From: Robin Hollands Subject: Re: APPS: VRML in Space Date: Wed, 01 Oct 1997 14:48:36 +0100 Message-ID: <343254B4.7E2A@shef.ac.uk> Organization: Automatic Control & Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield , UK Michael Sheehan wrote: > > Perhaps in the future, VRML could be utilized by engineers donning > motion-capture suits to interact with other VRML objects or avatars in > remote environments, such as Mars, with graphics fed from a remote > site as well. Or am I pushing it? > At the risk of sounding harsh, this is hardly a new idea. Teleoperation/telepresence has been around for quite a while, and the it could be argued that the current Pathfinder mission is using a variant of this technique. Whilst I agree that VRML is an interesting language in as much as it is/will be the first genuine standard for VR, VRML enthusiasts should be aware that just using the language is not a merit within itself. In conferences I've organised or attended I've seen stacks of submissions in which quite mundane applications which are being proposed as significent simply because they have developed in VRML. In most cases, similar applications have been around for a number of years using traditional VR packages. The example given above implies a dedicated, special purpose link between the engineer and a highly specialised site. Why use VRML? What advantages does that language bring that say, dVS, WTK or even Superscape wouldn't? Ingenious solutions to make VRML perform tasks it is not well suited to may well be of benefit to the general VRML community, but if an alternative software package would have bypassed the problem, then it would be good engineering practice to use it. Keep the VRML hacks for specialist VRML workshops. VRML certainly does have its place. For generally distributed Internet based applications, it will be essential. The free browsers and low cost world creation software also makes it very attractive for low-cost PC applications. But it is not a panacea. Instead of the deluge of 'me too' VRML papers, I'd be very interested to see study of what VRML *shouldn't* do! Cheers, Robin Email: r.hollands@virgin.net WWW: http://www.shef.ac.uk/~vrmbg/staff/rjh BOOK: http://www.shef.ac.uk/~vrmbg/vrhmhb