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Please recommend a book/website for help with Java + 3D modeling output

C

CKDragon

Diamond Member
Hi guys,

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I have been charged with finding out how feasible it would be to change a portion of our 2D GUI into 3D. This is way out of the scope of my job and I'm just looking for some information on what software I would use to make the java code affect a 3D model.

Brief description of the program:
Basically, picture a mapping program (Microsoft Streets & Trips, Mapquest, Google Earth, etc.). Now picture that the primary functionality is showing weather/weapon effects and how they affect the area (wind/chemical plumes/all that fun stuff). Now this program is 100% complete with a 2D map. But I need to see how feasible it would be to change the 2D maps to 3D models.

I've messed around very minimally with 3D Studio Max and I had basic Java classes 3 years ago. What I'm looking for is a book or website that will help show how to get the two worlds to interface. I'm sorry for how noobish these questions are and I'm sure I'm using improper terminology in spots, but any help you can provide would be GREATLY appreciated.

CK
 
Does it have to be Java? I don't think Java would give you desirable 3D rendering performance for such an app.

There is a Java Community developed Java 3D package. There are also some Java-OpenGL bridges out there, but they seem to be in the infancy of development.
 

you can probably do it with a combination of 3D Studio Max and VRML (virtual reality modelling language)

Max has a function called displacement mapping. it helps to have a gray-scale image about 200 x 200 pixels, for example.
you select all the vertex'es/vertices in a plane, than select a function called "displace", and it projects the image onto
the plane - making a 3D image out of it. some pictures work better than others.

the downloads for 3D max are free 30 day full-function.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=5659302&siteID=123112

Max. Revision 7 was better, you got the tutorials too. best deal i've ever seen
in the 3D world.

once you have a plane (3D poly mesh), you can export it in VRML format. then you need a way to view it.

unfortunately, 3D capability is still not built into web browsers. if you to to Parallel Graphics website, you
can get the Cortona VRML plug-in (they used to be called plug-ins), for Explorer. so now you're viewing
the 3D contour - which looks like the original photograph - in a browser window.

when you say 2D gui - that means you're trying to imprint a 3D rendering, onto a re-sizeable browser window ?
 
Like MrChad said, you probably want to look around at OpenGL bindings. If that doesn't work out, you could possibly try binding to a native language that does have good opengl bindings and add an extra layer in there (although that doesn't seem particulary pretty and I have no clue about plugging native-drawn stuff into a java gui). Anyone know if jython can use the python/opengl bindings?
 
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