Advances in X3D multi-user virtual environments

This paper presents the current state of the art in Web3d multi-user technologies and more specifically networked virtual environment platforms that support the X3D standard, which are currently limited in number, and also the existing X3D browsers that enable these applications. Furthermore, this paper presents the architecture of a platform, called EVE, which was developed to support multi-user virtual environments and was initially based on VRML, as well as the implementation regarding the process of upgrading this platform in order to fully support the X3D standard, using the open-source Xj3D library. Finally, the benefits of shifting to the X3D standard are presented, and some of the problems that currently exist are discussed.