Content & Code

SHOUT Interactive showed some extensions to their Core-Profile and proposed X3D implementation- NURBS, and MultiUser components that should be released in the near future. They have posted Shout3D developer's kits for the major platforms which allow you to convert VRML 97 into plug-in-less 3D! Spazz3D's powerful new authoring software (version 2.0) can also export your VRML as well and has a Shout3D wizard to make it easy!

Shout3D is a lite, cross-platform (Java), low-budget solution for 3D web delivery that currently can run a subset of VRML97 functionality. With a small applet, end-users can get interactive 3D content without a browser plug-in and under 80K. A VRML 97 Applet is not yet available, so some nodes are unsupported. A big plus is that the X3D Core profile IS and they provide a SDK to convert your content. A branded demo is available for free and a developer's version for $199.00.
Watch for Issue 2 when we show some of this technology!

Blaxxun Interactive also has Java X3D Core-Profile applet called Blaxxun3d which is available as a branded demo for free and per domain at $499.00.

ParallelGraphics- If you need the broader capabilities of a full VRML browser, but are concerned about plug-in download, ParallelGraphics has released a seamless, incremental download technology for their Cortona browser. Initial invisible install is around 500K.

DRaW Computing- As of our last update, the Draw Computing X3D Core-Profile implementation is the only one to have an XML parser built in weighs in at around 200K.

Spazz 3D Authoring- A new release of a powerful 3D Web authoring tool: Spazz3D! From sophisticated modelling capabilities like Index Face Set point and polygon editing with Spheres of Influence, swept surfaces, and NURBS to cool pre-fab animations and full key-frame control, Spazz now ranks with the most capable 3D Web Production tools. In addition to flexible VRML Export options, Spazz now has Shout3D Export and costs a bargain $100.00!

Watch out for Issue 2 where we implement, investigate, and compare these products for the 3DEZine!