WEB3D: International Conference on Web3D Technology

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2LIP: Filling The Gap Between The Current And The Three-Dimensional Web
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Jankowski, Jacek; Decker, Stefan; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
Paradigm (2LIP), for designing simple yet interactive 3D web applications, an attempt to marry advantages of 3D experience with the advantages of the narrative structure of hypertext. The hypertext information, together with graphics, and multimedia, is presented semi-transparently on the foreground layer. It overlays the 3D representation of the information displayed in the background of the interface. Hyperlinks are used for navigation in the 3D scenes (in both layers). We introduce a reference implementation of 2LIP: Copernicus - The Virtual 3D Encyclopedia, which can become a model for building 3D Wikipedia. Based on the evaluation of Copernicus we show that designing web interfaces according to 2LIP provides users with a better experience during browsing the Web, has a positive effect on the visual and associative memory, improves spatial cognition of presented information, and increases overall user's satisfaction without harming the interaction.
3D Modeling in a Web Browser to Formulate Content-Based 3D Queries
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Berndt, René; Havemann, Sven; Fellner, Dieter W.; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
We present a framework for formulating domain-dependent 3D search queries suitable for content-based 3D search over the web. Users are typically not willing to spend much time to create a 3D query object. They expect to quickly see a result set in which they can navigate by further differentiating the query object. Our system innovates by using a streamlined parametric 3D modeling engine on both client and server side. Parametric tools have greater expressiveness, they allow shape manipulation through a few highlevel parameters, as well as incremental assembly of query objects. Short command strings are sent from client to server to keep the query objects on both sides in sync. This reduces turnaround times and allows asynchronous updates of live result sets.
ADML: A framework for representing inhabitants in 3D Virtual Worlds
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Oyarzun, David; Ortiz, Amalia; Carretero, Maria del Puy; Gelissen, Jean; Garcia-Alonso, Alex; Sivan, Yesha; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
Last years, a new fashion over Internet and computer networks has been established: the 3D virtual worlds. Reports about Future Internet predict virtual worlds will play a major role in the configuration of the future network. They bet on those virtual environments will encompass the ability to become highly adaptive to user preferences (having into account eInclusion aspects), and they will provide a high level of interoperability. However, current 3D virtual worlds are far from cover these issues. This work is focused in providing a preliminary solution about customization and interoperability in the field of avatars representation. They are a key element in the 3D virtual worlds because using 3D avatars is a common way for representing virtual world inhabitants. First of all, nowadays there is not a way for defining all the avatar features that are important for simulating a real person, and for defining their identity. Besides, features that can be specified are usually defined in a closed and proprietary format that does not allow migration among virtual worlds. Thirdly, eInclusion aspects are not taken into account. This work proposes a preliminary framework for specifying a complete avatar identity by means of features that are not dependent on the virtual world context or interaction events. Those are appearance, personality and communication skills. Moreover, for providing a tool that describes the framework, the base for a new XML-based language -ADML- has been created. The language will allow specify avatar identity features taking into account eInclusion aspects and it will allow migration among worlds. Part of this language has been accepted into the new MPEG-V standard proposal.
An asymmetric 2D Pointer / 3D Ray for 3D Interaction within Collaborative Virtual Environments
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Duval, Thierry; Fleury, Cedric; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
In this paper we present a new metaphor for interaction within Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVE). This metaphor is dedicated to non-immersive or semi-immersive 3D interactions, for which users cannot afford to buy expensive devices neither for 3D visualization of their virtual environment nor for interaction. With these low-cost restrictions, we think that it is more effective to use basic 2D metaphors rather than to try to adapt 3D virtual metaphors which would be more difficult to use because of the poor immersion level offered by such systems. The problem that will arise within a CVE is that it is difficult to make a user aware of the 2D metaphors used by another user, because they are not associated with a 3D virtual object of the shared universe. So our idea is to provide to a user a 3D virtual ray (using ray-casting for object selection) that would act like a 2D pointer on the screen, allowing the user to only control the 2D position of the closest ray end, and calculating the orientation of the ray so that its projection on the screen would always be a point. This way, since the user is controlling a 3D virtual ray, the other users can be made aware of his activity. To test the efficiency of this 2D Pointer / 3D Ray, we have made some experiments making users compare different devices to realize some simple selection and manipulation tasks. The results show that this kind of 2D solution is efficient and allows 3D interaction within Virtual Environments by people who cannot afford expensive immersive hardware. This new metaphor allows more users to collaborate within CVE.
Beyond Viewpoint: X3D Camera Nodes for Digital Cinematography
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Weekley, Jeffrey D.; Brutzman, Don; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
This paper describes four candidate X3D extension nodes: Camera, Shot, Movement and OfflineRendering. An X3D lexicon for camera movements is defined so that individuals directing virtual cameras in X3D can directly apply terms that film directors and cinematographers understand. This approach greatly simplifies the technical tasks involved in creating precise camera animations and setting up still images for digital photography. Further, candidate methods are examined for implementing Depth of Field for focus control. Moving beyond the typical clumsiness of Viewpoint control can enable authors to create compelling still and moving images from X3D scenes.
Chemical Education using Feelable Molecules
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Davies, R. Andrew; Maskery, James S.; John, Nigel W.; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
Two different approaches for the preparation of novel cost-effective molecular haptic applications (Figure 1) are described. The former utilises Perl scripting within a commercial molecular modelling package to generate static / animated H3D scene graphs for haptic CPK space-filling atomic perception. Within the second approach, key chemical concepts such as reactivity, aciditity and periodicity can be investigated using prototype H3D user interfaces.
Detecting Inconsistencies in the Design of Virtual Environments over the Web using Domain Specific Rules
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Mansouri, Haithem; Kleinermann, Frederic; Troyer, Olga De; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
the web for various purposes such as education, collaborative working or social networking. Unfortunately, the development process of such environments remains a demanding task, often accessible only to VE experts despite the availability of a number of Virtual Reality (VR) authoring tools. On the other hand, VE experts are seldom domain experts. This implies that their knowledge on specific domains can most of the time be limited. This could lead to design errors or, as in most cases, longer development times and efforts as the development process become an iterative one involving many revisions. One way of accelerating this process is by making it possible to capture a specific knowledge of a domain and later use this knowledge to automatically check that the design of the VE meets the requirements of the domain. This way, we ensure the conformity of the VE to the requirements of the domain for which it is being developed and by extension also to the customer's requirements. As a result, development times and efforts can significantly be shortened, while reducing the likelihood of error making. This paper describes an extension to an existing approach called VRWISE that focuses on reducing development times and efforts of VEs using domain oriented terminology and ontologies.
Digital Oil and Gas Pipeline Visualization using X3D
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Zhen-pei, Li; Ping, Li; Ming, Wu; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
With the development of oil and gas pipeline construction, management technology and information technology, it is highly desirable to create a visual oil and gas pipeline management system to improve pipeline management efficiency. Meanwhile, with the increasing network tendency of digital oil and gas pipeline, it is urgent to publish pipeline data to the internet to enhance pipeline information sharing. In this study, we use Extensible 3D (X3D), which is a software standard for defining interactive web- and broadcast-based 3D content integrated with multimedia, to build a web-based, interactive and 3D dynamic virtual oil and gas pipeline system. The implementation process and method of 3D terrain modeling, pipeline modeling, pipeline affiliated facilities modeling, and pipeline parameters real-time displaying through integrating X3D with Java and OPC are also introduced. The digital oil and gas pipeline visualization system provides an effective way for pipeline staffs and managers to visually fetch pipeline information through web. The system also provides some useful functions such as over standard early-warning, linkage alarm for pipeline routine administering and maintaining. Our application results also indicate that X3D is a practical solution for web3D and virtual reality applications.
Enterprise-level architecture for interactive web-based 3D visualization of geo-referenced repositories
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Simoes, Bruno; Conti, Giuseppe; Piffer, Stefano; Amicis, Raffaele de; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
Interoperability, interactivity and 3D visualization are three of the most important challenges related to Geographical Information Systems. In the last few years, research on interoperability has evolved from simple exchange of spatial data files, through the establishment of standardized spatial data repositories, to the first initiatives allowing management of semantic aspects of data. Interoperability has been mainly hampered by the need to agree on standards, and to develop appropriate tools and methods. The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) has proposed a number of standards with the intention of promoting interoperability through the use of open services such asWeb Mapping Service (WMS),Web Processing Service (WPS),Web Feature Service (WFS) andWeb Coverage Service (WCS). However, there are a number of open issues regarding interactivity, 3D data visualization, fault tolerance, scalability, server-independent implementation, delayed-time transactions, to name but a few, that clearly reflect the need for further study and discussion. This paper presents a service-oriented architecture in the context of interoperable Web 3D GIS applications, designed to support features such as manipulation, processing and visual analysis of geographical information.
Extending X3D for Distributed Multimedia Processing and Control
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Repplinger, Michael; Löffler, Alexander; Schug, Benjamin; Slusallek, Philipp; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
Web-based applications of interactive 3D computer graphics are showing a tendency to get more interconnected and visually complex. Virtual communities like Second Life demand realism not only in terms of realistic rendering, but also in terms of integrated multimedia content. For these Web-based applications, X3D is the ISO-standard way to specify and manipulate scene descriptions. In terms of multimedia integration, however, X3D offers to specify content only in the form of URLs pointing to files. Modern middleware for distributed multimedia, on the other hand, allows applications to harness the full range of multimedia processing as well as transparent use and full control of both local and remote components. Integrating a full multimedia processing pipeline into X3D would enable Web authors to use, for example, streaming media, post-processing on media streams, or routing between scene elements (e.g., sensors) and elements of multimedia processing (e.g., TV cards). A full integration of multimedia in X3D is yet missing. In this paper, we propose X3D extensions for a seamless mapping of a distributed multimedia flow graph onto an X3D scene graph, making all the features of a distributed multimedia middleware accessible and usable within an X3D scene. We present our proposed specification and implementation of multimedia nodes for X3D. Using examples and implemented X3D application scenarios, we show the simplicity and feasibility of our approach.
Function-based haptic collaboration in X3D
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Wei, Lei; Sourin, Alexei; Stocker, Herbert; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
We seek to further expand X3D by augmenting it with functionbased definitions of geometry, appearance and tangible physical properties. Besides using alone, the introduced nodes can augment and enrich the standard X3D shapes by function-defined geometry, appearance and tangible physical properties. These new virtual objects can be explored haptically with various desktop forcefeedback devices. We also propose a general visual and haptic collaborative framework for using it with X3D. We implement it as new pilot versions of BS Collaborate server and BS Contact VRML/X3D viewer. In our collaborative framework, two pipelines - visual and haptic-complement each other to provide a simple and efficient solution to problems requiring collaboration in shared virtual spaces on the web.
GPU-based Real-time On-surface Droplet Flow in X3D
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Jung, Yvonne; Behr, Johannes; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
This paper presents a method for the GPU-based real-time simulation of droplet flows on 3D surfaces. It is also outlined, how this approach can be embedded into X3D. Therefore, a concept and its implementation is presented, which is able to simulate droplet flow on almost any surface of a given 3D model. The droplet flow is advanced in time according to the applied external forces, and leaves a trail of liquid behind. Different viscosities are considered as well as the contact angles of droplets that are placed on the surface. Because simulation and rendering of droplet flow is completely handled on the GPU, all fluid information is hold entirely in texture memory. Hence, real-time framerates are achieved and moreover, the number of simulated drops does not influence performance.
An Incremental SMLAOI Algorithm for Progressive Downloading Large Scale WebVR Scenes
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Wang, Wei; Jia, Jinyuan; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
Interactive downloading huge virtual scenes on Internet is always a challenging task of large scale DVE(Distributed Virtual Environment) systems. Along classical progressive transmission mechanism based on AOI (Area of Interest), this paper proposes a new concept SMLAOI (Scalable Multi-Layer AOI). Then,presents an integer incremental SMLAOI culling algorithm without multiplication, divisions and floating calculations, which allows the WebVR regions nearer to current viewpoint to download with higher delivery priority, and reduces time that a user need to wait for initial scenes. Finally a framework of progressive downloading large scale WebVR scenes based C/S is designed.
Integration of Haptics with Web3D using the SAI
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Kurmos, Liam; John, Nigel W.; Roberts, Jonathan C.; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
Haptics force-feedback technology is fast becoming a consumer product and no longer only found in research laboratories. The emergence of the budget Falcon device (Novint Technologies, Inc., USA) represents a key step in the dissemination of haptics technology as it offers this functionality to home users, in particular to games players. Haptics has the potential to revolutionise the Human Computer Interface if novel and creative software solutions can be found to utilise it. Currently developing for haptics requires low level programming knowledge, which is often a barrier to uptake. This paper looks at how haptics support can be integrated into an X3D authored virtual world using an open source haptics library via the Scene Authoring Interface (SAI). We supply a partial implementation of a Java wrapping to the HAPI open-source haptics library and provide a demonstration of its use within the Xj3D browser through SAI. This work is intended to contribute to a possible future haptics extension of the ISO X3D standard.
Interactive stories on the net: a model and an architecture for X3D worlds
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Carnielli, Efrem; Pittarello, Fabio; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
This work discusses a model and an architecture for interactive stories to be displayed on the net, designed for being independent from the specific story represented and suitable to different literary genres. They are the result of a formal approach, based on the research performed in the domain of narratology. The analysis of narrative theories, and in particular of the approach proposed by Cesare Segre, has led to identification of the story model. Such model, extended towards non-linearity, has been used as the basis for implementing an architecture for managing the evolution of the story and representing the final result as an interactive X3D world for the net. The discussion of a case study, related to the autobiographic novel "The Sergeant in the Snow" by the famous Italian writer Mario Rigoni Stern, completes the work.
Preface and Table of Contents
(ACM, 2009) Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
A Processing Pipeline for X3D Earth-based Spatial Data View Services
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Reitz, Thorsten; Krämer, Michel; Thum, Simon; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
Over the last years, a high demand for scenario-specific visualizations of 3D urban models has evolved. At the same time, established service specifications do not yet provide the means to define 3D map products and to deliver them in suitable formats, since they are focused on traditional 2D map products. In this paper, we present an approach for the definition of a 3D urban model view service. This approach consists of a three-step process, in which original geodata is integrated, filtered and then transformed into various scene graph formats such as X3D. We were able to maintain a high degree of compatibility with existing services and specifications such as Styled Layer Descriptors and the Web Map Service interface. The paper concludes with the experiences gathered from implementing and using this approach and provides an outlook as to how the lessons learned can be used in application and standardization.
Proposed Enhancements to the X3D Geospatial Component
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) McCann, Michael; Puk, Richard; Hudson, Alan; Melton, Rex; Brutzman, Don; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
The Geospatial Component of the X3D Standard suffers from some deficiencies that prevent its wider adoption. This paper addresses two of these deficiencies. The first problem is that in order to reduce spatial jitter content must be built with regionally defined GeoOrigin nodes. This approach is fine for localized regional geospatial data visualization requirements, but fails for accurately viewing data in a global context or for combining content with different GeoOrigins. The second problem is the limited options for providing terrain data to the browser for rendering. The GeoLOD node is not the optimal solution for allowing the X3D browser to render terrain data in a high performing manner. This paper presents solutions to these problems for consideration by the Web3D community.
RTSG: Ray Tracing for X3D via a Flexible Rendering Framework
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Rubinstein, Dmitri; Georgiev, Iliyan; Schug, Benjamin; Slusallek, Philipp; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
VRML and X3D are the most widely adopted standards for interactive 3D content interchange. However, they are both designed around the common restricted functionality available in hardware graphics processors. Thus, most existing scene graph implementations are tightly integrated with rasterization APIs, which have difficulties simulating advanced global lighting effects. Conversely, complex photo-realistic effects are naturally supported by ray tracing based rendering algorithms [Glassner 1989]. Due to recent research advances and the constantly increasing computing power of commodity PCs, ray tracing is emerging as an interesting alternative for interactive applications. In this paper we present RTSG (Real-Time Scene Graph), a flexible scene management and rendering system. RTSG is X3D-compliant and has been designed to efficiently support both ray tracing and rasterization using a backend-independent rendering infrastructure. We describe two ray tracing and one rasterization backends and demonstrate that they achieve real-time rendering performance.
Towards a new Camera Model for X3D
(The Eurographics Association, 2009) Jung, Yvonne; Behr, Johannes; Dieter W. Fellner and Alexei Sourin and Johannes Behr and Krzysztof Walczak
Creating and setting the right parameters for the virtual camera is crucial for any content creation process. However, this is not easy since most current camera models, including the X3D Viewpoint, use a 3D position and orientation in 3D space to define the final visualized image. People use authoring tools or simple interactive navigation methods (e.g. "lookAt" or "showAll") to ease the process but at the end they still move a 6D (translation and rotation) camera beacon to get the final image. We thus propose a new X3D camera model, the CinematographicViewpoint node, which does not force the content creator to move the camera but allows the author to directly define what objects he would like to see on the screen. We borrow established techniques from the film area (e.g. rule of thirds and line of action) that allow defining objects and object-relations, which the camera model will use to automatically calculate the final transformation in space. The new camera model includes additionally a model for global visual effects (e.g. motion blur and depth of field), which allows incorporating classical film effects to real-time scenes. Both approaches combined allow content creators building visual results and camera movements that are closer to traditional filming much easier. The proposed approach also supports automatic camera movements that are bound to interactive content, which has not been possible before.

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