Java3D - back from the dead

[divzero]

for those not on the list:

  From:       Doug Twilleager <Doug.Twilleager@SUN.COM>

Reply-To: Discussion list for Java 3D API JAVA3D-INTEREST@JAVA.SUN.COM
To: JAVA3D-INTEREST@JAVA.SUN.COM
Subject: [JAVA3D] ANNOUNCEMENT: Java 3D plans
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 21:28:28 -0800

We take this opportunity to announce that Sun is renewing its
commitment to Java 3D. The highlights of this announcement are:

.   Sun is in the process of making the source code for Java 3D
    available through a public source license in the very near
    future.

.   Sun will work with the Java 3D community, via the Java
    Community Process (JCP), to actively evolve the API going
    forward.

---

The renewed emphasis on Java 3D complements Sun’s increased efforts
in the desktop space and the recent release of the Java Desktop System
(JDS). More information will be forthcoming, but here are a few
details concerning our plans.

.   Sun is right now working on making the source code for Java 3D
    available through a public source license.  This will be done
    via a java.net project, which will include a developer's web
    site and CVS repository.  This will allow developers to
    download the Java 3D source code, and to contribute bug fixes
    and utilities.  The time frame for this release is before
    JavaOne 2004.

.   We will be forming an expert group under the JCP process to
    define and implement the next version(s) of the Java 3D API.
    Our current thinking is that we want to work with the expert
    group to create a 1.4 version of the Java 3D API that will add
    programmable shaders, and possibly other critical features, if
    they can be done without architectural changes to the
    implementation.  We hope to get this release out relatively
    quickly.

.   We also want the expert group to help define the next major
    revision (1.5? 2.0?) to the Java 3D API, which could involve
    more widespread changes to the API.

We look forward to working with the Java 3D community to move the
API forward.

Doug Twilleager
Sun Microsystems

Despite the time taken to make it, this is an excellent move for Java3D I believe.

Will.

[GKW]

Sure, now that I already switched everything over to Jogl. I hope the opensource version finds some developers.

[divzero]

it’s a real shame that it took so long for Sun to make up its mind - but at least at the end of it they chose the best option they had IMHO.

I will be very interesting to see just what license they slap on the beast and how fast the development goes once it is on java.net.

One thing that Xith3D has truly amazed me is how fast it was created and the speed at which bugs get fixed.

I wounder if it will be changed to use JOGL and JOAL?

Will.

[endolf]

Hi
It will definitly be interesting to see how this pans out. I’ve been using xith for a while, there are a couple of things that make it worth sticking with for now, bugs get fixed fast, and the brilliant overlay system :), I remember the fun Justin and I had implementing our respective overlay systems. Maybe now (or eventually) Java3D will get one thats as easy to use :).

Endolf

[swpalmer]

This is excellent. I hope that ideas from Xith3D can be used to improve Java 3D performance. It also keeps some competition between the two which may help to motivate :).