Function-based representation of complex geometry and appearance

In this paper, we introduce a function-based extension of Virtual Reality Modeling Language. In this extension, analytical functions are used for defining geometry and appearance of 3D shapes, as well as transformations of them. By analytical functions we understand definitions with parametric, implicit and explicit formulas. In our hybrid function-based web visualization model, these very different analytical representations can be used concurrently for defining geometry and appearance of the shapes. We also illustrate how the proposed extension can be further enriched with any proprietary function-based models. The presented VRML plug-in is very useful for building both static and interactive virtual environments on the Web. This is illustrated with the implementation of the Virtual Collaborative Shape Modeling Laboratory.