Java3D Specifications

Java3D

Java3D is a set of Java classes that provide methods for creating and rendering 3D models.

There appears to be a mindset amongst the Java3D camp, that it will replace VRML as a internet 3D standard. Quite the contrary -- Java3D and VRML provide complimentary technologies:

VRML provides a standard 3D interchange format that lets applications save, transmit and restore 3D images and behaviors -- independent of application, hardware, platform or programming language.
Java3D provides a Java class lib that lets you create portable 3D applications and applets.

A VRML browser can easily be written in Java3D, however, Java3D does not specify how its objects are stored -- that's where VRML comes in:

If you want to write a Java applet that includes 3D features, you should use Java3D.
If you want to share 3D objects on the internet, you need to use VRML.
If you want to write a Java applet that makes use of an existing VRML plugin, you should use EAI.

Existing VRML browsers provide excellent 3D rendering and navigation -- if you are looking for a 3D analog for HTML, VRML is the way to go. If you don't need to support a standardized 3D file format, or if you want to write your own VRML browser in Java, Java3D is the best way to go.

Java3D Specifications

Java3D Api (Draft 0.98)

Java3D Users Guide

Other References

Sun's Java3D FAQ

Sun's Java3D Info Page

VRML Specifications

Java Specifications