VRML

VRML is a text file format where, for example, vertices and faces of polyhedrons can be specified along with surface color , textures , gloss , transparency, and so on. URLs can be linked to graphic components, so that a web browser can retrieve a web page or a new VRML file from the Internet when the user clicks on a graphic component. Movement, sounds, lighting and other aspects of the virtual world can appear as a reaction to user actions or to other external events, such as timers. A special component of Script Node allows you to add program code (for example, Java or JavaScript ( ECMAScript )) to a VRML file.

VRML files are usually called worlds and have the extension .wrl (for example: island.wrl). Although VRML worlds use text format, they can often be compressed using the gzip compression algorithm so that they can be transferred over the network in less time. Most 3D modeling programs can save objects and scenes in VRML format.

For further collective development of the format, a Web3D consortium was created.

The first version of VRML was released in November 1994. This version was based on the API and file format of the Open Inventor software component, originally developed by SGI. The current and functional version is VRML97 (ISO / IEC 14772-1: 1997). Now VRML is being supplanted by the X3D format (ISO / IEC 19775-1).

The concept of VRML was introduced by Dave Raggett in a paper presented at the First International Conference on the World Wide Web (1994) and first discussed at WWW94 VRML BOF established by Tim Berners-Lee where Mark Pesce presented the demo Labirinth ( "Labyrinth"), he developed in conjunction with Tony Parisi (Tony Parisi) and Peter Kennard (Peter Kennard).

VRML reached the pinnacle of popularity after VRML 2.0 was released in 1997 , when it was used on some personal pages and sites, mainly for 3D chats. The format was supported by SGI Cosmo Software (the core of the programmers of this unit was in Moscow and now it is the Parallel Graphics company). When SGI was restructured in 1998, this division was sold to Platinum Technologies , which was then purchased by Computer Associates. The latter did not develop and distribute programs for VRML. The void has been filled with various non-durable commercial 3D Web formats that have emerged over the past few years, including Microsoft Chrome , Adobe Atmosphere and Shockwave 3D , none of these formats is supported today. The capabilities of VRML remained the same, while the capabilities of three-dimensional computer graphics operating in real time were growing. VRML Consortium changed its name to the Web3D Consortium and began working on a descendant of VRML - X3D .

Although VRML is still used in some areas, especially in the educational and research fields, where open specifications are most appreciated, it can be said that it has been supplanted by the X3D format. MPEG-4 Interactive Profile (ISO / IEC 14496) was based on VRML (now on X3D) and X3D, for the most part, backward-compatible with it. VRML also continues to be used as a file format for exchanging 3D models, especially in CAD .

• 3DMLW - 3D Markup Language for the Web ( 3D Markup Language for Web )
• COLLADA - managed by Khronos Group
• O3D - developed by Google
• U3D - Ecma International ECMA-363 standard
• X3D - successor to VRML

• VRML ISO / IEC 14772 specification
• Web3D consortium
• Annuaire des mondes virtuels et chats 3D: options single-user-mode / multi-user-mode avec images et liens directs vers ~ 1000 mondes

• Textbooks and examples in Russian
• comp.lang.vrml - Usenet newsgroup on GoogleGroops on VRML