— 3D multi-user worlds
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A multi-user environment is one in which a user can see or hear the input from other users. Initially, these environments were text only (i.e. the text 'chat rooms' known as MUDs and MOOs). A 3D multi-user environment contains a 3D representation of the world plus similar representations of all the users that are currently active.
3D
multi-user worlds
The
Contact
Consortium holds information about most virtual environments.
Some of the more common 3D multi-user environments are:
- Activeworlds is by far the largest and most popular. It does not use VRML and you can't define your own avatar. It will also cost you a subscription fee.
- Cybertown is another large environment but does allow you to import your own VRML avatar.
- Traveler OnLive! Traveler is a3D virtual world in which users are represented by models of heads, but it includes real-time sound and gestures.
- Learnetix - an educational world (in German)
- Soccer City - a 3D world for soccer fans.
3D
multi-user servers
It
is possible to set up your own multi-user world by getting appropriate
server software (just as you might set up a traditional web server).
Some sources for dowloading free multi-user software are:
Blaxxun Community Platform 4 is a server and also has its own browser. It canbe a bit comlicated so there is also a simple-to-set-up product called Instant Community. Vnet is free but basic. It seemed easily set up on a Windows machine. Object Reality are developing network 3D solutions and are seeking users of a shortly-to-be-released beta version. DeepMatrix like Vnet is free, it has a little more functionality but is still basic. Community Place is produced by Sony but seems hard to get hold of. We only found it in Japan. It runs under Windows9x. We couldn't find a download site but there is Information only.
Avatars
When
you enter any 3D multiuser world you need an object to represent yourself
to others, this is your avatar. Your Avatar can be as simple as a sphere
or a complex human like model. Your avatar can be moved around in
3D space and can also be given a number of animated 'gestures' that can
be triggered by you and others can see.
Examples of avatars
- VRML repository list of avatar libraries.
- Malmo University College Avatars by the students of the Interactive Institute, Malmö Högskola, Sweden.
Software
for building avatars
- Spazz3D is a 3D VRML modelling tool with some specialised avatar building functions.
- Rhino 3D - if you need to create some very specific geometry.
- blaxxun Avatar Studio enables you to determine your avatar's shape, weight, hairstyle, clothes, etc. and you can include an image of your own face.
- VRML Repository, once again, has a listof 36 software products and services for avatar developers.
- If all else fails, you could simply create an Avatar from a really simple VRML file using a texture map. There are instructions provided by NVRCAD
Software
that helps build particular types of avatar
- Skeleton Builder 1.1 SkeletonBuilder substantially automates the process of creating H-Anim humanoids
- The blaxxun avatar den offers to combine animated VRML 2.0 avatars from prefabricated body parts.
Guidelines
and help for building avatars
- World Builders guild for information on building avatars and worlds
- Blaxxuns developer guide
- Human specification guidelines
- Human specification guidelines
- VRML Humanoid specification version 1.1
- Virtual Humanoids In VRML. A VRML extension that descibe how you should create the ideal VRML humanoid model. Describes joints, motion, etc.
The NVRCAD Project was supported by the JISC/JTAP progamme and the Universities of Coventry, Plymouth & Teesside