equirectangular images of earth.
  Date added: 10/12/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Good source for pointers to earth imagry.
  You can wrap these around your favorite sphere and, BINGO, you have a World!
  
  
  
  
• Floppy's Web3D Guide
  Guide to the world of VRML, with one of the best tutorials on the web.
  Date added: 12/10/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  good Protos and Externproto library found here
  
  
  
  

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• Floppy's Web3D Guide - The VRML Developers Library
  Guide to the world of VRML, with one of the best tutorials on the web.
  Date added: 9/21/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Geo-metricks Real-Time 3D Models : 3D Avatars, 3D Worlds
  Virtual realities, ready to ship, boxed.
  Date added: 9/20/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Commercial provider of modelled content by category.
  
  
  Choose from hundreds of original real-time 3d models, everything from 3d avatars and characters to alien vessels and modern furniture. Constant updates, new models every month. Buy on-line now
  
  
• GeoNorge
  DEM and temakart
  Date added: 8/9/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Norwegian digital geographic information
  Set up for direct download.
  
  
  
  
• greenworks/news
  vegetation, plants and trees
  Date added: 8/17/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  these plants can be placed in Terragen 2
  Procedural alternative to heavy texturing
  
  
  
  
• Gregory Seidman's VRML2 Widgets
  Useful collection of interactive widgets
  Date added: 1/11/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  good place to learn vrml syntax and lingo
  
  
  
  
• hersto:    Linear Filters - Animating Objects in a Flexible and Pleasing Way     
  vrml scripts
  Date added: 9/29/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  interestng collection of protos and externprotos for vrml animation. Good implementation of movement control via "virtual stick", inertia, physics simulation.
  
  
  
  

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• Human Figure Animation
  Human Figure Animation
  Date added: 3/30/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Academically oriented links to human animation
  
  
  
  
• Index of /iaui/ovrt/projects/vrml/h-anim/
  Good VRML anatomical reference files
  Date added: 3/30/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Introduction to DXF - Drawing Interchange file
  
  Date added: 8/2/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  dxf develied, demystified
  
  
  
  
• Itl.nist.gov/iaui/ovrt/projects/vrml/h-anim/mangloss.wrl
  
  Date added: 3/30/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Detailed vrml anatomy. High polygon model with ineractive reference
  
  
  
  
  
• Moonman's trueSpace Resources - 3D Plugins
  Find resources to enhance Caligari's trueSpace. The latest and greatest plugins, tutorials, and reference materials!
  Date added: 10/18/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Long list of truespace utilities and plugins.
  If you are just starting out, and are using trueSpace to learn the basics, this site is simply a MUST.
  
  
  
  
• Motek Intro
  MOTEK motion technology - Motion Capture solutions and content for Medical Science, Simulation and Entertainment Industries
  Date added: 10/22/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Library of motions here, good moves!
  
  
  
  

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• Motek Stockmoves
  MOTEK motion technology - Motion Capture solutions and content for Medical Science, Simulation and Entertainment Industries
  Date added: 3/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  moves for sale, and for free, along with instructions for use
  
  
  
  
• Motion Capture and VRML
  Here's the nuts and bolts with mocap and h-anim
  Date added: 3/30/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Somewhat dated, but nevertheless worth a read to learn the principles of translating mocap to VRML.
  
  
  
  
• MTL Files - Material Definitions for OBJ Files
  definition of mtl obj wavefront objcet material file
  Date added: 9/2/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  
• NASA World Wind Download - World Wind Wiki
  Free satellite imagery
  Date added: 8/5/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Somewhat like Google Earth, but non commercial.
  Good user base.
  
  
  
  
• NaturalMotion endorphin
  
  Date added: 10/20/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  High end synthetic motion - think of this as artificial motion intelligence.
  Procedural, 'relational' motion generation
  
  
  
  
• Node Reference - Web3D.org
  At last>>>> X3D Wiki!
  Date added: 1/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Accesible reference information on nodes and interfaces.
  This makes X3D development much easier!
  
  
  
  

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• Norgesglasset
  Geographic information, maps, ground plans
  Date added: 7/7/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Here you can zoom in to see the layout of each house, and verify addresses. Good ground for Norwegian georeferencing.
  
  
  
  
• Ogre Tuan Kuranes Code Snippets
  Paging Landscape Scenemanager and Meshviewer for Ogre
  Date added: 4/6/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This French coder is coming up with very useful contrivutions for making Ogre much more than a game graphics engine.
  
  
  
  
• OnEarth, server of the Landsat 7, WMS Global Mosaic
  high resolution geotiff mosaic from landsat
  Date added: 8/9/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Lots of memory and disk-space needed, but if you are georeferencing your worlds this is an invaluable resource for DEMs
  
  
  
  
• SOPack Plugin Pack
  Roads added to Terragen terrain
  Date added: 5/5/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Scripted addition of roads, houses, etc to Terragen terrain
  
  
  
  
• TerraSource - A Terragen Resource Center - Copyright 2001-2006 by Timothy J. O'Donoghue
  terragen resources
  Date added: 6/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Helpers and plug-ins for Terragen
  
  
  
  
• The Motion Capture Webpage
  
  Date added: 7/18/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Free, and useful BVH sequences for download here
  
  
  
  

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• TiledTextures.com. Making Great Things Happen To Surfaces!
  Making Great Things Happen to Surfaces! 30 Textures a Week = 120 Textures a Month = 1,500 Textures a Year
  Date added: 7/17/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Get your tilable textures here
  
  
  
  
• Topo H-ANIM
  French site detailing H-anim, and implementation
  Date added: 3/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Extensive and illustrated exposition of h-anim.
  Useful for authoring conversion utilities.
  French language.
  
  
  
  
• trueSpace Plug-ins
  Useful truespace tools
  Date added: 10/18/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Some polygon modelling utilities can be time-saving, handy for architectural work
  
  
  
  
• UnrealEd/RuneED Resources
  
  Date added: 10/29/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Lots of good pointers here
  
  
  
  
• USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) EROS, Sioux Falls, SD
  GTOPO30 is a global digital elevation model (DEM) resulting from a collaborative effort led by the U.S. Geological Survey's EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. GTOPO30 was developed to meet the needs of the geospatial data user community for regional and continental scale 30-arc second elevation data.
  Date added: 7/7/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  free downloads of 1 km resolution DEM data, by sector, worldwide
  
  
  
  
• Virtual Terrain Project
  Active community of people sharing resources, especially for building georeferenced web3D.
  Date added: 11/12/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  It's mostly free and open source, driven by cyber visionaries; the project manager and lead developer is Ben Discoe.
  The site also offers many examples and applications along with academic discussions.
  
  
  The goal of VTP is to foster the creation of tools for easily constructing any part of the real world in interactive, 3D digital form.
  
  This goal will require a synergetic convergence of the fields of CAD, GIS, visual simulation, surveying and remote sensing. VTP gathers information and tracks progress in areas such as procedural scene construction, feature extraction, and rendering algorithms. VTP writes and supports a set of software tools, including an interactive runtime environment (VTP Enviro). The tools and their source code are freely shared to help accelerate the adoption and development of the necessary technologies."
  
  

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• VRML Terrain Datasets
  High resolution, high realism example of GeoVRML. Using LOD.
  Date added: 9/28/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This virtual tour of Yosemite national park is impressive! Make sure you have the bandwidth and graphic power ready. Nice implementation of LOD. Many examples to browse here.
  
  Good portal to sources for geoVRML datasets.
  
  
  "A 21x27 km region inside Yosemite National Park, CA, at 1 m resolution imagery. The data include Yosemite Valley, featuring El Capitan and Half Dome. This dataset contains a total of 11 levels of detail, with a total dataset size of 1.9 GB. The imagery for this dataset is 21135 x 27090 pixels (JPEG compressed)."
  
  
• VRML2.0 PROTO library
  VRML2.0 PROTO library: free protos for your vrml needs
  Date added: 11/29/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Extensive collection of vrml protos, ready to plug into any world.
  Well suited as material for learning vrml scripting
  
  
  
  
• VRMLworlds.com PROTOs
  Interactive 3d worlds and games using vrml technology.
  Date added: 12/15/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  A number of useful protos found here. Good site for learning nuts and bolts of interactive vrml
  
  
  
  
• Web3D-fr - Objets, protos, modèles gratuits VRML
  French portal to VRML objects and avatars
  Date added: 9/13/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Also link to French 3D chat worlds for you to maintain your Francais
  
  
  
  3D Model Search Engine
  Vous cherchez un modèle en VRML 2.0 ? Ne cherchez plus, vous avez de fortes chances de le trouver sur ce site. Voici une base de données comportant environ 20.000 objets gratuits. Le site propose une recherche par mots clés, une prévisualisation des objets accompagnés de leur nombre de faces.
  
  
• Welcome to Michael's Blender Website!
  good hints on bvh conversion
  Date added: 7/18/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  good collection of bvh motion files for free download
  
  
  
  
• welcome to the Virtual Terrain Project
  
  Date added: 4/29/2007    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  A priceless source of information for anyone planning to create geo-referenced virtual worlds!
  
  
  
  

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• Welcome to TrueBones.Com
  Animation utilities for Truespace. Versatile FBX BVH, etc
  Date added: 3/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Source for some very viable animation libraries and translation utilities.
  
  
  
  
• wxWidgets Code Exchange Welcome
  wxWidgets code resources
  Date added: 11/17/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Go here for practical code examples suitable for getting started developing with wxWidgets
  
  
  
  

5. DISPATCHING CONTENT: browsers, plug-ins, projectors, hardware, servers


One of the main reasons why there has been so little "concrete" Web3D to be seen is the need for those extra clicks and installation hurdles frequently required to reach the content. Most visitors simply didn't want to be bothered, and left for more user-friendly sites. But this is changing now (2007).

One case in point, once again, is "Second Life". It was difficult to access, confusing and chaotic, yet it did boom because lots and lots of people found it fascinating and rewarding enough to go through with the learning curve. Second Life offers new creative possibilities, a working virtual economy along with enticing dimensions of social intimacy. People clearly want this enough to jump the technological hurdle and participate.

One major issue remaining is the question of standards. Will we continue to see commercial proprietary offerings in another "browsers' war", or will open standards dominate? My personal inclination is strongly towards an approach that allows content to be accessed universally, by any machine in any OS, free from patents or restrictive licences.

Up to TOP of list

• Ant Mobile Software
  Developer of software for Pocket PC and Macromedia Flash
  Date added: 3/17/2007    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Fullscreen flash applications on the PPC
  
  
  
  
• Bitmanagement: 3D viewer for VRML, X3D, MPEG-4
  Solid German programming for extending Web3D.
  Date added: 9/2/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Bitmanagement Software is considered by many the standard in their field against whom all others are measured. It may be the most widely used 3D browser today, and the most stable.
  
  But these developers are also forging ahead with innovation, especially in the opening field of interactive MPEG-4.
  
  
  
  The team of Bitmanagement actively supports the standardization of VRML as well as the todays VRML successor X3D (ISO/IEF(Final Draft International Standard) 19775 and realized the affiliation of several nodes (such as Nurbs) into the standard. An overview shows up fundamental VRML functionalities.
  
  Furthermore BS Contact VRML/X3D supports extensive extensions, that are needed by todays tools for the creation of 3D models and worlds. These extensions extend the usability of the visualization components up to a multimedia viewer for photo/ video/ audio and interactive realtime 2D/3D.
  
  
• Bitmanagement Labs
  VRML! Bitmanagement Software is a leading developer of software for interactive VRML 3-D user communities. Download software and visit our virtual reality information center,Worlds Tour Guide, and Avatar Gallery.
  Date added: 8/1/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Cecile Mueller made most of these examples in vrml or x3d for Bitmanagement. No other web3D browser has examples anywhere close to the ones found here. Recommended, inspiring!
  
  
  
  
• FlashVR 360°Panorama Player for Macromedia Flash
  This makes 360 panoramas accessible to almost everyone
  Date added: 6/3/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This works, but not with the high quality of the 'real' QTVR viewer. Some jerks and flittering. Still, as an introductory 'lure' for visitors to go on it's just right. USD 450,- for Producer's Edition
  
  
  "We're proud to present the world's first Flash solution for panoramic movies with realtime optical correction. No other plugins required!
  
  Our technology can be used by more than 95% of all internet users worldwide without additional installation. (NPD Online Survey 09/04)"
  
  
• GLPanoView
  QTVR viewer at almost one tenth the download size of Apple's
  Date added: 11/12/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  GLPanoView is a freeware player for cubic QTVR and equirectangular panoramic images with OpenGL. Quicktime is not needed.
  
  
  
  
• HOSTGATOR WEB HOSTING - cPanel, Reseller, and Dedicated Website Hosting
  We offer high quality web hosting, along with reseller hosting and dedicated servers. We host over 200,000 domains.
  Date added: 3/13/2007    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  competitive web hosting, reselling possible, open access, also mySQL
  
  
  
  
  

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• MobiX3D Player - Home Page
  x3d for Pocket PCs
  Date added: 4/26/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Using OpenGL ES a subset of X3D plays on handhelds.
  
  
  
  
• Octaga Player (VRML, WRL, X3D)
  Norwegian player in the Web3D scene
  Date added: 10/18/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  It's another case of my laptop showing its age. Things run, but not very well. I need to test this on more current hardware.
  
  The support claimed for MPEG-4 is interesting- I wonder how extensive this support is in terms of interactivity.
  
  Octaga has won appeal to high-end users, and large corporate groups. The integration of a digital wide-screen projector is "right on the money".
  
  Now, we are waiting to see these resourceful folk join the Web3D consortium :-)
  
  
  The Octaga Product Platform
  The Octaga technology offer useres a complete suite of 3D players, server and development environment based on the latest techniques and research. All products are all based on the same abstracthed system architecture. The Octaga Platform is designed to be allow easy integrated with your applications, regardless if you operate in CAD, Engineering, Education, Architecture or Distributed Simulation. The Octaga Platform product family also includes a SDK for developers of extensions to the players and server.
  
  Octaga is committedto support to ISO standards like VRML, X3D, MPEG-4, IFC, GML, and to have the best implementations of there in our viewing and server products..
  
  
• PTViewer 2.7L2 reference
  Versatile Java viewer for interactive panoramas
  Date added: 9/16/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  The PTviewer is widely used on the web since it works well, downloads quickly, and is easy to configure.
  
  
  
  
  PTViewer is a java applet that can be used as a viewer for panoramic images. It has been developed by Helmut Dersch, the author of the well known Panorama Tools software package.
  
  
• Share My World?
  HOw to link you WRL world to Blaxxunx server
  Date added: 4/10/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Handy way to get VRML out there for testing
  
  
  
  
• VRMLWorld.net - 3D Chat Gateway
  Hosting VRML multiuser worlds. Free
  Date added: 4/13/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  A very promising multiuser server for dispatching virtual worlds.
  At this time it works best with Bitmanagement, but Flux browser is getting there as well.
  
  
  
  
• Xj3D Java-based X3D Browser
  News and resources for developing and deploying XML enabled 3D.
  Date added: 11/22/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  The Web3D consortium offers not only official standards, but also this java-based viewer, well suited to test compliance with the X3D spec.
  
  
  Xj3D is a project of the Web3D Consortium Source Working Group focused on creating a toolkit for VRML97 and X3D content written completely in Java. It serves a dual purpose of being an experimental codebase for trying out new areas of the X3D specification and as a library that we encourage application developers to use within their own application to support X3D technology.
  
  

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6 . PORTALS: forums, reviews, associations, visionaries, galleries, e-Zines, cyber-theory

Here are sites that serve as portals or general forums where you can stay informed on the latest developments in the field. It is becoming a full-time occupation merely to keep abreast with the explosive evolution in the area of Web3D. There are links to links to links without end in sight.

After a year of delving into the field I have come to a point where I now routinely revisit the sites and portals that I know I can trust to keep an eye on significant emerging trends. There are also a number of forums where I hang out (hey, just Google "vnomad"!) to seek virtual wisdom.

See you there!

Up to TOP of list

• 3D Buzz
  3D tutorials and forum
  Date added: 10/18/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Many first class tutorials, some for free download, can be found here
  
  
  
  
• 3d-test - Solutions 3D temps réel interactive - Panorama of web3d technologies - Real Time 3D & Interactive
  3D TEST Technologies WEB3D Temps Réel Interactive media formats : VRML X3D MPEG 4 JAVA - Visites virtuelles et présentations 3D
  Date added: 2/26/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  French site reviewing the latest developments in Web3D
  One of the best places for keeping up-to-date on the technology
  
  
  
  
• 3DLinks.com - Ultimate 3D Links
  Portal to information on all things 3D, reviews, forums
  Date added: 9/28/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Wide spectrum of links, ads, free tutorials, lots of forums, all very much up to date and speed.
  
  
  
  
  
• 3DLinks.com - Ultimate 3D Links - 3D Software : Landscape / Terrain :
  Terrain generators
  Date added: 6/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Long list of alternative programs for terrain generation
  
  
  
  
• 3DValley.com Resource for 3D models textures tutorials and more
  A large and complete directory with thousands of free models and meshes, tutorials, textures, forums about 3D modelling and rendering.
  Date added: 4/7/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Metaportal for all things 3D.
  
  
  
  
• ::: INTUITION NETWORK OF EXCELLENCE::: EU goes virtual.
  Foundation for research on VR in the EU
  Date added: 11/29/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This is the "European" forum for developing, applying, and researching VR.
  
  
  
  

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• Avatara Pointworlds Portal
  
  Date added: 12/2/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Go here directly with Blaxxun's browser. Today - a museum of VRML art.
  
  
  
  
• CG Soup
  XSI Xpertise High-end training, hand on
  Date added: 3/19/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This is where arists learn to master high-end programs, with an emphasis on XSI. Integration pipelines for Zbrush as well.
  DeAngelis speaks from experience, “You can put a team of great people together, but if you don’t have solid infrastructure, or agreed work methods, it’s really hard to get things accomplished. A team of talented artist all bring unique talents and experiences to a team, but this doesn’t always guarantee that things will work from day one--a pipeline is unique to every studio.
  
  
  
  
• CGTalk
  CGTalk, the CGSociety's official forum for digital artists
  Date added: 2/20/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  On of the most informative forums in the CG area.
  
  
  
  
• CHATS 3D
  Updated listing of 3D chat worlds.
  Date added: 11/29/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  There are hundreds of worlds online for 3D chat. French site.
  But these days I seldom see other avatars here.
  
  
  
  
• Clickable Culture
  Clickable culture: good discussion on the latest cybertrends.
  Date added: 9/28/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Issues, such as the ethics of avatar-based marketing (advertars(!)), are discussed here.
  Good site to stay informed on current cybertrends
  
  
  
  
  
• Computer Arts - 3D World
  
  Date added: 12/1/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Online magazine covering trends in 3D, well worth visiting every now and then to stay informed.
  
  
  About the magazine
  3D World is the only international magazine for 3D artists: from home users to leading professionals. Each issue provides analysis of latest trends in the market, artistic and technical advice, impartial product reviews, and behind-the-scenes articles on the making of key projects in this progressive and fast-paced industry.
  
  

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• Constructing the Digital Universe
  Larry Sanger's blog.
  Date added: 8/7/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Cybervisionary archetype . .
  Companion of Joe Firmage, thus also Ken Wilber.
  Tech editor of Digital Universe, an "authoritative" alternative to Wikipedia. Larry cofounded Wikipedia.
  
  
  
  
• Daly Realism -
  Leonard Daly's portal and tutorials on Web3D.
  Date added: 9/16/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  
  
  
  
  
• DevMaster.net Forums - Powered by vBulletin
  DevMaster.net is a game development website that provides articles, a 3D engines database, a wiki, daily news updates, and an active forum!
  Date added: 6/29/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Another fine forum to discuss things related to game programming
  
  
  
  
• Digital Elevation Modeling and Mapping Digital Elevation Model
  digital elevation modeling and mapping techniques
  Date added: 8/3/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Good gateway to GIS. Reviews and utilities, links.
  Blackart utility to smooth terracing in converted contours.
  
  
  
  
• FlashMove - The Flash Movement
  The helpful flash resource site for all your macromedia flash needs. Site features search engine, competitions, tutorials, forum, links, gallery, events, usergroup, newsletter and more.
  Date added: 10/11/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Find answers to Flash issues here
  
  
  
  
• Gamasutra - The Art & Science of Making Games
  The art and science of making games.
  Date added: 9/6/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Keep up on the latest tech and trends in computer games.
  And the line between games and life is getting thinner as the Web gets virtually real.
  Game-engines of today may drive e-commerce tomorrow.
  
  
  
  

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• GameDev.net - all your game development needs
  Gamedev.net is the leading resource for game developers, featuring daily news updates, over 1500 featured articles and tutorials, dozens of game development jobs, and the most active game development forums anywhere!
  Date added: 10/23/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  FANTASTIC SITE (naturally).
  Take a look at their forums. A great place to learn programming. Game developers have to be clever.
  
  
  
  
• GameDev.Net Discussion Forums
  Gamedev.net is the leading resource for game developers, featuring daily news updates, over 1500 featured articles and tutorials, and the most active game development forums anywhere!
  Date added: 6/29/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  THE community for discussing game programming
  
  
  
  
• GameStudio Forum: The Starving Developer's Quickstart Guide 3/19/06
  useful list of inexpensive tools for 3D development
  Date added: 9/2/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  The Starving Developer's Quickstart Guide 3/19/06
  This collection of tools is continually updated
  Thread active since March 2006
  
  
  
  
• GMAN-GAMES: Virtools: Making “Making Games” Fun Again
  good introductory tutorial for Virtools
  Date added: 3/17/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Inspirational review of Virtools.
  
  
  
  
• GOLDEN POLYGON AWARDS - BEST WEB 3D CONTENTS - REAL TIME INTERACTIVE 3D
  The best web3D and other 3D can be seen here.
  Date added: 10/14/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Take a look to see who won, what they built, and with what tools.
  And enjoy!
  
  
  
  
• Hex value hexvalue digital gallery
  HexValue is a online gallery of digital artworks. HexValue show artists artworks from all over the world and their digital creations.
  Date added: 7/15/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Community (slightly on the decadent side) sharing virtual fantasies.
  Inspirational.
  
  
  
  

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• HEXUS.net - Definitive Technology News and Reviews
  English graphics technology news
  Date added: 9/12/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Good place to stay updated on the latest trends and technologies, particularly where 3D is concerned. Eg. Collada, shaders, etc.
  
  
  
  
• Humanoid Animation Working Group
  Specifications and mailinglist.
  Date added: 9/17/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This is where you find the official specs on h-anim.
  
  
  
  
• iSeemedia forums
  Forums for discussing iSeemedia products.
  Date added: 9/19/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Since I am an oldtime user of Reality Studio this forum is interesting to me.
  
  If they could update their viewer to include things like nurbs, h-anim, and support for sophisticated shaders I wold have few reasons to look further. As it stands right now, I'm using Flux to show things that iseeMedia can't.
  
  
  
  
• Oldunreal Forums - Index
  UT - Unreal Tournament, vintage discussion forum
  Date added: 11/7/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  There seems to be a lingering interest in the "classic" UT engine/game/ethos. A nice place here to learn the basic ropes of game programming.
  
  
  
  
• PerlMonks - The Monastery Gates
  For seekers of perl wisdom
  Date added: 4/18/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Ancient site, good tutorials, lots of hopelessly esoteric applications. Tremble, and dare ask, and you shall be helped here. Strikingly high density of clever taglines found here.
  
  
  
  
• Pixologic :: Education
  zbrush tutorials
  Date added: 7/15/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Educational forum for Z-brush users. Practically oriented, and professional.
  
  
  
  

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• Portal to about 500 virtual worlds
  Teleport to VRML Blaxxuun communities.
  Date added: 9/18/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Good portal to mulituser virtual Worlds. Live index of the most popular with instant access.
  Active site.
  You can see how many visitors are at particular worlds.
  
  
  
  
• TDT3D - CG French Network - portail infographie - galeries artistes et web3D, ressources 3ds max, wirefusion, 3d temps réel
  TDT3D CGnetwork portail Belge et Francophone de l'infographie et 3D temps réel, Communauté consacrée aux actualités technologiques, formations et techniques graphiques : web3d, images de synthèse et webdesign – spécialiste des produits Demicron wirefusion et Bauhaus Mirage
  Date added: 3/17/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  French web3D, rather scholarly
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The Computer Graphics Society
  High end graphics, latest trends, good place to keep posted on trends.
  Date added: 4/6/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Tools and trends in computer graphics. Reviews, articles, academic discussions
  
  
  
  
• The Escapist - Game Design in the Transfigured World
  In the next two centuries, roleplaying ideas will transform society. Game designers can help. Allen Varney predicts the day when imminent ubiquitous net allows reputation to abstract relationships in the same way money abstracts labor.
  Date added: 11/30/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  A cybervisionary's food for thought, the Escapist Magazine takes gaming to grand philosophical heights.
  
  
  
  
• Uncanny Valley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
  Date added: 8/4/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  In our drive to achieve the most life-like avatars, we do well to mind this: if the virtual human becomes TOO lifelike, the response turns negative.
  Japanese research.
  
  
  
  
• UnrealWiki: Home Page
  Best place to learn how to use UnrealEd
  Date added: 3/23/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  If you have decided to include Unreal in you pipeline, then you'll find lots of useful information here.
  
  
  
  

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• Virtual Reality Laboratory
  Swiss Mecca of Web3D
  Date added: 11/12/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Daniel Thalmann's renowned research institute. Both his wife and he are authorities in Web3D.
  Strong emphasis here on the interactive aspects of augmented reality.
  
  Some of their projects are esoteric, but fascinating. The "Project Humaine" in particular.
  
  
  The Virtual Reality Lab (VRlab), formerly Computer Graphics Lab (LIG), at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne (map) was founded in July 1988 by its director, Professor Daniel Thalmann. The laboratory is mainly involved in the modelling and animation of Three-Dimensional Inhabited Virtual Worlds. VRlab is a world leader laboratory in real-time Virtual Humans and a key player in the area of multimodal interaction, immersive Virtual Environments, and Augmented Reality.
  
  
• Virtuality - 3D Chat Worlds, Animated Avatars, Virtual Reality Resources, Wallpapers, VRML 3d Models, Free 3d Downloads
  Virtuality - 3d Virtual Chat Worlds, Avatars, VRML Models, Web3d directory, Wallpapers & Free Downloads
  Date added: 11/25/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Metaportal to virtal worlds, and 3D technologies
  
  
  
  
• VRML Ring
  The VRML Ring is open to all websites containing VRML embedded files or links to work created using any of the VR builder software. The VRML Ring consists of websites linked together to form a Tour
  Date added: 9/27/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Good portal to VRML content. Go here to visit some actual virtual worlds!
  
  Check in here to spy the GOOGLE ads that tag the focus. This gives a perspective on who does what in VRML-related areas, in business.
  
  I suppose I'll have to join this ring some day.
  
  
  The VRML Ring is open to all websites containing VRML embedded files or links to work created using any of the VR builder software. The VRML Ring consists of websites linked together to form a "Tour" of VRML content sites. Unlike a simple list of links, the VRML Ring will provide a guided tour of the VR websites linked together by the VRML Ring.
  
  
• WDVL: Tricks & Data, Flash Yin & Yang
  Good stuff galore for the lazy Web Designer
  Date added: 10/14/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Perl, Flash, Humor, well written iconoclastic tutorials found here.
  Well written, lucid Perl examples.
  This is one of the many useful references on the Web Developers' Virtual Library
  
  
  
  
• Web3D 2006 - Program
  2006 Web3D papers presented
  Date added: 4/26/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  An updated (per. April 2006) glimpse into who-does-what in Web3D.
  Herbert Stocker presents innovative animation protos for Contact, Bitmanagement broweser.
  
  
  
  
• Web3D Consortium - Open Standards for Real-Time 3D Communication
  News and resources for developing and deploying XML enabled 3D.
  Date added: 9/27/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  This is a fine place to go for solid specifications and standards, in particular regarding X3D. There is also a mailinglist with very insightful threads; learn what the real experts think about Web3D, and how they eff the ineffable ;-)
  
  
  
  

  Up to TOP of list

• Web3D-fr - Ressources VRML, Chat3D, 3D sur le web
  La 3D sur le web : Ressources textures gratuites, objets, Apprendre le VRML, Chat3D, X3D,
  Date added: 11/12/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Vive la France 3D.
  Another fine French offering to Web3D. Excellent tutorials. Vibrant community.
  
  
  
  
• Wildpeaks.com
  French site, portal and source for builders.
  Date added: 9/18/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Web3D has a high activity level in France. The French build with a fine sense of aesthetic, and light humor- there is a delightful quality of playfulness mixed with sophisticated savoir-faire.
  Run by Cecile Muller.
  
  
  
  
  **************Here's a little test to see how much you have the VRML disease :
  -- Add one point if you can type the infamous #VRML V2.0 utl8 header with your nose
  -- Add two points if your wife/husband/dog left you because you were spending too much time on VRML
  -- Remove one point if you didn't notice the typo in "#VRML V2.0 utf8" on the first question
  -- Add one point if you tried to edit your wife in VrmlPad but couldn't find the right unzip program
  -- Add one point if you find your wife's WorldInfo{} node
  -- Add one point if you find which lines of the prototype Wife{} crash the browser when having multiple instances
  -- Add one point if you find which lines of the the prototype Wife{} can USE the toplevel-scene line DEF money Switch{} and sets its whichChoice to -1.
  -- Add one point if your favorite cussing is "This is sfboolshit !".
  -- Add one point if you find which lines of the prototypes Wife{} and Mistress{} give a eventOut "disabled" when using shared variables
  -- Add one point if you draw geometric primitives with your food
  -- Add one point if you don't sleep more than 4 times a week
  -- Add one point if you even forgot where's your eventIn SFTime sleep
  -- Add one point if you start all your mails by "Dear node.getName(),"
  -- Add one point if it already occured that you skipped dinner because you didn't go to the shop because doing VRML instead
  -- Add one point if you forgot to go to the shop the whole week because of VRML
  -- Add one point if, when taking a piece of paper for remembering to go to the shop, you see that you wrote it already last week and that all you got left is a can of raviolis hidden under spider webs
  -- Add two points if the neighbours had to call the medics because you were starving
  -- Add one point if you rely only on your VRML calendar to tell you in which season you're in
  -- Add one point if you finish all your sentences by ";"
  -- Add one point if you find how to ROUTE a ProximitySensor's enterTime to your home's door
  -- Add one point if you think reality has nice lightmaps and textures
  
  
• World Builder's Guild
  Cybertown builders' haven
  Date added: 9/1/2005    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Cybertown is an archetypal virtual community.
  The Guild is just what you might expect: a group of proven builders.
  Good information on the art of creating avatars.
  
  
  The intention of the following pages is to provide insight and information to individuals wishing to know more about the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) in order to help them more fully participate in the 3D activities of Cybertown.
  
  
• XSI Base - Softimage XSI Community
  Softimage XSI Discussion Forum, Resources, Industry News and Features.
  Date added: 4/6/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  First class forum, tutorials, community, support for XSI, and the Industry, Web3D and non-Web3D
  
  
  
  
• ZBrushCentral
  ZBrush Discussion Forums
  Date added: 7/15/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  The official Pixologic forum. Tutorials, etc, etc
  
  
  
  

7. GEEK'S PARADISE

Need I say more?
Sometimes, in the heat of serendipity, I stumble across stuff that is simply ~~~WAY COOL~~~.
Of course, tomorrow most of this bleeding edge innovation will simply look quaint and passee; and some of today's innovations will live on merely to be taken for granted.

Up to TOP of list

• A slice of my brain
  Open Gui's creator's blog
  Date added: 11/19/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  A glimpse into the musings of a developer's spirit.
  Good links here to kindred souls.
  
  
  
  
• reddit.com: what's new online
  trends online
  Date added: 11/21/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  see what, by consensus, is hot on the net in realtime
  
  
  
  
• Science Frontiers Digest of Scientific Anomalies
  Science Frontiers publishes catalogues of anomalies in the sciences, and a newsletter of strange phenomena. Over 2000 reports available free online.
  Date added: 5/28/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Fun reading, esoteric science, archaeology
  
  
  
  
• Slashdot: News for nerds, stuff that matters
  Keep tabs on the tabs on trends
  Date added: 12/7/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  A classic take on the cutting edge of thingz Cyber.
  Visit from time to time to stay informed on trends and new lures
  
  
  
  
• ThinkGeek :: Stuff for Smart Masses
  Selling geek t-shirts, mugs, ties, high caffeine products, and many other gifts for programmers, linux hackers, and open source geeks.
  Date added: 12/7/2006    Last URL validation: 4/29/2007    
  
  Wonderful world of gadgets. Nice to have! Geeks' paradise.
  Some of the thingz found here are actually USEFUL. . .