Java 3D Techniques for Real Applications

"Java 3D Techniques for Real Applications" is a comprehensive guide to
all of the current 3D graphics programming techniques. Combining solid
theory with practical example code, it brings advanced techniques such
as humanoid animation and large-scale visualization to your day-to-day
3D applications. This is the first and only advanced and introductory
book to sophisticated 3D application techniques.
Position statement: During the later part of 2001 Java3D has become
accepted as a mainstream API for developing 3D graphics applications.
Starting with Siggraph, Java3D has been demonstrated as the rendering
engine for all but the most cutting edge of 3D games. There is now a
specific JSR that is aimed at Java and gaming, of which Java3D is a
core component (JSR 135). Java3D has also found its way into more
traditional high-end realms that have previously been home to the
incumbent SGI Performer and OpenGL in the CAVE and terrain
visualization realms.
While there have been many books, both on Java3D and OpenGL, dealing
with basic 3D graphics programming techniques, there has yet to appear
on the market any book that deals with what could be described as Real
World techniques. These techniques are beyond the basic polygon
pushing of the other books. In this book, the aim is to cover all of
those techniques that are needed to produce a commercial application -
both gaming and non-gaming. For example - "How do I visualize a world
that is 100km square?", or "How do I make a realistic looking fire?"
While there are instructions on how to code these individual items in
various technical papers, web sites and smaller tutorials, there is
not a single, cover-all, bible-like compendium that treats these
subjects as a single integrated approach. This book aims to be that