X3D version 4.0 Development
From Web3D.org
X3D version 4.0 Development efforts are considering potentially major additions to the baseline X3D architecture.
- Major technology under consideration: HTML5/Declarative 3D/X3DOM
- Major technology under consideration: Augmented Reality Continuum (ARC)
- Relaxing prior design constraints can enable a broader new basis for X3D integration
- Normalizing interaction semantics with HTML5 might further open up X3D for Web authors
Please contact us if you think additional technologies need to be considered. X3D futures planning is currently a Web3D Consortium member-only activity.
Backwards/forward compatibility
- A major benefit of using the X3D standard is full backwards compatibility with prior VRML97 and X3D content
- Continued growth for the current X3D architecture continues with X3D version 3.4 Development
- Our goal is to maximize, but not necessarily require, backwards compatibility in version 4.0
- A great majority of X3D nodes features are likely achievable without change
- Some X3D features may require import/export conversion for compatibility (ROUTEs and sensors perhaps)
- A few features might be refactored, deprecated or obsoleted (none yet identified)
The comprehensive forward compatibility of VRML97 and X3D with later-developed X3D versions shows that careful anticipatory design is achievable.