Description:
E-maginer World Modeller is geared towards both expert and beginning Web developers. Based on the SCOL programming language developed by Cryonetworks, the application gives users the ability to personalize a 3-D universe with built-in features such as chat, file exchange, and games. The first steps to using E-maginer World Modeller are straightforward. With a few easy-to-follow instructions, users are guided through a series of setup pages. Once the setup pages are completed, a basic site is generated and successfully connected to the Internet. During the customization portion of the setup, developers are given the option to host from their personal computers or on the Internet. Luckily, ISP partners in most countries provide free hosting of the E-maginer site, and you can link to them easily. Once up and running, the developer is able to shape his or her world by changing the properties of the scene. These properties include the objects located in the world, the materials used to create these objects, and effects such as lighting that are associated with each object. It is also possible to upload photographs, sounds, and even movies to use as backgrounds or textures. With a click of a button, the 3-D scene is displayed as visitors to the site will see it. Developers also have the ability to update their E-maginer sites by using built-in FTP capabilities. Other features allow developers to start mailing lists and create news groups. Using the World Modeller option, developers can systematically plan the architecture of each room by choosing from a wide variety of colors, textures, sizes, and shapes. Although time-consuming, this feature gives users the ability to make unique virtual landscapes with more than 400 textures and 80 3-D objects. Less adventurous developers can choose a preloaded 3-D virtual world. Inside the virtual world, up to 10 guests, appearing as personalized avatars, can be invited to chat, listen to music, share files, and play games, including paintball. Together, people can draw and plot shapes and lines on a virtual whiteboard, or view Web sites by clicking on selected textures or objects. E-maginer World Modeller lets first-time developers create Web sites that feature 3-D environments and file-sharing capabilities. More advanced developers gain the strength of 3-D modeling to enhance their already existing Web communities. --Rich Ting
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