Warning!!!! This page was created in 1995, and is horribly outdated!!! Most of the links are probably dead, and all the information here still refers to the VRML 1.0 specification. I recommend you visit the Web3D Consortium's VRML Repository for all the latest information about VRML.

Introduction to VRML

VRML is a developing standard for describing interactive three-dimensional scenes delivered across the World Wide Web. VRML browsers are intended to work in conjunction with HTML browsers such as Mosaic and Netscape, providing a navigational tool into virtual 3D worlds. These worlds can contain 3D objects which have hyperlinks to other VRML worlds or HTML documents.

Most of the following information was gathered from the web pages located at the San Diego Supercomputer Center's VRML Repository.

Example Objects and Worlds

Here are just a few interesting examples of VRML, chosen to provide inspiration for your own creative projects. More examples can be found at VRML Repository Example Applications page, Serch Database page, and 3Dsite's VRML page.

• 3D Objects
  • Marvin's Woodworking Projects
  • ORC Inc. Objects
  • Gallery Warehouse

  
  

• Visualization
  • Tucson DEM
  • Neurobiology Confocal Dataset
  • Molecular Binding Simulation (Time Series)
  • NCSA Relativity Group
  • Database Visualization

  
  

• Complete Worlds
  • Arizona 3D Logo
  • UIC CAVE Environment
  • Palladium
  • University of Essex
  • New College Home Scene
  • VRML Mall
  • Abulafia VRML Art Gallery

Browsers

In order to view VRML objects, your Web browser must be configured with a suitable VRML extension. Here are tables showing the availability of browsers for various operating systems as of Sept. 1, 1995. Click on the browser name to link to the HTML page containing more information about each browser and how to download the software.

Scene Builders and Tools

The most important tools for creating VRML worlds are the VRML 1.0 Specification and your favorite text editor. As more tools become available that automate the VRML creation process, these two things will become less necessary. But for now, most VRML artists will still need to resort to editing at least some parts of their VRML file by hand. Listed below are some of the other tools currently available that can help in the creation of your own VRML world.

• 3D Object Converters
  • ORC Inc. Conversion Server - Supports Alias (.alias), AutoCAD (.dxf), AutoDesk 3DStudio (.3ds), IGES (.iges or .igs), Inventor (.iv), SoftImage (.hrc or .dsc), and Wavefront (.obj) formats.
  • Organic Online Conversion Server - Supports AutoCAD (.dxf) format. Files are loaded and saved on a semi-private ftp site.
  • DX2VRML - IBM Data Explorer module that exports a dx object and optional camera view(s) into a VRML file.
  • 3D Studio R4 to VRML 1.0 IPAS Module - IPAS module that runs under 3D Studio Release 4. It converts 3D Studio objects (including meshes and lights) into the VRML 1.0 standard format.
  • WCVT2POV - MS-Windows program that converts between various 3d file formats. These formats include VRML, 3d studio, Wavefront, POVRay, NFF, DXF, TrueType Fonts, and others.
  • lwtoiv - Lightwave 3D file converter for SGI workstations with Open Inventor libraries.
  • wadtoiv - SGI program that reads in a Doom wad file (and, optionally, a patchwad) and outputs a specified episode and mission map in Open Inventor format.
  • VRML Repository Geometry Translators list - Links to other geometry translators that support VRML format.

  
  

• Object Creation Tools
  • SDSC wrlgrid - Generate geometric grids in the form of "grout" (line segments), or "tiles" (filled polygons).
  • CubeWorld's VRML Page - Program to create VRML objects from ascii floor plans, a virtual maze generator, and VRMLSketch.
  • Topographic Map Generator - Interactively generate VRML scenes of topographic maps of the world. (Try longitude of -110, lattitude of 33 for area surrounding Tucson).
  • VRML Authenticator Page - Submit the URL for your object to this authentication page, it will automatically check the syntax of your supposed VRML file and report the results.

  
  

• Scene Creation Tools
  • Virtual World Factory - Create VRML worlds by filling out HTML forms.
  • IVL - A language for creating and manipulating VRML scenes using simple English-like descriptions.
  • Caligari Fountain - Windows 95 VRML authoring tool and browser.
  • Home Space Builder - Windows compatible VRML authoring tool. Unsupported beta version available via anonymous ftp.
  • VRML Repository Modelers list - Links to information about commercial 3D object modelers and scene layout software that support VRML format.

There is also a recently released book by Mark Pesce, one of the original developers of VRML, that explains basic VRML terminology and concepts, as well as advanced and future directions of VRML. The book is titled VRML: Browsing and Building Cyberspace.