Support X3D in ODF

Request came initially from JTC1/SC24 via SC34.

I responded with some questions and received this response from, Dick Puk, Convener, ISO/IEC JTC1/SC24/WG6.:

> 1) Would the intent be to simply place an X3D fragment into a frame
> in a
> text document, the way we currently do with bitmap images? Or is the
> intent to have something more interactive, e.g., navigable?

X3D is a fully dynamic and interactive web technology for 3D graphics on the
web. As such, it requires a run-time to process the scenegraph and to
provide the necessary interaction with the viewer. It has been an ISO
standard since 2004 and is now in its separate edition. Previous to that
(and still available) is earlier similar technology called the Virtual
Reality Modeling Language (VRML). VRML was standardized in 1997 and is still
being widely supported as well. X3D generalizes the VMRL technology and is
largely upwards compatible. VRML worlds that use only ECMAScript scripting
or no scripting are easily convertible to X3D.

> 2) Would the intent be to add X3D as a new module within an ODF
> document,
> or were you thinking about adding 3D support to areas in ODF which
> currently have 2D graphics only?

Although I am relatively unfamiliar with the architecture of ODF, I believe
it will have to be a new module. It has been my experience that it is very
difficult to generalize 2D architectures to adequately support 3D especially
dynamic, interactive 3D.

> 3) We are also considering a request from the W3C to add more
> substantial
> SVG support to ODF. We're interested to determine how best to use
> both
> markups in the same document. Has there been any work in how these
> relate? It seems that it would be reasonable, from an application
> perspective, for user to want to copy/paste objects from a 2D object
> into
> a 3D object. This will work smoothly if the 2D vector capabilities
> of X3D
> match those of SVG.

Although not currently supported, it would be appropriate (and relatively
easy) to reference SVG canvases as textures within X3D. This would allow
them to be mapped to any X3D surface.

> 4) As for PNG, we believe that this is already supported by ODF in by
> several current ODF implementations.

X3D also supports PNG images for textures or backgrounds.

> If SC 24 has a technical expert who is able to discuss these topics
> further with the ODF TC, please have him or her send me a note. We
> are
> actively collecting proposals for the next release of ODF and would
> be
> glad to receive your input.

X3D technology is developed jointly by the Web3D Consortium and ISO/IEC
JTC1/SC24 through a cooperative agreement between the Web3D Consortium and
ISO. The World Wide Web Consortium has endorsed the Web3D Consortium as the
source for 3D web standards. Since most documents are now web-enabled, X3D
would be an appropriate technology to be endorsed by ODF. It has already
been endorsed by TC184/SC4 (CAD) as an accepted presentation technology for
CAD data. I will be happy to answer any questions that you might have. I am
also cc-ing this response to Don Brutzman, Co-Chairman of the Web3D
Consortium's X3D Working Group and a member of the Web3D Consortium's Board
of Directors. He may also have comments. Please feel free to contact either
of us. Please feel free to contact either one of us.