Q&A
What are Kinetix's VRML tools for the Web?
Kinetix's VRML tools for the World Wide Web consist of :
What is VRBL?
VRBL stands for Virtual Reality Behavior Language, and is Kinetix's new specification for extending the current capabilities of VRML worlds. Until now, VRML worlds have been mostly static worlds, where users can only navigate up, down, left, right, etc., within a 3D space. Now, with VRBL, users will actually be able to view animations within VRML worlds. VRBL supports creation and playback of line of sight triggers, proximity triggers and pick triggers. This means that users can trigger animations and behaviors based on their location and activity in a 3D scene, such as while playing games over the Web, working with simulations or any other type of interactive 3D experience. VRBL is an open standard. We encourage other developers and third parties to incorporate the VRBL specification into their tools.
What are the Kinetix VRML Exporters for 3D Studio and 3D Studio MAX?
The Kinetix VRML Exporters are plug-ins that convert 3D geometry from our internal formats into VRML 1.0 (Virtual Reality Markup Language). This means that Autodesk developers can now create 3D Studio and 3D Studio MAX content for the World Wide Web. The 3D Studio and 3D Studio MAX exporters support Virtual Reality Behavior Language (VRBL), which means you can play animations within these VRML files.
What is Topper?
Topper is a Netscape 2.0 compatible plug-in which allows users to explore 3D worlds. With this plug-in our customers can embed 3D scenes created with 3D Studio and 3D Studio MAX on their Web pages. Since Topper supports VRBL, our users will experience dynamic 3D interactive worlds. VRML Viewers which do not accept VRBL will ignore the VRBL extensions, so users can create VRBL enhanced VRML worlds that can be viewed in all VRML viewers. However, the keyframe animations and proximity triggers will only play in VRBL-enabled viewers. Topper also supports .3DS and .DXF file formats.
What is the difference between release 1.2 and 2.0 of the 3D Studio Exporter?
Release 1.2 creates generic VRML 1.0 files. Release 2.0 creates VRML 1.0 files enhanced with VRBL. In R2.0 users can specify animation and interactive triggers. Both exporters are available for download from our Web site at www.ktx.com.
When will the 3D Studio MAX Exporter be available?
The 3D Studio MAX Exporter will be available when 3D Studio MAX ships this spring.
What about the VRML 2.0 Moving-Worlds specification from SGI, and how will Kinetix support it?
Our 3D Web tools currently support VRML 1.0. Kinetix will support the Moving-Worlds specification in subsequent releases.
How will Kinetix distribute these 3D tools for the Web?
We plan to distribute these tools free from the Kinetix Web site at www.ktx.com. Already, you can download version 1.2 of the 3D Studio plug-in on our site. Kinetix's collection of VRML tools work together as a 3D realtime simulation engine that will ship inside Hyperwire, a Java-based authoring tool for the Web, as a 3D plug-in object. These VRML tools will also be available as a Netscape compatible plug-in we will soon make available to the general public.