[X3D-Public] Why Web3D matters. [Fwd: X3D Binary Compression Capabilities and Plans, for discussion]

[Don Brutzman]

Hello X3D community.  If you've ever wondered why we have a
Web3D Consortium and working groups, or ever wondered why what
value membership brings, here is a good example.

We have a Web3D Consortium to protect the X3D specifications,
keeping them free for any use.  It is a non-profit partnership
that benefits commercial companies, academic institutions,
agencies and (perhaps especially) individual authors and users.

We have working groups to continue building X3D capabilities
together.  Cooperative efforts always produce stronger results
than proprietary closed companies can produce working alone.
Our process continues to pass the "test of time" and show progress.
Everybody involved benefits from shared discussion and insights.

So anyway, here is a slice-of-life snapshot of dialog in the working
groups.  As usual, we have a lot going on.  More and more frequently,
we find that we are already ahead of other parts of the 3D industry.
This message is interesting because we're trying to describe how many
pieces of good work are getting stitched together into an even more
powerful mosaic.

If you are interested in joining Web3D Consortium, great!  More info
is online at www.web3D.org and our Executive Director Anita Havele
will be happy to discuss any questions you might have.  Further dialog
is also welcome here.

Thanks for considering the possibilities, and good luck with your work.


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: X3D Binary Compression Capabilities and Plans, for discussion
Date: Fri, 09 Dec 2011 06:02:51 -0800
From: Don Brutzman <brutzman at nps.edu>
Organization: Naval Postgraduate School
To: X3D Graphics member mailing list <x3d at web3d.org>,  Cad3D working group <cad at web3d.org>
CC: anita.havele at web3d.org

Web3D working group members:  Anita and I had an excellent discussion
yesterday regarding various efforts around the world to consider
possible improvements to compression and transmission of 3D graphics.

We've had plenty of discussions and presentations during the last 2 years
about possible evolution and forthcoming efforts regarding X3D compression.

Here is a proposed summary of our capabilities and plans.  More
work to follow by the working groups!  Comments and improvements
are welcome, thanks for considering these strategies.

==============================================================

_X3D Binary Compression Capabilities and Plans_

- Approved ISO standard Compressed Binary Encoding (CBE) for X3D
-- .x3db file extension
-- based on Fast Infoset (FI) ISO standard for XML compression
-- two independent open-source implementations in Java and C++

- CAD Distillation Filter (CDF) technique allowing successive
	refinement of large X3D scenes into tighter X3D scenes
-- multiple filters implemented in open-source Xj3D, X3D-Edit
-- multiple other tools available with these capabilities

- Plan to add a further-improved X3D Compressed Binary Encoding
	using now-approved W3C Recommendation for Efficient
	XML Interchange (EXI)
-- Web3D contributed to EXI standard to ensure needs of 3D graphics met
-- Design will include compatibility with CDF techniques, XML Encryption
	and XML Digital Signature for author authentication
-- This meets most needs of digital authors for digital rights management

- Some capabilities for network flexibility
-- Anchor, Inline, prototypes and LOD for successive retrieval of content
-- Willing to consider integration of progressive mesh technologies,
	perhaps by a Call for Contributions
-- Patented technologies can be considered, but only if eventual use
	will be royalty free for X3D use (if accepted)

- Web3D's X3D and CAD Working Groups each have commitments to pursue
	this continued innovative work in 2012
-- X3D appears to have have an 80% solution already available that meets
	various requirements for a 3D transmission format

==============================================================

Our current specification is online via the Most Recent Standards page:
http://www.web3d.org/realtime-3d/specification/current
http://www.web3d.org/files/specifications/19776-3/V3.2/
http://www.web3d.org/files/specifications/19776-3/V3.2/Part03/X3D_Binary.html

all the best, Don
-- 
Don Brutzman  Naval Postgraduate School, Code USW/Br       brutzman at nps.edu
Watkins 270,  MOVES Institute, Monterey CA 93943-5000 USA   +1.831.656.2149
X3D graphics, virtual worlds, navy robotics http://faculty.nps.edu/brutzman