VRML 2.0 2e

Even nearly nine years after it was first written, this book continues to be valuable for more reasons than when it was published. If you are still involved in VRML and have some need to learn this language, this book is a complete guide that starts from the beginning with the simplest concepts and shape definitions and then builds to advanced concepts such as textures, lighting, and fog. Throughout the book there are figures of the resulting images and plenty of sample VRML files for all examples. I do agree with the other reviewers that chapter 30, the one on scripting, is really the only chapter that is no longer worthwhile since so many changes have been made to the scripting part of VRML. Other than that, this is truly one of the best written and most instructive tech books I have ever bought. If you are going to study VRML, there is no longer any other book in existence but this one that is worth owning. The second reason to own this book has only popped up over the last two or three years. Since Xj3D began to come on the scene several years ago as the XML-based open-source replacement for VRML, this book has become invaluable for evaluating that tool's ability to build virtual worlds. In fact, the Web3D consortium's "test files" for Xj3D, which continues to be a work in progress, are VRML files from this book that have been translated into Xj3D. Since the base tags are the same in Xj3D as they are in VRML, if you are able to understand VRML you should be able to understand what's going on in an Xj3D file with just a little investigation into the basic differences. This will allow you to intelligently evaluate Xj3D and determine if you can find any weaknesses or discrepancies in that tool's implementation.

This book is perfect for beginners and those that already now the basics and want to advance further. It has many examples and is written in a intelligent manor. If you are advanced in VRML you may still benefit from this book however when it comes to scripting and adding Java to your 3d worlds you will need to invest in other books.

Doesn't take you through the subject in the conventional manner. After the first couple of intro chapters, you can then easily delve into any other chapter for what you need. Very useful as a reference once you understand the basics. A bit weak on using scripts to control and interact with VRML worlds. Other than this minor gripe, a great book.

I have done extensive programming with VRML, and I find this book the best source for learning how to build VRML worlds. Explanations are simple, thorough, and complete with code examples. I recommend this book without any reservations, to anybody wanting to explore VRML.

Although a 600+ page book may appear daunting, the VRML Sourcebook is written so that after the first couple of chapters, you can jump around, reading the chapters you want or need, and skipping others until you need them. It's a great single book reference, as a beginner can use it, but unlike many beginner guides, it's complete and thorough. You won't outgrow it, or find that anything important's been left out.If, like me, you are new to 3D computer worlds, it may be hard to follow the concepts and language syntax just from reading the book. Once you start working with it, however, the basics become clear, and the book becomes a great reference. Since the entry requirements are so low, there's no reason not to try out the hands-on examples or create your own worlds. A free VRML browser, some of which are included on the CD, a text editor (WordPad or vi will do) and this book is all that's needed to get started writing VRML!One typo note: page 547, the Collision node starts with "Collision" not "Group".