[x3d-public] X3D meeting agenda, 2 May 2018: HAnimMotion animation and C/C++/C# New Work Item Proposal (NWIP)

Wed May 2 00:14:40 PDT 2018

Regrets:  Dick Puk.

Two topics:  HAnim and C/C++/C# review.
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1.  *HAnim Progress Review*.  Review progress and draft addition to X3D v4 specification.

For one month we have awaited response to a Web3D Board of Directors request to post a public update to HAnim v2 Draft International Specification (DIS).  As of tonight, still waiting.  If you use web3d.org links for STANDARDS > H-ANIM and then table entries for version 2, but are finding watermarks that say "Committee Draft 2", then the online version remains out of date.

Zip versions can be provided on request.  Meanwhile the master github version is available to Web3D members with accounts at

- HAnim Version 2 Part 1: Architecture
   https://github.com/Web3DConsortium/H-Anim/tree/master/ISO-IEC%2019774/ISO-IEC%2019774-1/ISO-IEC%2019774-1%20V2.0/ISO-IEC%2019774-1%20V2.0%20DIS%20Prep

- HAnim Version 2 Part 2: Motion Animation
   https://github.com/Web3DConsortium/H-Anim/tree/master/ISO-IEC%2019774/ISO-IEC%2019774-2/ISO-IEC%2019774-2%20V2.0/ISO-IEC%2019774-2%20V2.0%20DIS%20Prep

We have about 2-3 weeks of work remaining to complete this document.  The list of work is long but most critical items are now complete.  The HAnim Working Group continues meeting every Wednesday at 1700 pacific (morning Korea time) on this crucial endeavor, to good effect.  Ongoing status is maintained at

- H-Anim Specification Task List for DIS Submission
   https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v1peZ-k-k4u6vGAAEHtw5qEN-3OTZmpN3Vg3kNJgVp4/

Of specific interest to X3D working group are corresponding changes to X3D v4 Specification.  These are fairly terse since, as before, the majority of functionality descriptions remain in the HAnim specification itself.  Current draft is attached.

- X3D 19775-1 V4.0 Working Draft 1 (WD1)
   https://github.com/Web3DConsortium/X3D/tree/master/ISO-IEC%2019775/ISO-IEC%2019775-1/ISO-IEC%2019775-1%20V4.0/ISO-IEC%2019775-1%20V4.0%20WD1

Changes to HAnimHumanoid: addition of LOA field, a label indicating Level of Articulation (LOA) for a given model.  Values range from [0..4] matching the specification, with default -1 indicating no LOA is assigned.

Addition of HAnimMotion node:
====================================================================
====================================================================
26.3.4 HAnimMotion

HAnimMotion : X3DChildNode {
   SFString [in,out] description      ""
   MFString [in,out] channels         []
   MFBool   [in,out] channelsEnabled  []
   MFString [in,out] joints           []
   SFInt32  [in,out] loa              -1                  [-1,4]
   SFNode   [in,out] metadata         NULL                [X3DMetadataObject]
   MFFloat  [in,out] values           []                  (-∞,∞)
   SFTime   [in,out] frameTime        0.1                 (0,∞)
   SFInt32  [out]    frameCount                           [0,∞)
}

HAnimMotion is used for motion animation of Humanoid characters. Raw motion data, for example, motion capture data, details the number of frames, the frame display time, and the parameter values for the motion from each channel at each frame.

The description of each field shall be as described in ISO/IEC 19774.
====================================================================
====================================================================

Expected further changes:
a. addition of /enabled/ field to turn the overall motion replay on/off.  Important since no external stimulus (such as TimeSensor) drives the clock.
b. rename /frameTime/ as /frameDuration/ for clarity and correctness.
c. Expand to three levels in the HAnim component: 1. skeleton animation (classic), 2. skin animation (special thanks Joe Williams), 3. motion animation (special thanks Myeong Won Lee).

Further progress: X3D XML Schema and DTD are revised to match in version control and deployed, please see

- X3D Specifications: Schema and DOCTYPE Validation: selected assets
   http://www.web3d.org/specifications

   http://www.web3d.org/specifications/X3dSchemaDocumentation4.0/x3d-4.0_HAnimMotion.html
   http://www.web3d.org/specifications/X3dDoctypeDocumentation4.0.html#HAnimMotion

All questions and feedback on these and other HAnim changes are welcome.

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2. *Language Bindings for C/C++/C# Programming*

If time permits we will continue scrutinizing the X3D C and C++ language bindings New Work Item Proposals (NWIPs) as outlined in last week's working group meeting minutes.

In particular am hoping to discuss how to encourage engagement by various implementers of X3D/VRML using C, C++ and C#.

 From last week's meeting  minutes:

On 4/18/2018 9:24 AM, Don Brutzman wrote:
> 2. At face value, each draft specification document for C/C++/C# looks quite thorough and well prepared, but important concerns remain.
> 
> - Concern: one of the original contributors is no longer available to participate.
> - Concern: there is no plan of action outlined and no list of direct participants.
> - We could create a zip of each specification and request member review, asking for member commitment.
> - Section edit problem: duplicate prose need
> - Opportunity: several opportunities [for existing and new members to match X3D Unified Object Model progress being achieved by X3DJSONLD and X3DJSAIL implementations].
> 
> Summary: this has every indication of potential success, but who is willing to work on implementing it?  If we had one or two more experts willing to work with Dr. Lee, that would be enough tip these forward to recommending NWIP submission.
> 
> Our report to board:  we are close but don't have consensus to submit NWIP.  Member participation is essential.  Please help.
> 
> Meanwhile the working group is happy to continue helping on whatever improvements are requested.

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Observation.  There is a lot here, but am happy to report that we have achieved incremental improvements and important evolutionary extensions (such as mocap replay) without breaking any existing functionality.  Continued due diligence by X3D working group and community are much appreciated by HAnim working group participants.  Years of steadfast labor are close to fruition.

Additional questions welcome, thanks for all efforts supporting X3D!

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

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