From: Sandy Ressler (vrml.guide_at_miningco.com)
Date: 15 February 1999
Bingo! You got that one right...VRML is an output medium, a technology for
displaying
3D graphics over the web. Storytelling is a motivation for many people
involved with
this technology but is quite separate. As was mentioned a long time ago VRML
would
be a cool output medium for Chris' Erazmatazz engine/system.
The connection (one of motivation) is however important. The development of
technologies for
their own sake is fine for pure engineer science types but the development of
technologies
driven by other motivations (storytelling, education, e-commerce) is much
richer.
Most people aren't pure science types or pure artist types so crossover of
these influences
is common. The danger is when artist types get too involved with the
technology and eventually drop
their art...a common phenomenon IMHO. The converse are engineer types who have
"art thrust upon
them" also a common occurance. It's just important to be aware of these
differences.
Sandy (the schizoid type) :-)
Chris Crawford wrote:
> I have but one observation to offer. I counted at least 3 references to an
> ultimate goal of using VRML for storytelling. Yet most of the discussion
> centers on polygon models, fps, texture, language utility, execution speed
> and reliability, and of course, 3D.
>
> Now, maybe I'm dumb, but I just don't see the connection between these two
> fields of endeavor. Both are good, honorable, challenging, important, and
> interesting -- but they don't have anything to do with each other.
>
> This seems very much like a "render unto Caesar" problem. VRML appears to
> be an attempt to get 3D imagery running over the web. That's good. But why
> attempt to force this poor horse to do something it wasn't designed to do?
> I would think that, if you wanted to do storytelling you'd worry about
> things like plot, character, climax, denoument -- that kinda stuff. And if
> you wanted to do 3D, you'd worry about things like polygons, texture,
> execution speed -- the kinda things that VRML worries about.
>
> Am I out of touch with VRML reality?
>
> Chris
--
Sandy / VRML Guide
The Mining Co. http://vrml.miningco.com
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