O3D is Google's own home grown open-source web API for creating rich, interactive 3D applications in the browser. First released late April 2009, this API's goal in Google's own words is to create an "open web standard for 3D graphics". First things first though, before being able to view anything constructed using O3D you will need to download and install Google's browser based plug-in (if you haven't already).
Features
Once you do install the plug-in it's clear from their demos that the resolution and technical abilities of the engine are far above anything a Flash based 3D engine can hope to achieve right now. High quality animation, particle physics, shaders, and shadow rendering are just a few of the features that O3D boasts at this early stage in it's development. Not only this, but being Google, you can be sure it's going to be a pretty stable platform.The future of O3D
Google's plug-in hasn't yet been nearly as widely adopted by the internet community as Flash's has. This means viewers of your O3D created content will see a blank space asking them to download a new plug-in. In the immediate, now now now culture of the internet this will put a lot of people off. Hopefully though with O3D's stunning GPU supported graphics and trusted Google name it will compel uses to download, install and enjoy.
Comments
Post new comment