VRML Export Expert PowerTool
VRML Export Expert PowerTool |
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The VRML Export Expert (VRMLEX) is a Punch! PowerTool designed to provide a VRML export for Punch! projects. VRML stands for the Virtual Reality Modelling Language, and it is designed to allow the user to explore 3D projects in much the same way that the Punch LiveView allows users to walk through projects within the Punch! program.
VRML rendering of Punch! model in a web browser.
Why should one want to use a VRML export that does essentially the same thing as Punch! Liveview does? The main reason is that Punch! Liveview is proprietary; to use it you must have purchased and installed Punch! on each CPU where you may want to explore a design. On the other hand, VRML software is free for downloading, and it therefore allows a designer to send the design to another computer which doesn't have Punch! installed (perhaps over the Internet), and it may be viewed there. This is particularly useful for mass appreciation of a design, or in the case of a customer who doesn't want to purchase Punch! and go through the hassle to learn it, walking through a design.
In some ways, current VRML technology exceeds that of Punch!'s Liveview. Certain limitations of Liveview, such as the inability to look downward at a higher angle than 35 degrees, do not exist with VRML viewers. The controls are slightly more sophisticated than Punch!'s are, allowing for more modes to view the results from. VRML supports the ability to walk up steps by merely following the staircase, which Punch! does not. These all may seem to be minor points, but in some cases the inabilities in Liveview can be frustrating for the user, and VRML overcomes them.
There is a large community of VRML afficienados on the Internet; they have built entire communities peopled by both human and non-human figures known as avatars, through which users can interact with others.
Now announcing Punch! version 8.0 compatibility. Version 1.2.0 of VRMLEX will reproduce the Punch! custom trims, windows, doors and fences. It will not reproduce Punch! version 8 terrain (at least, not yet!) Get the update at the on our update page.
A demo VRML export is available for download and inspection here (a 1.2 MB download). The zip file contains the output .wrl file and all the textures used in its creation. To run the demo, load a VRML plugin into your browser (see the VRMLEX User Guide) and then download the zip archive. Create a folder on your desktop or other convenient location, and extract the contents of the zip into it. Double-click on the extracted file garage.wrl and your browser should take it form there. Internet Explorer will complain about opening a local file in the browser; click on the yellow caution bar, and force it to open the file. The file contains no viruses, worms or other vermin; the .wrl file is an ASCII text file (as are all non-compressed VRML files) and the .png files are pure, compressed "practical network graphics" files.
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This page last updated on Tue Feb 05 2008 |