Difference between revisions of "X3D Binary Compression Capabilities and Plans"

Revision as of 18:16, 12 December 2011

Synopsis. Lots of work has been accomplished towards proper support of X3D Binary Compression for a wide variety of potential uses.

Standards and implementations. Approved ISO standard Compressed Binary Encoding (CBE) for X3D
- .x3db file extension
- Based on ISO standard Fast Infoset (FI) for XML compression
- Two independent open-source implementations available
  - C++ codebase: XIOT X3D Input Output Tool library
  - Java codebase: Xj3D
  - Ongoing status: Player_support_for_X3D_components and Tool_support_for_X3D_components
- Several thousand X3D Examples available in .x3db form, encoded by Xj3D
  - TODO: Plan to similarly automate conversions with XIOT for cross-check validation testing

Polygon reduction. CAD Distillation Filter (CDF) technique allowing successive refinement of large X3D scenes into tighter X3D scenes
- Extensible, repeatable compression-decompression data flow/production chains
- Multiple filters implemented in open-source Xj3D, X3D-Edit
- Multiple other conversion and translation tools available with supporting capabilities
- X3D Canonicalization (C14N) provides standardized formatting so that digital signatures are not thwarted by whitespace variations

Binary encodings. Plan to add a further-improved X3D Compressed Binary Encoding using now-approved W3C Recommendation for Efficient XML Interchange (EXI)
- Web3D contributed to EXI working group and XML Binary Characterization working group efforts, ensuring that 3D Model Compression, Serialization and Transmission use-case requirements are defined and met
- Design includes compatibility with CDF techniques, XML Encryption, and XML Digital Signature for author authentication
  - Relevant example scenes maintained as part of X3D Basic Examples Archive - Security
- This meets most needs of digital authors for digital rights management

Networking. Several capabilities are available for flexible network transmission
- Anchor, Inline, LOD, LoadSensor, Script and Prototype nodes support successive retrieval of content once initial model is displayed
- TODO: Willing to consider further addition of progressive-mesh geometric streaming technologies, perhaps by a public Call for Contributions
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protections for X3D specification
  - Patented technologies can be considered, but only when eventual use will be royalty free for X3D use (if eventually accepted)
  - Submitters can restrict patented submissions to working group while under consideration, if desired
- TODO: Use cases and test examples can demonstrate whether http/https and local-file url retrieval are sufficient for a network protocol
  - Other network protocols (Web sockets, P2P channels, etc.) might be possible, but only if security restrictions can be handled satisfactorily

Looking ahead

Web3D's X3D and CAD Working Groups each have member 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 general 3D transmission format
TODO: A workshop might be a rapid way to compare candidate technologies that might complete these capabilities

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 *** Java codebase: [http://www.xj3d.org Xj3D]
 *** Ongoing status:  [[Player_support_for_X3D_components]] and [[Tool_support_for_X3D_components]]
-** Several thousand [http://www.web3d.org/x3d/content/examples/X3dResources.html#Examples X3D Examples] available in ''.x3db'' form by Xj3D
+** Several thousand [http://www.web3d.org/x3d/content/examples/X3dResources.html#Examples X3D Examples] available in ''.x3db'' form, encoded by Xj3D
 *** TODO: Plan to similarly automate conversions with XIOT for cross-check validation testing