Whurlwind, created by Bill Enright and John Louch, is a freeware Power Macintosh native application for viewing 3DMF or VRML models. Whurlwind relies on QuickDraw 3D, Apple's newest 3D graphics API, for rendering, picking, and navigation. The current version of Whurlwind allows users to view 3DMF and VRML models from different camera positions, and to jump to other Web sites. (Future versions will offer scene navigation, allowing users to wander around in virtual space. )
Note: Whurlwind requires QuickDraw 3D. If you don't have QuickDraw 3D, you can obtain it through the QuickDraw 3D web site (http://www.info.apple.com/qd3d).
Please send any requests or bug reports to both John Louch (jlouch@apple.com) & Bill Enright (demolish@netcom.com).
Version History
1.0d1 - Not for public consumption
1.0d2 - Initial release
1.0d3 - Fixed memory bug when reading VRML files. This bug would either crash the
machine or cause a blank viewer window to be shown after the file was read.
1.0d4 - New 3D border interface with live display of URL.
- Fixed bug in the VRML parser which caused Cones and Spheres to be drawn
incorrectly.
1.0d5 - Fixed Bill Enright's email account in this Read Me.
- Per-face colors (materials) are now supported for IndexedFaceSet nodes in
VRML.
- WWWAnchor nodes now behave like Separator nodes (previously, they behaved
like Group nodes) in VRML. Thanks to Marvin Landis and arizona.edu!
- VRML files that contain more than one node may successfully read in now (not
well tested).
- Fixed glitches in picking WWWAnchors/URLs.
Known Bugs
･ Does not handle VRML inventor formats well. Either crashes or causes a blank window to be shown.
･ URL anchors or launched on mouse down not on mouse up.
･ All files of type 'TEXT' are considered VRML. A 3DMF file must be of type '3DMF' to be displayed. In the future we well sense a 'TEXT' file to determine if it is either VRML or 3DMF.
･ VRML files with URL anchors in them cannot be saved into 3DMF files.
･ Only overall materials in VRML files are supported. Fixed in this version.
･ No inline, camera, or light support for VRML files, defaults are used instead.
･ 3D borders and URL strings are drawn slowly.
･ No support for inline URL links.
Quick How to Use
General
･ To open a 3D model select Open from the File Menu. You can open 'TEXT' or '3DMF' files.
･ You can open multiple windows subject to RAM
･ You can enlarge the viewing window by dragging on the lower right hand corner in the drag box.
To manipulate a 3D model
Use the tools at the bottom of the window. From left to right these tools are:
Camera - Returns the model to its start position
Distance - Click and drag upward to move the object away from you. Drag down to move the item towards you.
Rotation - Click on the object or outside of the object and move the mouse. Notice that the positioning of where you click determines the axis and type fo rotation.
Panning - Click and drag right or left of up or down to pan the object around on the screen
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How to Use Whurlwind as a Netscape Helper Application
1.From the NetScape Options menu, choose Preferences.
The Preferences window opens, showing Window and Link Styles.
2.From the menu displaying Window and Link Styles, choose Helper Applications.
The window changes to show the Helper Applications settings.
3.Click the New... button.
A dialog box appears displaying two text fields.
Click inside the Mime type text field, and type x-world.
Click inside the Mime sub-type text field, and type x-vrml.
Click the OK button.
4.Click the Browse button.
A file directory pop-up is displayed.
5.Select Whurlwind and click Open.
You're most likely to find Whurlwind in the Desktop Folder. (This is the NetScape default Temporary Directory.)
When you click Open, the file directory closes, and NetScape Preferences is displayed. Whurlwind is listed as the Application for the Mime Type
x-world/x-vrml.
6.Click the Launch application radio button.
7.Click the file type pop-up and select TEXT.
8.Click inside the Extensions text field, and type wrl.
9.Click the New... button.
A dialog box appears displaying two text fields.
Click inside the Mime type text field, and type x-world.
Click inside the Mime sub-type text field, and type x-3dmf.
Click the OK button.
10.Click the Browse button.
A file directory pop-up is displayed.
11.Select Whurlwind and click Open.
You're most likely to find Whurlwind in the Desktop Folder. (This is the NetScape default Temporary Directory.)
When you click Open, the file directory closes, and NetScape Preferences is displayed. Whurlwind is listed as the Application for the Mime Type
x-world/x-3dmf.
12.Click the Launch application radio button.
13.Click the file type pop-up and select 3DMF.
14.Click inside the Extensions text field, and type 3dmf.
15.Click OK.
The Preferences window closes.
That's it. Now, when you click a 3DMF or VRML link, the Whurlwind viewer will launch, displaying the scene or object in a separate window.
