Does the web have a 3D future? In the go-go nineties there was much hype about VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language), which was touted to transform the Web into a series of virtual worlds. That didn’t quite happen, but now there are renewed efforts to deliver compelling 3D Web experiences. You can try any of three recently overhauled browsers for a sample of how it works: 3B, Browse 3D or SphereXPlorer. Also keep an eye out for 3D Chat rooms such as 3D planets.
Meanwhile, an XML format called X3D is advancing, and let’s not forget about Microsoft Windows Vista. Vista’s Direct X 10 technology, the Windows Presentation Foundation and XAML (Extensible Application Markup Language) will make 3D application programming easy.
Touring the Web in a 3D browser is very different from standard Web surfing. For example, the 3B browser lets you stroll down virtual hallways – similar to the halls seen in first-person shooter games. You can visit 3D stores, shop for clothes or other items or click on a World Cup page to enter the virtual stadium filled with pages belonging to professional soccer players. You can also create your own 3D “village” using templated tools.
The Browse3D browser “was born out of frustration with browsing the web in a single window,” says Robert Randa, company CEO. It lets you view several Web pages at once.
The ultimate experience on a Web site. In the near future, we may see Web sites split in half—portions of the Web site will be in traditional Web technology and other portions will provide a richer 3D experience for users of Windows XP and Vista.
