This site's primary function is to act as a showcase for for a web technology called virtual reality modeling language, or VRML. Much like the more familiar HTML, VRML is a specialized language developed for the Internet. However, where HTML excels at displaying 2D text and images, VRML was specifically designed to display three-dimensional, interactive, virtual worlds!
Now, the good part is that VRML lets the viewer display real-time virtual worlds that can be interacted with on an individual basis and perspective. Viewers are not given a set of rigid instructions or standards on how they should view a given VRML model. Instead, viewers are given free reign to explore these 3D constructs in any manner or viewpoint they so desire. Now, having said all this good stuff, there are some things you need to know.
VRML is very RAM intensive; especially this site's model. So, it is important to free up as much memory as possible (i.e. close unnecessary applications or other programs) before interacting with any VRML model. Also, though not an extreme must, it would be helpful if your computer had a good graphics accelerator or 3D card installed. This hardware helps convert the complex viewpoints and shapes in a much faster manner than standard monitor drivers and a PCI graphics card. Lastly, your browser will need a special helper application called VRML browser or a plug-in to interpret the VRML code into a viewable image.
For casual VRML browsing, we would recommend a plug-in over a full-blown VRML browser. Plug-ins are easy to install in existing internet browsers such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator and they are generally more user-friendly. The two we would recommend would be either Intervista's Worldview or SGI's CosmoPlayer. Both offer easy to master controls, support both VRML 1.0 and 2.0 standards, they're free, and they're compatible with both of the popular browsers. You will need to download and install one of these plug-ins before proceeding to the VRML tour on this site. So, what are you wainting for?!
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