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X3D-Edit 4.0 Authoring Tool
for Extensible 3D (X3D) Graphics

    
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Overview | Acknowledgements | Books | Chat | Downloads | Features | Licenses | Mailing Lists | Source | Support | Visualization | Savage Developers Guide | X3D Resources | X3D Scene Authoring Hints | Xj3D | Contact

X3D-Edit is a free, open-source Extensible 3D (X3D) Graphics authoring tool for simple high-quality authoring, editing, import/export, validation and viewing of X3D scenes.

X3D-Edit 4.0 splash screen

New version available! 2 August 2023. X3D-Edit 4.0 is a trusted plugin available within NetBeans Integrated Developing Environment (IDE).

Now using Java OpenJDK 20 and Apache NetBeans 19.

Regular updates are being released in support of SIGGRAPH Conference 6-10 August 2023 and Web3D 2023 Conference 9-11 October 2023.

You are welcome to send issue reports (success, failure, suggestions) to brutzman at nps.edu and tdnorbra at nps.edu

X3D-Edit 4.0 welcome screen


Overview to top

The X3D-Edit 4.0 Authoring Tool for Extensible 3D (X3D) Graphics supports the creation, checking, display and publication of X3D scenes. It is written in open-source Java and XML using the NetBeans platform, making it suitable both as a standalone application and as a plugin module for the NetBeans integrated development environment (IDE).

Motivation for X3D-Edit design has always been centered around authors making great X3D content for Web users, precise implementation of the X3D specifications, and quality assurance (QA) for producing reliable results.

X3D-Edit features include direct editing of X3D scenes using the XML (.x3d) encoding, embedded visualization of scenes using an enhanced version of the original Xj3D viewer, XML validation using X3D DTD grammars, X3D Schema grammars and X3D Schematron rules, drag-and-drop palette for X3D nodes, popup panels for node editing, and extensive help resources. Menu selections provide import/export support for the VRML97 (.wrl), ClassicVRML (.x3dv) and X3D compressed binary (.x3db) encodings. Further features include encryption and digital-signature authentication using XML Security standards, and additional X3D scene authoring support.

X3D-Edit 4.0 is stable and available for public use.


Acknowledgements to top

X3D-Edit 4.0 was created by Mike Bailey, Don Brutzman and Terry Norbraten. Additional help and feedback was provided by Don McGregor, Terry Norbraten, Jeff Weekley, plus the MV3204 Introduction to X3D Graphics and the MV4205 Advanced X3D Graphics classes at NPS.

We gratefully acknowledge further assistance by Leonard Daly (Daly Realism), Alan Hudson (Yumetech), Rick Goldberg (Aniviza), plus members of the Web3D Consortium and the X3D Graphics Working Group.

X3D-Edit was built as an externally funded research project performed by the Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation (MOVES) Institute at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey California USA.

Research and development inquiries are welcome. We are happy to discuss the possibility of embedding other open-source Java libraries and providing further X3D functionality within X3D-Edit.


Books to top


Downloads to top

Installation prerequisites: Java JDK 18 or better, NetBeans 18 or better. Now using Java OpenJDK 20 and Apache NetBeans 18.

The trusted NetBeans Plugin Update Center (image) shows over 1,000 downloads since May 2023.

For confirmation of your trusted NetBeans plugin installation, here are screenshots:

Latest standalone executable versions are separately maintained on SourceForge: X3D-Edit 4.0 installers with over 400 downloads this year. Also periodically available: Pre-Release Testing versions.


Features to top

X3D-Edit has grown in parallel to development of the X3D Specification, testing X3D functionality throughout years of development. Built-in features include:

X3D-Edit Preferences panel exposes numerous settings for users.

New and additional features include the following. to top


Licenses to top

X3D-Edit 4.0 is open source, written in Java and XML, based on the NetBeans platform. It may be used for any legitimate purpose.

Other ancillary supporting packages are provided under the terms of their own respective open-source licenses.


Mailing Lists to top


Support to top

X3D-Edit runs on desktop/laptop/tablet systems and is portable across major operating systems (Windows 7-10, MacOSX, Linux).


Visualization Features to top

Author-assist visualization graphics are provided for certain X3D nodes in order to help show their effects.

Visualization graphics are available for the following X3D nodes:


Contact to top

Questions, suggestions and comments about these resources are welcome. Please send them to Don Brutzman (brutzman at nps.edu)

Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for this page is https://savage.nps.edu/X3D-Edit/X3D-Edit.html

Page revised 29 September 2023.

(official disclaimer)