VRML - Virtual Reality Modelling Language

VRML97 (or Vrml 2.0) is a language for the description of 3-dimensional scenes (worlds), including lighting, texturing and preferred viewpoints, together with mechanisms for interaction and animation. The creation of a VRML world description requires only a text-editor, although there are tools that produce VRML source-files as output. Viewing a VRML world/animation usually requires a VRML browser in association with a Web-browser although there are stand alone viewers. The basic VRML object is an IndexedFaceSet. However, simpler structures are also provided, such as Box, Sphere, Cylinder, Cone, ElevationGrid and Extrusion which require fewer parameters for their specification. An IndexedLineSet and Text are also provided. The VRML browser allows the user to view the world, to move around it, panning, zooming and revolving. Directional and point-source lighting can be specified both in position and colour. Surfaces can specified giving colour, reflectivity and texture. Preferred Viewpoints can be specified. Interpolators are provided which allow the author to create smooth changes in position, colour and rotation in animations. Sensors allow the user to interact with the scene. PROTOtyping allows the author to create new, reusable structures. Advanced control, outside that which is basic to a VRML world, can be supplied using Scripts that may, currently, be written in JavaScript or Java. Facilities also exist for the inclusion of sound and moving textures.

VRML has been around for some time but never reached its potential. This was probably because of the limitations of the earlier machines and video-cards. It was hoped that VRML would become universal and a vrml browser part of the standard equipment for every user. In the interim, the 3D world has adopted a variety of solutions but a universal standard, one that is actually used widely, still eludes.

Current work on a successor to VMRL, X3D, is nearing completion. Modelers are urged to migrate to the new standard. I have started to look into it but it remains to be seen whether this will fare any better than VRML. Currently, the few available viewers or browsers for the new specifications have deficiencies that will mean that, in the main, I will stick to the older systems for the time being.