[x3d-public] X3D Standards minutes 12 JAN 2024: X3D Scene Access Interface (SAI) 19775-2 revision started, much additional activity

Fri Jan 12 18:09:44 PST 2024

Attendees:  Anita Havele, Nicholas Polys, Dick Puk, Don Brutzman.

Prior minutes:

*	X3D Working Group meeting 4 JAN 2024: charter goals for a great new year!
*	https://web3d.org/pipermail/x3d-public_web3d.org/2024-January/020182.html

The “X3D Standards” Working Group continues weekly teleconferences.  Web3D members, liaison partners, and interested X3D community members are welcome to participate.

*	X3D Working Group weekly teleconference, Fridays 090-1000 pacific (12-1300 eastern)
*	https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81634670698?pwd=a1VPeU5tN01rc21Oa3hScUlHK0Rxdz09 
*	https://zoom.us/j/148206572  Password 483805 
*	https://www.web3d.org/member/teleconference-information 

Preliminary items

Review of Web3D Consortium Twitter (aka X) account.  All announcements of general value are welcome.  We will begin posting weekly meeting-minute summaries, and links to the message in the hypermail archives.

*	Web3D Consortium Twitter
*	https://twitter.com/Web3DConsortium

Wondering were any videos captured from Web3D 2023?  Yes there were… we are looking forward to coordinating with Vicomtech to capture and expose them on our YouTube channel.

*	Web3D Consortium YouTube
*	https://www.youtube.com/@Web3DConsortium

Draft charter goals continue to organize our weekly review of progress.  The current charter seems useful, some communications updates were applied today.  Refined charter is attached,  continuing refinements from today’s discussion and consideration are highlighted.  Comments remain welcome.  

a.	X3D Specifications Synchronization.  Update, review, implement and advance all corresponding X3D specifications for file encodings and language encodings, continuing rigorous attention to detail through Web3D Consortium, W3C, US INCITS H3, and ISO/IEC standards development organizations (SDOs).

Earlier this week, ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 24 Committee Advisory Group (CAG) reviewed international register of items.  ISO/IEC 9973 Procedures for registration of items, and recent analysis slides, now available to Web3D members.  For complete clarity we have begun placing copies of ISO procedures here so that continuing standardization efforts are well performed.

*	ISO Documents for X3D, HAnim Specification Development
*	https://github.com/Web3DConsortium/X3D/tree/master/ISO-documents

Next, ISO and IEC publication processes are successfully proceeding for X3D 4.0 Architecture.  You are welcome to pay 194 CHF Swiss Francs (if so please tell us!) which by today’s exchange rates equals 207.55 Euro or $227.52 USD.

*	ISO Store link, https://www.iso.org/standard/82562.html
*	IEC store link,  https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/90755

The specification has been functionally complete and stable for nearly a year now.  Since we are now finally done with any possibility of ISO editorial modifications to X3D 4.0 Architecture, we will be adjusting Web3D Consortium’s specification address for the freely available X3D 4.0 Architecture.  Likely we will copy all content currently at

*	https://www.web3d.org/specifications/X3Dv4Draft/ISO-IEC19775-1v4-IS.proof

to something like the following.  Expecting to report accomplishment next week.

*	TODO https://www.web3d.org/specifications/X3Dv4/ISO-IEC19775-1v4

The equivalent matching Web3D Consortium version continues to remain freely available in perpetuity.

Next, new major progress.  Scene Access Interface (SAI) 19775-2 now ready to begin upgrading to match X3D 4.0 Architecture. This document is in preparation as an ISO/IEC Working Draft (WD).

*	X3D Scene Access Interface (SAI) is an abstract reference that complements the X3D Architecture by defining programming interfaces for X3D in a programming language-neutral manner.
*	X3D SAI v4.0 draft,         https://www.web3d.org/specifications/X3Dv4Draft/ISO-IEC19775-2v4.0-WD1
*	X3D SAI v3.3 standard, https://www.web3d.org/documents/specifications/19775-2/V3.3

Don and Dick have begun identifying clauses needing updates and reviewing relevant Mantis issues.  Note yellow/orange markup for all additions/deletions.

Web3D member-accessible draft standards:

*	https://github.com/Web3DConsortium
*	https://github.com/Web3DConsortium/X3D
*	https://github.com/Web3DConsortium/X3D/tree/master/ISO-IEC19775/ISO-IEC19775-2
*	https://github.com/Web3DConsortium/X3D/tree/master/ISO-IEC19775/ISO-IEC19775-2/ISO-IEC19775-2v4.0/ISO-IEC19775-2v4.0-WD1
*	HTML-tidy build validation https://github.com/Web3DConsortium/X3D/blob/master/build.SAI.out.txt

Web3D is also preparing an X3D4 press release.  All inputs and candidate testimonial quotes are welcome, please send them to Anita.

b.	X3D Example Models.  Demonstrate how X3D can make 3D Graphics part of the modern Web by integrating with key infrastructure such as Web3D Conference series, Wikipedia, and other major publication resources.  Thousands of validated examples already work well.  What other interactive 3D models are people working to publish and share?  X3D can help.

Work on HAnim Winter and Spring by Joe Williams and Don Brutzman, placing .x3d versions into version control and updating online examples.

*	X3D Example Archives: Humanoid Animation, Winter And Spring
*	https://www.web3d.org/x3d/content/examples/HumanoidAnimation/WinterAndSpring

As ever, we are happy to learn of interesting new scenes and updates each week.

c.	X3D Implementations.  Provide a technical forum that encourages the greatest possible development for functionally complete X3D4 applications, authoring tools, and model converters such as Blender and MeshLab.  Pay special attention to implementations using Humanoid Animation (HAnim), glTF model import/export, Web Audio API and MIDI 2.0 capabilities for integrated spatial auralization, projective texture mapping, HTML5 integration, XML, JSON/JavaScript, Java, Python, C/C++/C#, compressed binary formats, and additional new X3D 4.0 features.  

Ready to begin updating spreadsheet showing coverage of X3D implementations. All review and input contributions are welcome.

*	https://www.web3d.org/specifications
*	X3D Node Inventory Comparison spreadsheet shows node-by-node implementation coverage of the X3D Architecture Specification. Current entries include validation using X3D Schema, X3D DOCTYPE, and X3D Schematron; X3D Tooltips and VRML97 node sets; plus selected open-source implementations: FreeWrl, X3DOM, X_ITE, view3dscene (Castle Game Engine), X3D-Edit, Xj3D.
*	https://www.web3d.org/specifications/X3dNodeInventoryComparison.xlsx
*	https://www.web3d.org/specifications/X3dNodeInventoryComparison.pdf

Should we add the following?  Probably… each of these assets offers opportunities for anyone who wants to be the knowledgeable expert, contributing together with our other knowledgeable experts.

*	Assimp Open Asset Import Library
*	Open Asset Import Library is a library to load various 3d file formats into a shared, in-memory format. It supports more than 40 file formats for import and a growing selection of file formats for export.
*	https://github.com/assimp/assimp
*	https://assimp-docs.readthedocs.io/en/latest/usage/use_the_lib.html?highlight=x3d#exporting-models

*	Blender
*	Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation.
*	https://www.blender.org/about
*	It appears that a lot of diverse work for X3D has occurred with Blender, is there a single spot for this?
*	H3DViewer

*	Octaga Player
*	A high performance interactive 3D player
*	https://www.octagavs.com

*	Titania authoring tool (linux) is now rebranded as 
*	Sunrize Multi-Platform X3D Editor
*	Sunrize is based on X_ITE and is a basic editor for X3D files. The scene can be edited in an Outline Editor and there is a Script Editor where Script nodes and ComposedShader nodes can be edited.
*	https://github.com/create3000/sunrize
*	https://create3000.github.io/sunrize

*	H3D
*	H3DAPI is an open source haptics software development platform that uses the open standards OpenGL and X3D with haptics in one unified scene-graph to handle both graphics and haptics. H3DAPI is cross-platform and haptic device independent. It enables audio integration as well as stereography on supported displays.
*	https://h3d.org

*	MeshLab is the open source system for processing and editing 3D triangular meshes.
*	It provides a set of tools for editing, cleaning, healing, inspecting, rendering, texturing and converting meshes. It offers features for processing raw data produced by 3D digitization tools/devices and for preparing models for 3D printing.
*	https://www.meshlab.net

and maybe even the following – anyone care to comment about these, and maybe want to track its support for X3D import/export?

*	PostGIS
*	PostGIS extends the capabilities of the PostgreSQL relational database by adding support for storing, indexing, and querying geospatial data.
*	https://postgis.net

*	Agisoft Metashape
*	Agisoft Metashape is a stand-alone software product that performs photogrammetric processing of digital images and generates 3D spatial data to be used in GIS applications, cultural heritage documentation, and visual effects production as well as for indirect measurements of objects of various scales.
*	https://www.agisoft.com

*	Foundry Modo
*	Modo - Creative 3D modeling, animation, texturing and rendering tools.  Modo’s powerful and flexible 3D modeling, animation, texturing and rendering toolset empowers artists to explore and develop ideas without jumping through technical hoops. Modo® is your starting point for creative exploration.
*	https://www.foundry.com/products/modo

*	Rhino3d Rhinoceros
*	Rhino 8 brings new modeling tools like ShrinkWrap, a huge speed boost for Mac users, SubD Creases, PushPull workflows, better drafting tools, a more customizable User Interface, a faster Render engine, new Grasshopper data types, and much more.
*	https://www.rhino3d.com

d.	X3D as Innovation Foundation.  3D models from many sources can now be published as part of the Open Web. Show how Extensibility mechanisms for X3D can implement new capabilities in a standards-compatible way.  Much is possible, model correctness is validatable, and few barriers to exploration exist.

Sure seems like there are many sounds of heavy rumbling and churning in distance…

e.	X3D and Metaverse.  Support Metaverse Standards Forum (MSF) innovations, especially in the 3D Web Interoperability and Metaverse Standards Register working groups.  Implementing widely shared use cases can offer helpful insight on capabilities, successes, and next-step goals.

First, added link to Web3D Consortium YouTube channel for

*	Metaverse Standards Forum (MSF) YouTube channel
*	https://www.youtube.com/@metaversestandardsforum

… after seeing this excellent Informational video:

*	Christine Perey, “Standards Register Working Group Seeks Support of all MSF WGs,” (2:02)
*	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsCOSSk7FJs

*	Metaverse Standards Register
*	https://register.metaverse-standards.org
*	The Metaverse Standards Register is a publicly accessible database of organizations, specifications, policies, recommendations, guidelines and open-source software related to metaverse interoperability. The Register enables navigation and analysis of the ecosystem of standardization activities relevant to building an open metaverse and to identify connections and gaps in the standardization landscape.

Next, last Tuesday there was an interesting discussion on Volumetric Rendering possibilities for Metaverse.  Points of contact include Nicholas Polys, Johannes Behr, Anita Havele, Don Brutzman.

Noted that “points” and “volume” are not in X3D4 defined terms.  Perhaps they should be?  They are used in multiple ways in different contexts… if we come up with draft terms of possible value, they will like also relate to Metaverse Standards Register group’s vocabulary efforts.

*	X3D 4.0 Architecture, clause 3, Definitions, acronyms, and abbreviated terms
*	https://www.web3d.org/specifications/X3Dv4Draft/ISO-IEC19775-1v4-IS.proof/Part01/glossary.html

*	Mantis 1449: Glossary definitions for point, volume
*	Glossary does not currently include definitions for point, volume. These terms are commonly used but actually have multiple meanings.

*	Extensible 3D (X3D) Part 1: Architecture and base components, clause 3 Definitions, acronyms, and abbreviated terms
*	https://www.web3d.org/specifications/X3Dv4Draft/ISO-IEC19775-1v4-IS.proof/Part01/glossary.html

*	point: geometry, but also point scanning and point clouds, separate from pointing with a pointing device sensor.
*	volume: geometry, but also note that volume data structures are 3D x-y-z arrays rectangular boxes (not arbitrary shapes).
*	Also of note is that collected volumetric point data may have multiple values associated with it, and time-varying characteristics, implying greater than 3 dimensions.  Is it helpful to define these terms?
*	https://www.web3d.org/member-only/mantis/view.php?id=1449

Anita remains primary point of contact for anyone interested in engaging as a Web3D Consortium member with MSF.  Membership has value, in this case perhaps double value!

*	Web3D Consortium: Join
*	The Web3D Consortium is an International non-profit, member-funded, standards development organization open to industry, academic, government and individual members.
*	https://www.web3d.org/join

Next week topics include X3D4 page review.

*	X3D Version 4 Overview
*	https://www.web3d.org/x3d4

Happy holiday Monday in USA:  Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

*	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr._Day

Have fun with 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 https://faculty.nps.edu/brutzman

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