VRML virtual reality modeling language

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VRMLvirtual reality modeling language
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what is it?

• standardised (sort of) notation for virtual
  reality over the web
• text file (use normal text editor)
• bit like a programming language
• also special world building software

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how do you use it?

• you need a VRML viewer
• Netscape/IE plug-in
• stand alone VRML viewer
• and a world
• find one on the net
• write your own!

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interactivity over the web???

• 'world' is downloaded
• interaction is local
• moving within the world
• links to the web?
• can be linked to from web pages
• active objects link back

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versions

• VRML 1.0 first version 'static'
  worlds - only viewpoint changes
• VRML 2.0 animated objects in world
  tidying up etc.
• N.B. VRML browsers highly inconsistent

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VRML file format

• filename (URL) ends ".wrl
• c.f. .html, .gif, .jpg etc.
• VRML 1.0 first line vrml 1.0 ascii
• VRML 2.0 first line vrml 2.0 utf8
• can have binary versions too

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contents of VRML file

• one or more nodes
• general format DEF object objecttype
  fieldname value . . .
  
• or simply objecttype
  fieldname value . . .

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types of nodes

• objects that appear in the world
• e.g. sphere, cone, cube etc.
• nodes that alter subsequent objects
• e.g. texture, color, transformations
• nodes that group other nodes
• also limit the effect of transformations etc.

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Examples

• When you are looking at a virtual world in
  Netscape you can use
• View Menu - Page Source
• and similar commands in other browsers.

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sphere
VRML V1.0 ascii Sphere radius 1
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add colour
VRML V1.0 ascii Separator
groups things together Material
diffuseColor 1.0 0 0
red green blue Sphere radius
1
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or texture map an image
VRML V1.0 ascii Separator Texture2
filename "big_alan.jpg" Sphere
radius 1
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a cone
VRML V1.0 ascii Separator Material
diffuseColor 0 0 1 bright blue
Cone height 3
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put them together ...
VRML V1.0 ascii Separator Separator
for sphere Texture2 filename
"big_alan.jpg" Sphere radius 1
Separator for cone Material
diffuseColor 0 0 1 bright blue
Cone height 3
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transform ...
Sphere radius 1 ... Transform
translation 4 2 0 4 to the right
and 2 up Cone height 3
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putting bits together
simply several cuboids texture mapped with wood
grain and with a photo.
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again and again

• include other VRML files
• add hyperlinks

WWWAnchor name "http//www.hiraeth.com/a
lan/" description "Alan's home page"
WWWInline name "alan.wrl