Stable repeatable progress for users, modelers, and software developers requires the steady evolution of the X3D Graphics and Humanoid Animation (HAnim) International Standards.  Web3D Consortium members produce well-written, well-tested specification documents that define and refine the X3D and HAnim standards as they continue to improve.  Onward we go!

Our strategy for consolidation of all X3D Specifications to match X3D Architecture version 4.0 is simple:

• update all file encodings in 2025, and
• update all programming-language bindings in 2026.

Editors for the X3D Standards Working Group meet weekly to review public comments and build upon continuing progress.

Assets for Continuing Progress

• X3D Architecture 4.0 International Standard (IS) 19775-1 is our baseline
• X3D Graphics Standards Relationships diagram provides "big picture"
• Mantis Issue Tracker (Web3D member access)
• Github specifications archive (Web3D member access)
• ISO/IEC SC24 Computer Graphics, image processing and environmental data representation
• INCITS H3 Graphics and Imaging, U.S. National Standards Body

Draft specification editing to match X3D 4.0 Architecture

The following specifications are being updated and submitted to ISO/IEC SC24 for publication review.  This effort is part of making all X3D specifications consistent with the full capabilities of X3D 4.0

• X3D Scene Authoring Interface (SAI) 4.0 revision 19775-2, advancement to DIS by June 2025
• X3D XML Encoding 4.0 revision 19776-1, implemented widely
• X3D Classic VRML Encoding 4.0 revision 19776-2, implemented widely
• X3D Compressed Binary Encoding (CBE) 4.0 revision 19776-3, implemented
  • Includes Fast Infoset, gzip, zip algorithms
  • Add considerations for glTF binary (.glb)
• X3D Architecture 4.1, revision 19775-1, is testing evolution in multiple implementations
  • Small and incremental improvements to the X3D Architecture are being shared as the ongoing update efforts continue.  
  • Select improvements under consideration include EnvironmentLight and ongoing glTF alignment, FontLibrary, ImageTextureAtlas, and possible Volume rendering component additions.  Editorial clarifications when needed.

Expected ongoing work 2025-2026

We are on track to update all X3D file encodings in 2025, and all X3D programming-language bindings in 2026.  These specifications are next for editor efforts.

• X3D Efficient XML Interchange (EXI) Encoding
  • add 19776-4, implemented, applies W3C EXI in concert with XML Security
• X3D JSON Encoding
  • add 19776-5, implemented, needs JSON Schema autogenerated by X3DUOM
• X3D Semantic Web Turtle Encoding
  • ​add 19776-6, implemented
• X3D ECMAScript (JavaScript) (current version 3.1)
  • ​update 19777-1
• X3D Java Programming (current version 3.0)
  • update 19776-2, implemented X3DJSAIL
• X3D Python Programming
  • add 19777-6, implemented X3DPSAIL x3d.py
• X3D C, C++, C# Programming (current version 3.3)
  • update 19777-3, 4, 5
• Humanoid Animation (HAnim)  (current version 2.0 matching X3D 4.0)
  • ​maintenance as multiple implementations continue to advance
  • update 19774 with potential revisions version 2.1

Feedback is important  

All inputs are always welcome. 

Questions and issues can be discussed on Web3D mailing lists, posted on Contact Us page, or submitted via Mantis issue tracker.

Have fun with X3D standards stability and versatility!