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Java 3D API
bobo
(A monkey)
Has anyone tried using the Java 3D API ([url="http://java.sun.com/products/java-media/3D/index.html"]http://java.sun.com/products/java-media/3D/index.html[/url])? It supports OpenGL and appears to be able to import Lightwave .lws files.
I'm starting to play around with it, and would like to hear if anyone has any experience with it.
I realize that it will never be as optimized as C/C++ compiled on a native platform, but the API seems to handle most of the graphics grunt work (culling, etc.) while allowing the developer to focus on the modeling and movement dynamics.
Please provide comments with more than "java sucks" or "java rocks" [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif[/img]
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bobo
<*>
B5:ITF
I'm starting to play around with it, and would like to hear if anyone has any experience with it.
I realize that it will never be as optimized as C/C++ compiled on a native platform, but the API seems to handle most of the graphics grunt work (culling, etc.) while allowing the developer to focus on the modeling and movement dynamics.
Please provide comments with more than "java sucks" or "java rocks" [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif[/img]
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bobo
<*>
B5:ITF
Comments
Sorry, couldn't resist. What sort of graphics is this aimed at? I'm asuming realtime, but it could be a renderer, given that it can import .lws files.
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[b][url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Required reading[/url][/b]
Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
The Balance provides. The Balance protects.
"Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras
Anyway, it's intended for real time. Also found out that it supports DirextX as well as OpenGL. A Linux port is already available.
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bobo
<*>
B5:ITF
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[b][url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Required reading[/url][/b]
Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
The Balance provides. The Balance protects.
"Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras
As a quick example, I created a sphere attached to a cylinder to represent B5. I rotated both objects as a single entity to align with the universe's X-Axis. I will next attempt to add a rotational object to start it spinning.
The final results can be viewed as applets with the Java browser plug-in.
Check out the [url="http://java.sun.com/products/java-media/3D/demos/"]demo site[/url] for some screen shots of what's capable.
Here's an example from an astronomy applet:
[url="http://java.sun.com/products/java-media/3D/demos/images/ncsa1_156.jpg"] [img]http://java.sun.com/products/java-media/3D/demos/images/ncsa1_156.jpg[/img] [/url]
and here's one for a collaborative 3-d virtual environment:
[url="http://java.sun.com/products/java-media/3D/demos/images/3dvwJet_156.gif"] [img]http://java.sun.com/products/java-media/3D/demos/images/3dvwJet_156.gif[/img] [/url]
[This message has been edited by bobo (edited 09-07-2001).]
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[b][url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Required reading[/url][/b]
Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
The Balance provides. The Balance protects.
"Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras
Check out a quick sample of the [url="http://sites.netscape.net/kwkconnection/Babylon5.java"]code[/url]. It doesn't take much to create a simple structure, such as this:
[img]http://sites.netscape.net/kwkconnection/babylon5applet.gif[/img] . Granted, its [i]very[/i] simple, but the advantages of having a cross-platform development language with built-in internet comm. support has always seemed like a natural to me. And don't even get me started on the [url="http://java.sun.com/products/javawebstart/index.html"]Web Start[/url] potential!
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bobo
<*>
B5:ITF
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[b][url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Required reading[/url][/b]
Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
The Balance provides. The Balance protects.
"Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras
I've had java on school..but want to learn more...that was what I needed [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img]
I noticed in one of the other threads that you're working on your own graphics engine. Have to say, I don't have the experience to get to that level (yet), but I'd love to see how you work this out. PLEASE, keep notes on not only what works, but what doesn't, and why! Like you pointed out, there isn't much info about this type of thing out there on the net, an danything you contribute would help.
As your designing it, are you thinking of an object-oriented application interface, or more procedural?
RE: the Java interpreter. I have to say that with the systems becoming faster, and the Java JIT compilers improving performance on the client side, the interpreter is becoming much less of a concern. Will Java ever lead the industry in speed-intense applications? No. Does being first or the fastest always matter? No.
BTW, I appreciate the discussion. I didn't expect many to respond.
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bobo
<*>
B5:ITF
Glad it helped. I'll be interested in seeing what you can do with it! [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]
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bobo
<*>
B5:ITF
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[b][url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Required reading[/url][/b]
Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
The Balance provides. The Balance protects.
"Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras
[b]MUNDANE,
Glad it helped. I'll be interested in seeing what you can do with it! [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]
[/b][/quote]
[img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img]