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Is it too early to consider 3D html?

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Re: Is it too early to consider 3D html?

#11

Post by illumin8 »

You're far better off just using HTML5 WebGL. The reason is that the video card manufacturers like Nvidia are already supporting 3d through their graphics hardware. It makes no sense to try to support every possible hardware combination. From a hardware point of view, it's very easy to transform 3d rendered objects into stereoscopic images rather than displaying them on a 2d surface.

This is why manufacturers like Nvidia can already support many games in full 3d right out of the box. Just use WebGL and your app will support native 3d as soon as the drivers improve to support it, provided your audience has the appropriate 3d hardware.

Re: Is it too early to consider 3D html?

#12

Post by ax0n »

jmount wrote: post #3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VRML

I was going to say the same thing, and say that 1997 was the last time I saw anything using VRML, and that it was, indeed, way too early for "3D HTML" back then. No idea now that everyone has hopped on the 3D Movies/TV bandwagon in full force. Personally, I think it'd be difficult to make a plausible UI case for 3D, but that's me.

Re: Is it too early to consider 3D html?

#14

Post by vidarh »

jamesbressi wrote: post #5

I do like to use the "just because you can, it doesn't mean you should" filter like @JeremyBanks but I will say that the idea does excite me. If all browsers would support such a language like @jmount13 linked to (from what I see they don't?) I would love to explore the possibilities. Many flash website and advanced java/jquery/css site concepts and designs that have wowed people in the past had elements of three dim…

They don't all support VRML because after a brief fad around '95-'97 or thereabout, VRML died a quick death when people got bored of it and realized they had no actual need for it.

The popularity of VRML coincided with a VR fad in general though, so perhaps it'd stand a chance again today with the resurgence of 3D movies etc., but I think WebGL is more likely to be successful in that respect.

Re: Is it too early to consider 3D html?

#16

Post by derefr »

If there were a way to make "3D websites" such that they were more attractive/functional/etc than 2D ones, don't you think some sci-fi/heavily CGed movie would have already attempted to demonstrate it as part of its MovieOS?

Re: Is it too early to consider 3D html?

#17

Post by hy3lxs »

sp332 wrote: post #8
JeremyBanks wrote: post #2

Too early? I think this is a good example of "just because you can, it doesn't mean you should". There's little to be gained; any 3D usage I can think of would be much more well-suited to a specialized application than a document markup language. > Google has not yielded up anything so I am guessing that it meets in secret for the time being. I think it's more likely that they have no plans for "3D HTML" because it's…

Any idea what engine Google Lively used? I know the delivery was Flash-based, but I'm not sure what 3D tech was involved.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamebryo

Re: Is it too early to consider 3D html?

#18

Post by contextfree »

vidarh wrote: post #14
jamesbressi wrote: post #5

I do like to use the "just because you can, it doesn't mean you should" filter like @JeremyBanks but I will say that the idea does excite me. If all browsers would support such a language like @jmount13 linked to (from what I see they don't?) I would love to explore the possibilities. Many flash website and advanced java/jquery/css site concepts and designs that have wowed people in the past had elements of three dim…

They don't all support VRML because after a brief fad around '95-'97 or thereabout, VRML died a quick death when people got bored of it and realized they had no actual need for it. The popularity of VRML coincided with a VR fad in general though, so perhaps it'd stand a chance again today with the resurgence of 3D movies etc., but I think WebGL is more likely to be successful in that respect.

I can see the VR fad returning thanks to the 20-year nostalgia cycle!

More seriously, I do think the standard arguments against 3D UI will carry less force in the not too distant future (i.e. over the next 10 to 15 years), because of new(ish) I/O capabilities which will allow people to make more use of real-world spatial abilities to interact with computers (e.g. motion/vision control), and allow more ways to use computers to manipulate the physical world (robotics, 3D printing, ...)

Re: Is it too early to consider 3D html?

#20

Post by gaius »

derefr wrote: post #16

If there were a way to make "3D websites" such that they were more attractive/functional/etc than 2D ones, don't you think some sci-fi/heavily CGed movie would have already attempted to demonstrate it as part of its MovieOS?

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