3D Development Technology

3D Development Technologies

3D development tools are often free or low cost applications that offer easy interfaces using a modular creative platform.

There are many technologies that can be used to build 3D for websites. A good starting point is Virtual Reality Modeling Language [VRML]. VRML is completely open, completely free, and anybody can put VRML pages online.

Tutorials on VRML or you can download a zip set of the tutorials

3D Animation Workshops

3D Development Programs

Typical 3D Program features include:

3D rendering library
3D sound support
3D textures, multi-textures, bump mapping
Big Image support
Fully backward compatible with Open Inventor 2.1
Hard-copy vector output in PostScript format
TrueType font support for annotations (2D and 3D)
VRML97 support
GUI bindings: Motif/X11, Mac OS X, Qt , Windows
File import/export libraries: audio/video/images, DXF files, Multigen Open Flight files

3D Rad is empty virtual space you can populate by adding intelligent objects and create interactive 3d worlds. An innovative, funny way to create and deliver 3d content. A very affordable solution.

Swift 3D - an Adobe Macormedia Flash Professional 8 third party extension. Inexpensive and very easy to use. Convert 2D text and artwork into 3D animations without leaving the Flash interface. Good export functions. Developed by Electric Rain.

3D State - a free [non-commercial] 3D Engine and set of tools for writing the best 3D applications. Use 3DSTATE for writing simulators, games, training programs, education, scientific applications etc. Probably the easiest 3D engine to use, 3DSTATE 3D Developer studio has received the highest rating in reviews on Tucows and CNet. The new SDK is based on 3DSTATE 3D engine version 6.0. Commercial licenses also available.

Coin3D - Coin3D is a high-level, retained-mode toolkit for effective 3D graphics development. Cross-platform, full access to source code, no royalties or run-time fees.

3D developing studios re often available free for compilers: Visual C++, Visual Basic, Borland Builder, Delphi, VB .NET, Visual C#

3D Instant Website - by SolidWorks enables users to publish interactive 3D images to a webserver or corporate intranet using XML & XSL standards. Allows visitors to view, rotate, zoom, and pan 3D models without manually downloading or installing any additional viewers or CAD software.

Morphid - 3D Engine and Tools to create top level 3D games, 3D websites and 3D presentations. All for only $USD39.

Google SketchUp 6 - a free 3D modeling software tool that’s easy to learn, simple to use, and lets you place your models in Google Earth. Video Tutorials

Zam 3D - a full-featured 3D modeling application that enables easy creation, customization and animation of 3D interface elements for Windows Vista based applications. Model, texture and animate, then integrate into Vista app using automatically generated XAML [eXtensible Application Markup Language].