Augmented Reality (AR) Roadmap for X3D Graphics

Augmented Reality (AR) Roadmap for X3D Graphics

Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) operate across many display devices, ranging from small hand-held mobile phones to laptops, desktop, and full-blown walk-around CAVE spaces. There is always a combination of both 2D imagery and 3D graphics, plus a mix of the real world and virtual worlds. Numerous innovative AR activities are ongoing by many researchers, companies and study groups. Coordination and collaboration between numerous developers and standards organizations is likely necessary for AR to eventually become a seamless part of the Web infrastructure.

X3D is a mature standard with many examples, many players and many converters. Multiple implementations and extensions for AR have already been demonstrated in X3D. These efforts have been successful because X3D collects numerous proven technologies together in a workable way, providing a simple and coherent way for authors to create 3D models and VR applications. X3D’s extensibility gives us the advantage to define component levels and profiles as extensions. It has also been demonstrated that mobile X3D can fit well with HTML5 and DOM improvements. This all "plays well" when moving from simple mobile applications to bigger models and spaces.

Current AR working group activities are focused on harmonizing proven capabilities into best practices for AR and 3D graphics, implementable by multiple X3D viewers and usable by content authors. The X3D group is thinking in terms of the larger 2D + 3D space that authors and users want. We will likely harmonize lightweight AR components within an X3D Mobile Profile. Heavyweight requirements for MR and CAVEs can be compatibly defined. X3D is becoming a mature, viable and reliable standard for AR developers looking to save a time when designing new AR applications.