JReality
JavaTM Virtual Reality Applications and
Related Technologies
Web-based Virtual Reality (VR)
CM Surveyor
Special Status Report
Shortly after the CM Surveyor Java3D-based applet was completed in 2002, it was submitted to the Java3D team at Sun Microsystems for review and comment. Their feedback on using a Java3D-enabled applet to empower existing web browers to display virtual reality web pages was positive. Shortly afterward, Sun high-level management announced that Java3D would not be included in the standard Java runtime environment for web browsers (a practical prerequisite for widespread use of Java3D in web browsers). Several years later, the curtain began to fall on browser-based applets as well -- supposedly for security reasons. Today web browsers no longer support applet plug-ins, making it impossible to use an applet like CM Surveyor to empower web browsers to display 3D virtual reality web pages.
Although the CM Surveyor concept is now dead, its API Technology and "Freedom" development methodology underly CM Creator. In time, CM Surveyor itself may form the basis for virtual reality display capability within CM Creator.