WorldView

WorldView -- WorldView, the first Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) browser for Windows to hit the 'net, offers a preview of what the web may someday become. Unfortunately, a preview is about all that WorldView currently offers. Assorted 3-Dimensional worlds are included with the browser; in addition, many new worlds and links to additional ones have been added in the newest release. WorldView has indeed beaten WebSpace to the net (another VRML browser); unfortunately, do the fact that aren't that many VRML 'worlds' available yet, the utility of this client is currently limited to viewing commonplace objects and small worlds. The rotating globe that commences upon startup is cool, but beyond the globe, many of the objects that come with WorldView are not exactly enticing. While I might recommend checking WorldView out for a glimpse of what may become the future of the 'net, I can't currently recommend the browser as a viable and useful application until more advanced VRML worlds are created. This 32-bit client will work on high-end Windows 3.1, 95, and Intel NT platforms, with SGI, Sun OS, Mac and additional flavors of NT to follow later this quarter. The pre-beta release is lacking in both support and help, so if you want to learn more about VRML or WorldView, you'll have to wait for the commercial version to be released (August) or try out another VRML client. WorldView will run *.wrl models and is fully VRML 1.0 compliant. WorldView does not need a web browser to function, but it does integrate well with Netscape as an external viewer for *.wrl models. If and when extensive and interesting worlds are created, WorldView may well become a viable VRML browser; however, at this point, it still isn't much more than an interesting oddity. Pros: The first VRML browser to hit the 'net for Windows Cons: Not overly exciting or useful yet -- not enough interesting worlds available New: Enhanced navigation, full support for VRML 1.0 specification, additional viewing options, more Version Reviewed: 1.0b3 Date of Review: 5/15/96 Reviewer: Forrest Stroud apps conference Main Menu