Augmented Reality (AR) Roadmap for X3D Graphics

Augmented Reality (AR) Roadmap for X3D Graphics

Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) operate across many devices, ranging from small hand-held mobile phones to laptops, desktops, and full-blown walk-around CAVEs. There is always a mix of both 2D imagery and 3D graphics, plus a mix of the real world and the virtual world.

X3D is a mature standard with many implementations and many converters. It collects numerous proven technologies together in a workable way, providing a simple and coherent way for authors to create 3D models and VR applications. Multiple implementations and extensions for AR have already been demonstrated in X3D. It has also been proven that mobile X3D can fit well with HTML5 and DOM improvements. X3D’s extensibility gives us the advantage to define component levels and profiles as easily expanded extensions. This all "plays well" when moving from simple mobile applications to bigger models and spaces.

Current work in AR is focused on harmonizing proven capabilities into best practices for AR and 3D graphics, implementable by multiple X3D viewers and usable by content authors. The X3D group is thinking in terms of the larger 2D+3D space that authors and users want. X3D, a reliable and viable standard can save a lot of time for developers looking to design new AR applications.