At Tuesday 2/1/00 , you wrote:
>
> Just got the new update package of our software (Vero VISI-series):
>
> I saw it is possible now to export a vrml-mesh file of a 3d solid. My first
> impression (visual) is that the meshes are about the same as an .stl mesh.
> Can someone inform me on what the difference there is between these 2 mesh
> data types, and wherefor/when a vrml-mesh is used?
>
> Thank you and kind regards,
>
> Jorn
Beste Jorn,
The basic geometry description in STL and VRML is indeed the same: the
surface of the geometry described in (small) triangles.
Though, in VRML a number of extra options is present, like:
- colour
- basic shapes like spheres, boxes etc
- a tree-like structure. For instance for a car the VRML file can do with
describing the geometry of one wheel only. The other three wheels can
be defined as repeated instances, using a transformation matrix to
define the new position and orientation.
Do note that two different versions are defined: VRML V1.0 and V2.0
Basic use of VRML is transferring 3D geometry over the Internet: the
format description is closely related to HTML
You can download VRML plug-ins for the Navigator and Explorer browsers.
In practice VRML files will thus be much smaller than STL, for a short
download time.
Still VRML can be used very well for RP: our DeskProto RP software
imports both STL and VRML, which is easy in cases where for instance
an assembly cannot be exported as STL.
Best Regards,
Lex Lennings.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delft Spline Systems, The Netherlands.
We offer DeskProto: affordable Rapid Prototyping using CNC milling
Mailto:info@spline.nl Website: http://www.deskproto.com
For more information about the rp-ml, see http://ltk.hut.fi/rp-ml/
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