The Future of Web3D

1
The Future of Web3D

• Neil Trevett
• Senior VP Market Development, 3DlabsPresident,
  Web3D ConsortiumChairman, Khronos Group

2
The Future?
The best way to predict the future is to invent
it.Alan Kay
What is the commercial context for our Web3D
efforts?
What is the VITAL ROLE that Web3D can play in
that industry?
How should we organize and work to best fulfill
that role?
3
The Rich Media Dream

• The ability to merge traditional 2D media
  interactively with 3D media - Rich Media
  
• To be able to deliver it securely - anytime,
  anywhere
  
• To build this kind of dream takes technology
  innovation and industry cooperation
  
• What are the pieces of the puzzle?

4
Making 3D a Part of Rich Media
DELIVER Rich Media Including 3D graphics
CREATE Rich Media Including 3D graphics
COMMUNICATE Rich MediaIncluding 3D graphics
Standards are needed to make this vision come
true
5
The Micro Universe of 3D Standards
Khronos GroupEnabling advanced 3D graphics to be
accelerated on embedded devices including cell
phones
CREATION
DELIVERY
OpenGL ARBEvolving the capabilities of graphics
hardware to enable real-time, interactive
cinematic realism
Web3D ConsortiumEnabling the communication of
real-time 3D content across applications,
networks and the web
COMMUNICATION
Note not ignoring Java!Java has a community
standardization processThese technologies are
used by Java applications
6
OpenGL 2.0 Shading Language

• 3D Graphics programmable hardware enables
  cinematic realism
  
• OpenGL Shading Language cross platform C-like
  language
  
• Can create almost unlimited shader programs
• A single VPU contains hundreds of floating point
  processors
  
• Its like a free supercomputer with every
  graphics board
  
• Blurring the boundaries between CG and
  interactive content
  
• Real-time Toy Story within the next 3-5 years

Fixed function hardware
Programmable hardware to accelerate complex
shading algorithmsIN REAL TIME
7
Evolving Delivery Systems

• Cell phones - evolving into ubiquitous, personal,
  media-capable computing devices before our eyes

VisionGane Report Wireless Gaming 2002-2007
Currently there are around 5M wireless games
users in Europe but by 2005 this number is set to
grow to an astonishing 130M
Jul02 IDC 150M imaging phones by 06
Nov02 Nokia projects 50M imaging phones in 03
Dec02 ALL NTT DoCoMo 3G phones
have imaging
ARC Group ReportWorldwide Market Analysis
2003-2008 To date, over 40 cellular operators wo
rldwide have launched mobile video services
2003Images
2004Video
20053D Games
8
OpenGL ES Embedded Graphics

• Khronos has created a small-footprint subset of
  OpenGL
  
• Created with the blessing and cooperation of the
  OpenGL ARB
  
• Full functionality for 3D games
• On a wide variety of platforms including
  handhelds
  

Feedback and Ratification
ARB
EmbeddedFocus
WorkstationFocus
Eliminate Redundancy
Small footprint e.g. 50KB software engines
Eliminate Workstation Functionality
9
OpenGL ES Roadmap

• Being updated every year by default
• To keep pace with rapidly developing handheld
  platforms capabilities

Full high-level shading language capability to
harness the power of programmable hardware
OpenGL 2.0
Shader programmability for embedded devices
OpenGL ES 2.0
Widely available cross-platform 3D graphics API
OpenGL 1.5
Increasing emphasis on enabling emerging hardware
with video support and enhanced 3D pipeline
OpenGL ES 1.1
OpenGL 1.3
Enabling software AND hardware implementations
including small-footprint, low-end fixed point
platforms
OpenGL ES 1.0
Mid-03
Mid-04
Mid-05
10
OpenGL ES Central to Mobile 3D
COMMUNICATING 3D Content
C/C Applications
JavaApplications
Usable directly by applications
MiddlewareLibraries
GamesEngines
Browsers
Usable by higher abstraction libraries
Hardware OpenGL ES Engines
Software OpenGL ES Engines
Close to the metal API provides portability AND
flexibility
J2ME
Brings advanced 2D/3D graphics to a wide range of
platforms
11
The Micro Universe of 3D Standards
KhronosDelivery
ARBCreation
ARB Defines how to program shaders using GLSL W
eb3DWorks out how to send shaders across a
network KhronosFigures out how your cell phone
will play them
Shaders
Web3DCommunication
12
Free 3D From its Rectangular Prison!

• 3D must be much more than something special in
  a window
  
• 3D needs to be a first-class media type

Macro View of 3DBEGINNING to happen
E.g. Looking Glass and Longhorn 3D UIsX3D in
MPEG-4 and XML
The 3D Universe
APIsFile formatsGPUs and VPUsShader Programs
Etc.
This is just the Micro View of 3D
13
Web3D Consortium The Macro View
Communicating via Broadcast X3D is the 3D compone
nt of the MPEG-4 standard tightly integrated 3D
and video
Communicating via the WebX3D defining how 3D
graphics is integrated into the 2D via XML
MPEG Experts in video creation and delivery
W3C Building the foundation of the Worldwide Web
Web3D has cooperative agreements with other key
standards bodies to promote 3D solutions to the
wider industry
ISO Creating International Standards
Communicating into the FutureA stable and
long-lived standards foundation for companies to
build their future upon
14
Communicating 3D is our Vital Role
Between applications
Open Standards to enable the communication of
real-time 3D across networks and XML-based web
services
Between systems
15
Communicable 3D Death by 1,000 Apps

• Web3D does not have a killer application
• But many, diverse uses across different market
  segments
  

No single market segment has enough demand for 3D
communications to create commercial critical mass
Communicating 3D in CAD Markets
Communicating 3D in GIS Markets
Proprietary Web3D solutions typically fail as
they address only one segment and dont find
enough customers
Communicating 3D in VizSim Markets
Communicating 3D in AEC Markets
Need TRANS-SEGMENT STANDARDS to amortize the cost
of developing 3D communication solutions across
ALL segments
Communicating 3D in Broadcast Markets
Collectively all the segments together form a
commercial critical mass
Communicating 3D in Medical Markets
Games are not the killer app although a 30Bn
industry most games are 3D apps that
communicate they dont communicate 3D
16
X3D a Trans-Segment Standard
Vertical Working Groups use X3D to vertical
market SOLUTIONS
Markets that need to communicate 3D
An extensible, adaptable foundation standard
The X3D Working Group defines a foundation
TECHNOLOGY
17
Cross Segment Synergy

• Vertical focus is key to enable market segments
• But a cross-segment ecosystem will begin to form
  to the benefit of all
  

Detailed segment solutions can cross-fertilize
other segments due to the use of a common
foundation technology X3D
Communicating 3D in CAD Markets
Communicating 3D in GIS Markets
Communicating 3D in VizSim Markets
Communicating 3D in AEC Markets
Communicating 3D in Broadcast Markets
Communicating 3D in Medical Markets
E.g. CAD, H-anim, GIS, AEC solutions are
interoperable for advanced 3D applications
18
Consortium 3.0 In Construction
Strong Commercial Focus To effectively play our r
ole in the larger industry Enabling the
communication of interactive 3D
19
Consortium Participation Model
Contributor rights PLUS guaranteed seat on the
Board
The Board decides on strategy what Working
Groups, how spend the budget, ratification of
Final Specifications, sending ratified
specifications to ISO
Promoters
Any organization or individual can join. All
work is done in WORKING GROUPS WGs Produce Final
Specifications and other products. WGs open to
ANY member. All work-in-progress is Confidential
to the membership
Individual rights PLUS vote in Working Groups and
vote on bylaws changes
Contributors
Individuals
Can stand for election to the Board. Participate
in Working Groups. Early access to specification
drafts
Members
Example sampleimplementations, Conformance
Tests etc. Fee for access waived for members.
Openly and publicly distributed free of charge
AdopterPackages
RatifiedSpecifications
Adopters
Conforming products can use trademark
ISO
Implementers
Anyone can download specification and implement
royalty-free products
Selected standards are entered into the ISO
process
20
Conclusions

• Rich Media integration of 3D is a significant
  commercial opportunity
  
• For both hardware and software communities
• Communicating 3D is Web3Ds vital role in this
  vision
  
• X3D - and its application to vertical market
  segments - is critical
  
• Web3D is enhancing its commercial focus to ensure
  it plays its role effectively
  
• Industry participation is vital
• Web3D Membership is open to all and beneficial
  to its members
  
• Get involved in making the standards we all
  need!
  
• (And get the inside track advantage on your
  competitors)
  

www.web3d.org