Distributed virtual reality: building a multi-user layer for the EVE Platform

In this paper, we present the design and implementation of a VRML97 multi-user layer, which is introduced in the EVE distributed virtual reality platform. Though other approaches use a VRML node insertion mechanism, such as VSPLUS, or a substitution mechanism, such as SPIN-3D, our approach uses a removal mechanism. Main consideration of our multi-user extension is the ease of transforming single-user virtual worlds into multi-user virtual worlds, as well as the conformity with any standard VRML97 browser. Furthermore, we present the EVE’ s communication platform, which can be used in order to support Collaborative Virtual Environments. Main issues regarding the effective network communication as well as the initialization of the 3D scene are discussed in this paper. q 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.