Martin,
RE your comment: "even if it takes 10 times longer to develop a program
using C++ and OpenGL, if you want people to use it you may have to"
Respectfully disagree. Java's overwhelming success, and something most managers are
clueless about, is the productivity gains over C++.
Java 3D is the best of both worlds - OpenGL foundation, and object oriented
programming.
Mitch Williams
Web 3D Developer and UCLA & UC Berkeley Extension Java 3D Instructor
PS: Though, C++ manuals make for a much better bon fire.
Martin Baker wrote:
> Justin, Fiona,
>
> To add to your debate, I really like Java3D and I think it is the most productive
> 3D programming environment that I have come across. But ... I do think it has
> more fundamental problems than you suggest.
>
> There does not seem to be a way to distribute applications to end users unless
> they are prepared to spend a lot of time downloading and installing Java2 then
> Java3D then the application.
>
> Better support from browsers might help (is IE likely to support Java3D at some
> date?). But what about big applications that need to read and write local files?
> I don't think most users would be prepared to do the big downloads and installations
> required just to try out a program.
>
> Even a native exe compiler would not help (even if you could find one to support
> Java3D). Once you compile all the Java libraries to native you are going to
> end up with a 30M download.
>
> Also, 3D programs are quite heavy users of CPU power, and the JVM interpretation
> must hit performance, and with new microprocessors bringing out new instructions
> aimed at 3D, this gap is likely to increase. There is also a problem of the
> program stopping at intervals due to garbage collection.
>
> In short, I think Java3D makes it much easier to develop 3D applications, but
> much harder to use them. So, even if it takes 10 times longer to develop a program
> using C++ and OpenGL, if you want people to use it you may have to.
>
> I hope I've missed something, please prove me wrong!!!
>
> Martin Baker
>
> http://www.martinb.com
>
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--
----------------
Mitch Williams http://www.VirtualBeach.com
310-375-1591 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Virtual Beach - 3D Media Consulting for the Internet
Courses and Seminars:
"Interactive 3D Media for the Internet":
UCLA:
Thurs., Nov 11 - Dec. 14, Universal Studios
UC Santa Barbara:
Sat., Feb. 12, 13, 2000
"Java 3D"
UCLA:
Fri., Jan. 14 - Feb. 18, 2000
UC Berkeley:
Sat., April 15 - 29, 2000
"Overview of Emerging Web Technologies":
UC Irvine:
Tues., Jan. 4 - Feb. 1
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