I couldn't agree with you more.However we cant get all this things (to me the bug fixes are most important) while Java3D is in "holding pattern".
Ivan.
From: John Wright <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: Discussion list for Java 3D API <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [JAVA3D] Is Java3D dead? Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 09:41:59 -0500
IL-2 / Forgotten Battles uses Java for more than just a "scripting language". Based on the fact that you can swap the JVM for a different version of JVM and the performance / frame rate changes indicates that Java *is* running during real time playing / flying. I do believe Oleg Maddox mentioned that the 3D engine is custom written (native code added onto Java) but I could find no mention of Java in the FAQs on their website.
IL-2 / Forgotten Battles is an excellent example of using Java to write a mainstream commercial high performance game. Others of us have written first person real time worlds that perform very well (just look at Dave Yazel's Magicosm!) with pure Java 3D.
JOGL may help some developers gain some features they want / need. But those of us that have been developing with Java 3D for a couple years are somewhat worried about Sun's "public" change in position (Java 3D is on "hold"; JOGL is encouraged). Java 3D is NOT dead, version 1.3.1 works very well, but the future is doubtful.
The "need for speed" attitude irritates me somewhat. Sure we want high performance, but ease of development is actually FAR more important to me.
What do we need? 1) Better Documentation 2) Bug fixes 3) Additional Features 4) Higher performance In that order!
What does JOGL give us? First it's given us confusion. Where do we find it? Who is developing it? What is the long term commitment? Is there decent documentation? Is there a built version for download (or do we all have to compile it ourselves)? Will several different people/companies develop scenegraphs to function with it? (which one should you choose?) A few people on this list have addressed some of these issues, but the questions remain without any clear answers. JOGL is potentially exciting, but I certainly won't be rushing out to learn it and port my applications to it. From my point of view JOGL will be worth looking at in about six months.
Not to take too many pot shots or bash on Sun, but I do wonder about the wisdom of Sun's top level leadership. Sure PDAs are a hot market right now (and Sun has toyed at supporting them for years now), it's a good business move to increase support for PDA software development. The PDA market will continue to be a major market for decades to come.
3D Graphics is also an exploding technology. Does anyone (probably not on this list) think that 3D effects and technology is going to fade? A passing fad? No, there will be more and more demand for producing 3D graphics in the coming years. Java 3D was a shining hope for making this "easily" accessible to a wide range of software developers. Java 3D does have a somewhat steep learning curve but once you get past the first basics (some better documentation would be EXTREMELY valuable) it really is fairly easy. Learning OpenGL and using JOGL to make OpenGL calls pushes 3D back into the hands of only the very devoted and focussed 3D developers. Not a good move.
- John Wright Starfire Research
Ben Moxon wrote: > > Unfortunately IL2, although it uses Java as a scripting language, uses a C++ 3D engine. I have seen this rumour around the place for a while and it is just incorrect. I think the faq on the IL2 site corrects this. > > -ben > > -----Original Message----- > From: Alessandro Borges [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: 25 June 2003 14:51 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [JAVA3D] Is Java3D dead? > > About : > > 1. We need more java-based games to show that fast games can be written > > in java. > > A very good exampe of mass market game in java is IL2-Sturmovik and its new > version IL2-Forgotten Batlles. (http://www.il2sturmovik.com) > "Game of the Year" from a dozen magazines and game sites. > The graphics are amazing, of course. See the screenshots section in the > above link. > > P.S.: the best U$40,00 I spend least years ;-) > > Alessandro >
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