Overview
What is 3D internet? Applications (why 3D internet is important) History (where weve been) Current Status (where we are) The Future (where were going)
What is 3D internet?
Combination of two powerful forces
the internet 3D graphics
Why now?
Until recently, there were two problems:
slow computers slow connections
Downloading 3D content took a long time Once downloaded, it ran very slowly Quality of the graphics was poor
Whats Changed?
Increased bandwidth into the home
cable modems DSL
Graphics accelerators
installed on all new machines able to provide fast, high-quality graphics
Applications
E-commerce
product visualization 3D virtual shops interactive demos 3D banner ads
Training
web-based training using interactive 3D
Applications (contd)
Games
multi-player, fully 3D (e.g. Sony Everquest)
Entertainment
streaming 3D animation (much lower bandwidth than video, can run full-screen, can have interactivity)
Social Interaction
3D chat spaces
Applications (contd)
Education
virtual field trips distance education as well as on-campus virtual experiments for physical sciences historical recreations for social sciences 3D data visualization for various fields
Design
How can 3D help me convey my message? What visual form should the 3D content take? (What is my metaphor?) What kinds of 3D objects are needed? How will they move? How will the user interact with them?
Polishing
Add sound, music if appropriate User actions should often have sound Put in context by creating a surrounding HTML page Add links to additional information pages
2D artists
probably already in-house for web page art generally use PhotoShop or PaintShop Pro
Animators
often same as modelers must be able to design for interaction
Programmers
Javascript, Java both common
Key Points
Simple 3D web sites can be easy to create Good 3D content can be compelling You need to build a good team Try to leverage existing 3D content wherever possible