OGC and Web3D Consortium Sign MoU

The Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC) and the Web3D Consortium have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to cooperatively advance standards to support web-based 3D visualisation, modelling and simulation.

Mark Reichardt, President of the OGC explained, "The OGC membership, working with ISO TC/211 and other standards groups, has helped to make standards-based interoperable geospatial services a reality on the Web. This agreement will enable OGC and Web3D to work more cooperatively on the development and promotion of standards for improved application of web-based, location enabled 3D visualisation, modelling and simulation".

Among the many benefits that will derive from this collaboration will be improved standards-based, location enabled 3D web services to support urban planning; architecture, engineering and construction; climate prediction, homeland security, emergency management, defence and intelligence, and other capabilities.

Alan Hudson, President of Web 3D, noted that "The OGC and the Web3D Consortium envision the synthesis of 2D maps with content-rich 3D immersive worlds. To that end, we believe the incorporation of interactive, internet based 3D graphics is the next logical step that will benefit users with a richer, more meaningful geospatial experience."

The Web3D Consortium is a non-profit, international standards organisation that originally spearheaded the development of the VRML 1.0 and 2.0 specifications. Today, the Web3D Consortium is utilising its broad-based industry support to continue developing the X3D specification, for communicating 3D on the Web, between applications and across distributed networks and web services. Through well-coordinated efforts with the ISO and W3C, and now the OGC, the Web3D Consortium is maintaining and extending its standardisation activities.

(Source: Open Geospatial Consortium)