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X3D is the ISO standard XML-based file format for representing 3D computer graphics, the successor to the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML).^[1] X3D features extensions to VRML (e.g. Humanoid Animation, NURBS, GeoVRML etc.), the ability to encode the scene using an XML syntax as well as the Open Inventor-like syntax of VRML97, and enhanced application programming interfaces (APIs).

[edit] Standardization

X3D defines several profiles (sets of components) for various levels of capability including X3D Core, X3D Interchange, X3D Interactive, X3D CADInterchange, X3D Immersive, and X3D Full. Browser makers can define their own component extensions prior to submitting them for standardisation by the Web3D Consortium. Formal review and approval is then performed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Liaison and cooperation agreements are also in place between the Web3D Consortium and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC), Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) and the Khronos Group.

A subset of X3D is XMT-A, a variant of XMT, defined in MPEG-4 Part 11. It was designed to provide a link between X3D and 3D content in MPEG-4 (BIFS).

The abstract specification for X3D (ISO/IEC 19775) was first approved by the ISO in 2004. The XML and ClassicVRML encodings for X3D (ISO/IEC 19776) were first approved in 2005. ^[2]

[edit] Applications

There are several applications, most of them being open source software, which natively parse and interpret X3D files, including the 3D graphics and animation editor Blender3D and the Sun Microsystems virtual world client Project Wonderland. However, it has not received a wider ground of acceptance in other, more notable and proprietary software applications.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Alternatives

• 3DMLW — 3D Markup Language for Web
• COLLADA — managed by the Khronos Group
• O3D — developed by Google
• U3D — Ecma International standard ECMA-363
• VRML — precursor of X3D

[edit] See also

• Active Worlds virtual reality multi-user 3D chat platform
• Blaxxun virtual reality multi-user 3D chat platform
• Flux, freely downloadable VRML/X3D editor/browser
• FreeWRL, free Open Source VRML/X3D browser
• List of vector graphics markup languages
• MeshLab open source mesh processing system that can export VRML/X3D
• Seamless3d free Open Source 3D modelling software
• Open XML Paper Specification
• OZ Virtual
• Web3D
• WebGL

[edit] References

[edit] External links

[edit] Example documents of X3D code

• http://www.web3d.org/x3d/content/examples/HelloWorld.x3dv (Flux browser)
• http://www.web3d.org/x3d/content/examples/HelloWorld.x3d (Flux browser)
• http://cic.nist.gov/vrml/nistlogo.x3dv (any browser)
• http://cic.nist.gov/vrml/nistlogo.x3d (any browser)

[edit] General

• X3D Resources, X3D Conversions, X3D Books, and X3D Examples
• Player support for X3D components and Tool support for X3D components
• VRML and X3D Plugin Detector that determines which VRML and X3D plugins are installed in your web browser
• X3D at the Open Directory Project
• List of X3D Open Source Projects maintained by web3d.org

[edit] Documentation

• X3D Specifications
• Web3D Consortium
• X3D Wiki
• X3D Tooltips
• VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) and X3D
• Extensible 3D: XML Meets VRML