RE: VRML Backgrounder
Len Wanger (lrw@SDSC.EDU)
Mon, 20 Mar 1995 10:01:02 -0800 (PST)
> > There are some areas where VRML is still incomplete. Except for the
> > hyperlinking feature, the first version of VRML does not support
> > interactive behaviors. This was a practical decision intended to
> > streamline design and implementation. Design of a language for
> > describing interactive behaviors is a big job, particularly when the
> > language needs to express behaviors of objects communicating on a
> > network. Support for arbitrary interactive behaviors is critical to the
> > long-term success of VRML; it will be included in the second revision of
> > the VRML specification, which will be completed by December of 1995.
>
> Is the consensus that interactive behaviors will be added to VRML?
>
> The conceptual model that I had been working on is that we add scripted
> behaviors to VRML and add another protocol to handle interactivity.
The AVL language at the core of the system that I have been working on
(Tecate) handles arbitrarily complex, scripted behaviors,
interactivity, and messaging between objects. Its been in use here for
about 2 years and works pretty well.
I think folding AVL into VRML would be an excellent way to support
behaviors. I can post more information if people are interested.
Len Wanger -- LRW@SDSC.EDU
Project Sequoia 2000
San Diego Supercomputer Center
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http://www.sdsc.edu/SDSC/Research/Visualization/Tecate/tecate.html