VRML EAI is problematic and fails with some
combinations of browser, plug-in and OS so pure
Java solutions should be considered ( Cosmo works
works best with VRML EAI ).
I've done VRML EAI, I'm happier with pure Java.
I don't know of any example of VRML EAI working
with Java 2 and Swing ... and I think it's a bad way to go.
Quote:
> Is anyone using the VRML EAI with Java Applets
> running in the new Sun Java 1.3 Plug-In environment ?
> I just can't get past the null pointer problem, yet if I run the
> vrml bits of the java using the MS VM it works fine. All the
> classes appear to be in the right places and I've tried the
> For-Loop trick from the FAQ but I still only get a Null for
> the BrowserFactory.getBrowser function. I've used WinNT4
> SP6a and Win98SE with IE5, Contona 2.2 VRML Viewer
> and Sun JRE 1.3 Plug-In. I need the Java2 stuff for Swing
> based GUI controls, but I'll give this up if there's no solution.
" VRML / X3d Loaders for Java3d " ( FREE : Source Code for Loaders )
---------------------------------------
http://www.hypermultimedia.com/Xj3D/getstart.htm
http://www.web3d.org/TaskGroups/x3d/sun/doc/
http://www.vrml.org/WorkingGroups/vrml-java3d/downloads/0.90/README
http://www.web3d.org/WorkingGroups/vrml-java3d/
http://www.web3d.org/WorkingGroups/vrml-java3d/
downloads/0.90/vj3d0.90.2.src.zip
http://www.web3d.org/TaskGroups/x3d/sun/doc/vrml/Browser.html
http://www.web3d.org/WorkingGroups/vrml-java3d/
downloads/0.90/vj3d0.90.2.src.zip
http://www.web3d.org/TaskGroups/x3d/cvsweb/cvsweb.cgi/~checkout~/x3d/
player/Vrml97Player.java
I'm using a custom blend of the 0.90.2 loader and the new x3d loader.
( Parser.jj doesn't look very friendly ... Windows & Symantec Cafe )
Try it yourself ... the VRML file & a Web Interactive Program :
Features : Nancy obeys your commands, make her Jump, etc.
" YOU Control Human Animation Avatar " ( Web Interactive Java )
-----------------------------------------------
http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/H-Anim_Avatars.html
http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/shout3d/models/
H-Anim/nancy_H-Anim_x3d.wrl
Most these files work for me with Java3d & Shout3d :
http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/shout3d/models/H-Anim/
This has a nice collection of avatars ( for you to try ) including :
- a Talking Monkey - the original loads with j3d (Protozoa)
- Mini Man 2++ throws Darts, a future game player
- Signing Avatar ( Finger Spelling )
- Nancy Obeys you commands : Walk, Run, Jump, etc.
You _ CAN _ have both ... using VRML and Java ...
__ HIGH __ SPEED _______ : Java3D & VRML
__ HIGH __ PORTABILITY __: Java 1.1 & VRML
- this same VRML file works with :
- Java3d ( for greatest speed )
- Java 1.1 ( for greatest portability )
- VRML plug-in viewers ( Comso, Contact, Cortona )
- Java3D runs with OpenGL and can take advantage of
compiled, optimized, and machine specific code for
higher speed and higher quality rendering.
- Java 1.1 runs is most modern Web Browsers and on all
major platforms including :
- Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Solaris, Be, EPOC ...
VRML can ( as shown ) include portable, interactive,
3d animations that and is portable to all of these devices
with Java 1.1 and can use hardware accelerators -- where
available -- with Java3D ... giving you high portability and
high speed.
H-Anim, the Human Animation standard, lets artists and programmers
work together --- and separately --- letting each stay within their area of
expertise and excellence --- so the result combines the best of both.
VRML and H-Anim are Open Standards of the Web3d Standards Group.
VRML and H-Anim are portable and not limited to any CPU or OS.
Java is portable and not limited to any CPU, OS ... or the Desktop ...
Java3D may be difficult to install ... the timid may with to avoid it ...
Java3D offers speed & customization for those motivated to be leaders.
Java support in browsers is _ * MUCH *_ better ... and getting better ...
Improved support for VRML, Java, and Java3D in browsers is
supported by :
-- Sun, AOL - Time Warner, Web3d, and the U.S. military ... ; ^ )
-- Java3D is supported by : Sun, SGI, HP, Windows, Linux.
If you're smart & unhappy with your current VRML Viewer
... make your own ... YourOwn3d :
Any fool can write a 3d VRML Viewer : I have, you can ! :
" VRML Java Viewer " -- My Favorite, My Own, et all.
http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/java3dviewer.html
http://www.anfyteam.com/dev/
http://www.cs.tu-berlin.de/~ki/engines.html
http://www.shout3d.com/about.html
http://www.blaxxun.com/products/blaxxun3d/showcase/index.html
VRML EAI with Java allows you to combine the elegant
Object-Oriented-Programming features of Java with the
speed of the compiled, optimized - for - the - machine code
of the plug-in VRML Viewers ... I've done it, and it works ...
" VRML EAI / Java Demo & FAQ " ( People Poser )
http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/HAnimPoser.html
http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/eaifaq.html
But it is a hassle and it creates portability problems failing
when people try it with browsers or plug-ins that don't properly
support the required features so I've mostly switched over to
using Java3D and the Java 1.0 / Java 1.1 VRML / X3d Viewers
from Anfy, Blaxxun, Shout, and just now, ParallelGraphics ...
and my own 3d Engines ...
Disclaimers :
re: " If you're smart & unhappy with your current VRML Viewer ... "
A challenge & invitation to some, disparaging no one & certainly not you.
Portions of this message have been recycled.
-- Paul, Java Developer & Web Animator.
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" Imaging the Imagined : Modeling with Math & a Keyboard "