The Tools Page Of The VRML Resources Site

introduction models textures tips tools

Everything here are our favorite tools for writing VRML, from authorware, to gzipping. If you should ever encounter a broken link, let us know, we have conserved copies of every program on this page.

GZip Utility (ZLib98)
Allows you to compress the .wrl files for quicker download. After gzipping, rename the original (something like "originalunzipped.wrl"), then erase the .gz ending from the gzipped version (something like "original.wrl.gz" becomes "original.wrl"). Right click the link above and "save link as". It's a good idea to gzip all .wrl files as it speeds the download, the VRML plugin expects to find them in the hidden gzip format, and it helps protect your coding. You may also use any compression tool that gzips.

Plain Text Editor (Super NoteTab Classic)
For making hand edits to your unzipped .wrl files. Good for making sure your copyright information is correct, performing unusual effects, renaming the default viewpoints, correcting filetypes, and stitching many small .wrl files into a larger master file. You may NEVER use a WYSIWYG editor (DreamWeaver, FrontPage and similar) for this, you MUST use a plain text editor. Another good plain text editor is NotePad, though it is limited to smaller files. If you use WordPad, make sure to save as "plain text". Right click the link above and "save link as".

VRML Authorware (VRCreator 2.03 Learning Edition), (mirror #1)
VRCreator will NOT install on most Windows 2000 platforms - sorry. It will install on most other Windows platforms (9x, ME, and XP, older Windows NT 3, 4, 5). On some OS (XP in particular), use the Windows 95/98SE emulation mode OR Windows 95 or Windows98/WindowsME to install. Warnings about missing Windows 95/98SE files may be safely ignored. You may need to rightclick the file to access the correct installation in Windows XP.

This is the classic (and still the best) VRML authorware there is. It features an easy development environment and NEVER overchisels your objects (overchiseling creates walls that don't meet, objects that are missing backfaces or interior faces, object becomes invisible from a normal line of view, and similar). Very easy and very intuitive. Comes preloaded with hundreds of models and textures, and an extremely thorough manual. Right click the link above and "save link as". This is a very large file (25.2M's), so a download helper (like GoZilla) should be used when saving it to local. You may also use any VRML authorware that exports as VRML 2.0, VRML 97 or VRML 2000 (aka VRML 97b). VRML 1.0 is partially depracated and should be avoided. If the above links should ever go dead, let us know, we have a conserved copy of this program. Here's some examples of the superior look of a file using VRCreator and the inferior look of a very popular program (Internet Scene Assembler) that overchisels the finished file. Both files are similar sizes (26K) and use identical models, so the "savings" of overchiseling aren't really savings at all. It was about a third faster to make the file in ISA as it allows transparent .gif files in the development environment, but no control over lighting is possible. THE VRCreator version also has superior gravity and boundaries. These worlds were much larger before gzipping (VRCreator was 456K and ISA was 289K), but they gzipped down to nearly identical sizes. Obviously, since the end size is the same, the VRCreator file is superior on all counts. In addition, because VRCreator doesn't use PROTO nodes, it's easier to open it's files in other VRML authorware.

Another similar VRML authorware is the abandonware CosmoWorlds. It was originally developed by one of the companies that founded Platinum. One of the nicest features is that it has an extremely large potential filesize limit, so little or no need to figure out how to stitch files together. Works nicer than VRCreator with inlines and protos.

All of you still clutching your old Spazz3D licenses and looking about for something newer can finally breath deeply and relax: Flux Studio has just been released. Best of all, it's free for personal use. Surf on over to Media Machines and grab your copy, and have a look around, the Media Machine folks are doing seriously good things for Web3D.

Flux Studio is the third generation of Spazz3D, so it looks and acts in a very familiar way. It still does all the things it used to (though the buttons are in different places), plus a lot of the newer X3D functions (shadows, shading, multitexturing, and similar).

Flux Studio builds on the great legacy of Spazz3D and VizX3d (an intermediate build). The familiar GUI is still in use, so the learning curve is virtually instant. The newer buttons and functions have to do with X3D and the latest Blaxxun- and BitManagement-inspired additions to Web3D. Having an IDE for multitextures and movietextures is wonderful beyond wonderful - no more hand edits.

VRML Viewers (Blaxxun), (BSVRMLContact)
You'll need to install the Blaxxun plugin to Netscape and other browsers (fully functional in Internet Explorer and Opera too) to view .wrl files. Click the link above and make your selection from the page (it will open in a new window). We recommend Contact 5, then go into settings, reset the panel to "expert" (it's on the General tab), and make sure "Prefer OpenGL" is checked on the rendering tab. While there are other VRML plugins out there, the Blaxxun installation is the new 'Net standard. It allows you to enjoy VRML chat, view VRML files (except the older 1.0 types), use any Hanime compliant avatar, and correctly sees nurbs. CosmoPlayer is essentially abandonware and has had no new versions in over since 1998. Avatar support is extrememly limited. It does not see lights correctly. Cortona does not see lights correctly. It has extremely limited avatar support. MicroSoft VRML Viewer does not see lights correctly and munges graphics. Backfaces suffer from extreme overchiseling. It does not support avatars and has had no true upgrades in since 1998.

Another really great VRML viewer is BSVRMLContact from the BitManagement.DE team. BSVRML is the next generation of Blaxxun and represents the better parts of Blaxxun reconstituted in a new company. The BSVRMLContact viewer is capable of both classic VRML 2.0 and the newer X3D standards. Highly recommended if you must do X3D. Be sure to go for DirectX7 or DirectX9 (with hardware) if your video card can take it - makes VRML and X3D look and run like a video game. It also gives you the ability to use the newer X3D nodes, things like shadows and such.

File Type Convertors (Crossroads), (CtrlView), (X3d-Edit), (VRMLMerge)
Sometimes you find a file you really want, but it's in the wrong 3D format. Just use a filetype convertor. Crossroads has been an industry standard for years. End result may not always be useable, but they frequently are after resizing and retexturing. Works best with old VRML 1.0, .dxf and .3ds files. If you have other VRML authorware, try importing the file into it, then exporting it as a VRML 2.0 model.

Another great convertor is CtrlView. While it has a very limited number of files it works with, it can open VRML 2.0, then reexport it with virtually all "impossible geometries" removed. This software is officially nagware, so be sure to PAY FOR IT if you find it particularly useful, but its basic functioning isn't dependent on whether you pay or not. When we first converted all the models in our new model area, this is the convertor that allowed us to fix all the badly written VRML so that it was truly VRML 2.0 compliant. If a model still misbehaves after using CtrlView, try reopening it in CtrlView and exporting it a second time. It doesn't always work, but we salvaged several large models in the Castle area by doing this.

If you're into the newer standards (X3D), then X3d-Edit is a must. It's free, and it's X3D code is perfectly formed. Be sure to get the Java enhanced versions if you don't have at least JRE1.4 installed. You can build X3D by hand in it or use its import function to bring a VRML 2.0 file in, then save as X3D (hint: only works with unzipped VRML files). As a side bonus, it installs local copies of the X3D DTD's. Very nice, very powerful and all the code is flawless.

The newest of the VRLM to X3D exporters is (VRMLMerge). It can also be used to sew multiple small VRML files into a single big file and to encode graphics so that they are PixelNodes rather than separate graphic files (produces huge files, so watch out). Its X3D code is wonderful, much smaller than most other exporters.

File Optimizer And Syntax Checking (Blaxxun Wizard), (Chisel), (VIZup)
Not sure if all the tags, inlines and individual pieces of your larger VRML world are properly written? Stitched a half dozen or so small .wrl files into one big monster file and not sure if the "seams" needs adjusting? Try using the Blaxxun Wizard to iron out most of the kinks and wrinkles. Originally developed as an aid for Java3D, Blaxxun Wizard can also be used on plain nonJava VRML. As always, be sure to make a spare backup copy before you use it, it works directly on the file and the changes are NOT reversible. Usually I leave most of the defaults as is, but do make changes on the Rendering Tab (Bilinear Filtering - On, Antialiasing - On, Texture Loading - Dynamic). You can use or uncheck the Gzip option, the Wizard will add an annoying "blaxxun Wizard" line you might want to change (I add in my copyright notice), which is easier to do if not Gzipped. The Java part is ignorable, play with it if you like, but the restrictions are too severe for most serious uses.

The Blaxxun Wizard is highly useful for Zero Digit Indent (makes much smaller files than Double Digit or Single Digit); texture, syntax and tag optimization; rewriting small errors to correct form; and smoothing stitched files into correct form. It should NEVER be used on files using billboards (erases textures and lights), inlines (may erase them, not consistent), PROTOS (erases them), ExternPROTOS (erases them), nor files made using the popular Spazz3D VRML authorware (really goofs 'em fiercely). Since the thrust of this VRML Resources site is for VRCreator, and VRCreator does none of the previously mentioned things, the Blaxxun Wizard is an ideal companion for VRCreator. May not work correctly on VRML 1.0 files.

Another really great optimizer is Chisel. This Java-based program used to cost a lot, but is now offered as freeware. Be sure to save a copy of the download page as it has the directions on how to use Chisel, which is NOT intuitive. The CREATE DEF/USE sections are truly wonderful, it's possible to shave as much as 70% off a filesize. Be sure to use Save As under a new name, this software works directly on the file and changes may NOT be undone.

Once again, VIZup is being offered for free. It's best to use it on the individual models BEFORE making a world, it sometimes messes with textures otherwise. Capable of amazing reductions in filesize. Quick and easy. You select how much to reduce the file and VIZup does it. It nicely renames the file, so you don't have to take precautions.

A special note on all above software: These programs have only been tested on Windows 9x+ (including Windows ME and Windows XP) and Windows NT (Service Pack 3.x+, including Windows 2000) platforms. VRCreator will not install on most Windows 2000 platforms. It will install on most Windows XP platforms.

Mac users should visit Virtual Immersion for tips on developing VRML on the Mac, though the results will be superior when developed on Windows platforms.

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