Web3D X3D XML Syntax Overview 
Joe D Williams
Web3D X3D XML Syntax - 3D EveryWhere!

VRML -> X3D 
 A discussion of the 
 XMLization and DOMification 
 of VRML.

Open Standard
 Some might explain that the XMLization of VRML is 
 simply a distraction interjected into the otherwise calm 
 and deliberative explorations and discussions of VRML 
 functionality and extensions thereof. 

 Significant proprietary and open source VRML97 
 implementations 'live' in the hands of users. 

Text Format
   VRML97 encoding (VRML97 ISO Spec)
   XML encoding (new )
 First Priority is 100% Lossless transcoding. 
 nodes-and-fields -> elements-and-attributes ???

SAI and DOM 
   Scene Access Interface, general node/field/event access,
   strongly typed accessor/mutator. 
   DOM convenience methods for accessing a generic XML doc 
 Seem to work togeher!

VRML97 Shape
 Basic VRML97 Syntax using IDL

appearance
 Basic VRML97 Syntax using IDL

geometry 
 Basic VRML97 Syntax using IDL

IndexedfaceSet 
 Basic VRML97 Syntax using IDL

A Result - Shape 
 Basic VRML97 node including defaults 

Basic XML
 Elements contain Content and Attributes
 The Basic Content Tagset
 The Empty Element
 Elements can be Content
 XML Namespaces

X3D XML Shape tag
 Basic VRML97 Syntax using IDL

Shape Schema 
 Developing the Shape Schema from the X3D IDL

IFS Schema 
 Developing the IndexedFaceSet encoding and Schema.

Appearance and Material Schema 
 Schema and XML encoding examples

Results
 Basic X3D XML node including defaults

Encoding Choices 
 nodes-and-fields -> elements-and-attributes ???
 complex, multi-component variables 
 schema capabilities 
 existing content 

Variable Types 
 VRML97 ->  X3DXML Variable types

The Diagram(s) 
 some graphs of the hierarchy, manual and autogenerated.

Example Viewpoint 
 X3D XML encoding of Viewpoint node. 
Lights
 X3D XML encoding of lighting nodes.
Some Others 
 X3D XML encoding of various nodes.

Example Animation 
 X3D XML encoding of simple keyframe animation.

An X3D Scene 
 Expected encoding of .x3d file. 


X3D Capabilites  - start ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Web3D X3D (X3DXML and X3DVRML encodings): 
 Scenes Navigation Geometries Materials 
 Lights Time Events Routes Prototypes 
More: 
 Scenes Viewpoints Navigation Manipulation Geometries Lights
 Textures Materials Events Sensors Anchors Timers Interpolators
 Routes Scripts DEF/USE Inlines Prototypes External Prototypes
 Object and Texture Libraries 
 External interfaces

Environment and Interactivity 
 The goal of all this is to produce an highly responsive 
 interactive environment with a believable 
 Structure and hierarchy - like real life.
 Well Virtual Real Life, anyway. 

Visualization and Navigation
 Basic elements in the Visualization is the ability 
 for the Author to set defined viewpoints to observe 
 the scene contents from practically any point in the scene, 
 and to be able to navigate around the scene 

Human Interface 
 There are many types of interface devices you may use 
 to hook yourself up to the Scene, but anything you use 
 must provide some sort of Pointing Device to allow you to 
 touch and select objects and control your movement. 

X3D Capabilities  - End +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=