Java 3DTM API
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JavaTM 3D API Home Page
High-performance, interactive 3D Graphics
Now, developers can easily incorporate high-quality,
scalable, platform-independent 3D graphics into JavaTM technology-based applications and
applets. The Java 3DTM
application programming interface (API) provides a set of
object-oriented interfaces that support a simple, high-level
programming model. This enables developers to build, render,
and control the behavior of 3D objects and visual
environments. By leveraging the inherent strengths of the
Java language, Java 3D technology extends the concept
of "Write Once, Run AnywhereTM"
to 3D graphics applications.
The Java 3D API takes advantage of existing hardware
accelerators through low-level APIs such as OpenGLTM and Direct3D. This allows applications
written using the Java 3D API to run on any platform with a
Java virtual machine (JDKTM
version 1.2 or higher software) and OpenGL or Direct3D
implementation. To accommodate a wide variety of file
formats, runtime loaders are supported. The Java 3D API
benefits developers in diverse markets including scientific
visualization, animation, Web site design, simulations,
virtual world construction, training, games, and design
automation. As an integral part of the JavaTM Media API, the Java 3D API makes it
easier for programmers to integrate 2D and 3D graphics, video,
audio, and image processing, as well as multimedia and
visualization features, in a single application.
Simplifies 3D Graphics Application Development
The Java 3D API incorporates a high-level, scene-graph
model that helps developers focus on objects and scene
composition. This speeds application development, because
programmers do not need to design specific geometric shapes
or write rendering code for the scene display.
Enables Visualization over the network
The Java platform was designed from the ground up as
a network-centric computing environment. It includes a
full suite of Java enterprise APIs and technologies, such
as the JavaBeansTM component,
which enables objects to be exchanged over the network,
regardless of the target platform. And Java 3D technology
incorporates geometry compression, so very large 3D models
can be rapidly downloaded over the network for remote
viewing and manipulation, avoiding network bandwidth bottlenecks.
Optimizes Performance
The Java 3D API simplifies the developer's job by
performing time-consuming tasks such as scene-graph traversal
and attribute state management. It also maximizes performance
by tuning and scaling the application's scene graph to
the underlying hardware. To further enhance performance,
Java 3D technology provides three rendering modes:
- Immediate
- Retained
- Compiled-retained
Because implementations of the Java 3D API are layered
to take advantage of the most appropriate rendering API,
they can deliver native graphics acceleration on the OpenGL
and Direct3D platforms. By exploiting advanced features
such as execution and view-frustum culling, along with
multithreading, the Java 3D API delivers the high level
of performance required to visualize and manipulate large
3D models.
Features
- The flexible viewing model utilizes a broad range
of display devices including flat-screen, head-mounted,
and stereo displays as well as caves and portals --
without modifying the application.
- Integrated 3D graphics and sound create a more exciting
viewer experience.
- Multiple levels of detail enable viewers to increase
the resolution of near objects, improving application
performance.
- Support for continuous action devices, such as trackers
used in immersive caves and portals, enhances the
interaction of Java 3D applications.
- Based on open standards, the Java 3D API specification
was developed with input from leading technology vendors.
Competitive Advantage
Because the Java 3D API is written for the Java platform,
developers can freely mix it with other Java APIs in a
single application. The easy-to-use Java language increases
the productivity of programming staff. This reduces time
to market, which -- when combined with the advanced feature
set of the Java 3D API -- delivers a significant competitive
advantage.