JReality

Browser 3D Enabling

Here's how to upgrade your browser for cross-platform web-based 3D operation:

1. Obtain the latest version of JavaSE (Standard Edition) for your system (Linux, Solaris, or Windows) from Sun's Java download site. Install the Java Plug-in for your browser of choice following the instructions available on the download site and in the distribution.

2. Obtain the Java3D distribution for your type of system (Linux, Solaris, or Windows) from Sun's Java3D site. Install the Java3D distribution in the Java Plug-in directory of your browser according to the Java3D distribution instructions.

3. On UNIX and Linux, Java enforces extremely tight protective security for your system. A complex applet such as CM Surveyor requires you grant it permission to perform specific read and access operations on Java-related files in your browser installation. To grant this permission, download this Java security policy file which has been developed specifically to allow the CM Surveyor applet to run on your system while retaining all other security protections. Install this file as follows:
   • Rename it ".java.policy" ( do not forget the leading period! )
   • Copy it to your home directory.

These security protections apparently are not enforced on some versions of Windows, and are on others. If you get "SecurityException" errors when Surveyor attempts to run on Windows, install the Java security policy file as described above.

4. Finally, check your browser preferences to be sure Java applet support is enabled. The relevant menu path for Netscape is "Edit - Preferences - Advanced - Enable Java". The menu path for other browsers will be slightly different, but similar.

Other System Requirements

• UNIX and Linux Systems

Mesa3d is a freely-downloadable OpenGL clone that satisfies this requirement. It is available for a wide range of UNIX and UNIX-like systems from mesa3d.org. JReality uses Mesa3d to support Java3D under Linux, with very good results.

• Windows Systems

For newer Windows systems, the standard installation of DirectX fulfills this requirement. On older Windows systems with DirectX versions earlier than 7.0, it is necessary to download DirectX 7.0 or later from MicroSoft's DirectX download site.

Your browser installation should now be ready to view the VR pages on this site.