> Got a couple of questions folks...I'm new to VRML but not 3D
> Modeling and rendering. I'm curious how VRML scenes are "rendered",
Check out the spec! http://www.eit.com/vrml/ and more general info
http://vrml.wired.com
> Does it do PHONG shading?
No, PHONG shading is not specified in VRML 1.0. (but Phong lighting is
assumed)
Note. to specify Gouraud, use PER_VERTEX normal binding, PER_FACE gets
you flat shading. There is no explicit shading model. Perhaps is you
wanted Phong shading, you would add PER_PIXEL normal binding.
> Is it based on triangle meshes useing vertexs,
> faces, and normals kinda like 3D Studio does?
kinda, but the only primitive in VRML 1.0 is the indexed face set. Perhaps
concern over the size of VRML files will get triStrips & quads in VRML 1.1.
> I've noticed there are
> people working on .3DS to .WRL files...does this mean any object I could
> model in 3DS could be used and manulipated in a VRML enviroment?
YES.
> Aslo
> will coverters be able do lighting, cameras, and materiels (including
> texture maps) or just geometry?
The better converters will do all of the above.
-Jan