Images on this site were compressed using e-Vue MPEG4 technology in 2001, which was groundbreaking at the time for its DRM component and higher compression than JPG, however e-Vue is no more — we are transitioning these images to JPEG for 2004.
"Bandwidth has always been a limiting factor for Internet applications," says Electric Rain's Dave Klein, "and vector graphics programs like Macromedia's Flash and Adobe's LiveMotion have made it possible to have much more happening on a Web site while utilizing less bandwidth."
Electric Rain's new Swift 3D software allows you to import 3D models and export them as Flash animations.
"The use of 3D within these programs has been minimal due to the often difficult and time-consuming creation process. This is where Swift 3D comes in. Our program is unique because of the ability to export the finished product in the .swf file format for use in Flash and sequential EPS for use in Live Motion."
"Animations created in 3D Studio Max can be converted to vector graphics using Swift 3D and the lighting, colors, and camera angles created within that program will be respected during the conversion process. Our program will support any application that can export to the 3DS file format."
Dig My Avatar
Some of the coolest implementations of 3D on the Web have been multiuser environments such as those powered by Blaxxun Interactive. Blaxxun's Community Platform line includes complete worlds you can walk through (much like the Doom computer games) with integrated chat management features. The software gives you the ability to build and edit an "avatar," which acts as your virtual presence in these communities. While inside one of these worlds, you can chat, purchase products, and hold meetings or collaborate on projects.
Cybertown.com offers a walk-through environment to interact with
others for chatting or shopping.
"Communities are for people with like-minded interests," says Blaxxun's Director of Marketing, Michael Grekin. "For example, Cybertown.com provides a unique visual interactive environment for kids and young adults who are sci-fi fanatics."
Another likely application for Blaxxun's technology is E-commerce. "This will make Web buying a shared experience just like in the real world," says Grekin. "Plus, you will be able to see products in 3D, turn them 360 degrees, and even open them up. One of the biggest complaints about shopping online is that there isn't anyone to help you if you have questions. Now there can be."
When Grekin speaks, it's easy to envision virtual salespeople with limited artificial intelligence that walk over to you via an attractor mode and ask if you need help, then answer your queries based on database driven answers similar to the AskJeeves service.
In response to the observation that all of this interactivity requires a lot of bandwidth, Grekin notes, "The biggest barrier currently is bandwidth in the home for our 3D solutions, that's why we offer a 2D application that communicates with our 3D solution, so everyone can participate."
