Question

Could anyone tell me what my practical options are for publishing interactive 3D models on the web?

I would think either Flash or Silverlight would be the way to go, but even if this is the case, perhaps there are some frameworks already available based on these that will help.

Details:

• Fairly simple models
• Must support ‘bones’ and joints etc.
• Some level of user interaction required
• Some animation required.

Answer 1

In the past year, publishing 3D Objects has become a lot easier.

Silverlight can’t do it yet. There have been promises but its soon to come.

When it comes to Flash – building a 3D object viewer is really very simple and its possible to produce a 3D object viewer within a few hours.

I’m aware of Papervision 3D. Of which you can simply drop a collada file into the viewer and it’ll be displayed.

there are many other 3D engines built for flash. Alternativa3D, Away3D and Sandy to name a few. They all have their own strengths. Papervision is the general pick as it is been around the block and its at a level of which you can do pretty much anything you need.

Away3D is acclaimed for visual excellence and a prefab app that can assist in building 3D scenes

Alternativa3D has some beautiful examples and it has the ability to smooth render a scene whilst the camera is stationary.

Papervision3D – in my experience this is the fastest rendering engine. I’ve rendered speed of 60 fps with complex scenes. Its also the quickest on to set-up for view. Unfortunately at times it can be its own odd syntax and workarounds.

All these will assist you in your requirement.