Completing 3D logo VRML file using StudioPro Blitz

| ACG Home | Instructor Home | Class Home | list of tutorials |

To complete the 3D portion of our web page we will return to StudioPro Blitz to:

  1. Choose the rendering attributes for our model.
  2. Render a thumbnail image of the model, to be used for a hyperlink to the actual 3d scene.
  3. Export the model as a VRML file.
  4. Convert the thumbnail to a JPEG file, using Photoshop.
  5. Edit the HTML file to add a link to the VRML file, using SimpleText.


VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) is a standard way to describe the contents of a 3D scene. It is used in several web sites to give greater immediacy to the viewers' experience. It's advantages include:

The main disadvantage of VRML is that it requires viewers to have access to fairly powerful computers to properly experience the 3D environment. VRML has also been hampered by spotty support in browser software, and a tortuos and conflicted standardization process.

After completing the VRML file, we will return to our main HTML file to add the necessary link to our new multimedia piece.


Choose Rendering Attributes

  1. Change the configuration of the computer for 3D work:
  2. Re-open your 3D logo using Strata StudioPro.
  3. Apply an existing texture to an object in the scene
  4. Adjust the texture mapping scale and orientation
  5. Create and apply a new solid-color texture
  6. Repeat the previous steps to texture the other objects in the scene
  7. Change the orientation and settings of the default light
  8. Create and adjust a new light
  9. Choose environment and atmospheric effects.

| return to top |

Render a Still Image

This picture will be used as a thumbnail for the link from your web page to your VRML file

  1. Change your viewpoint to show the scene at its best
  2. Do a draft-quality test rendering. Close the rendering window (without saving) and make further adjustments if necessary.
  3. Render and save the final image as a PICT file

| return to top |

Export the 3D Scene as a VRML File

  1. Use File-->Save As to display the Save dialog
  2. Choose 'VRML File' from the 'File Format' pop-up menu at the bottom of the dialog
    choosing VRML format in the Save dialog box
  3. Enter the filename (all lowercase) according to these rules:
  4. Click 'Save'
  5. In the 'VRML Export Settings' dialog that appears next, uncheck all the boxes and click 'OK'.
    the VRML Export Settings dialog box
  6. Strata StudioPro won't be able to open the VRML file if you need to make changes to the scene. Make sure to also use the File-->Save command to update the Strata version of your document, and keep it on your disks.
  7. You are now done with Strata StudioPro, and you might want to quit the program to free up memory.

| return to top |

Convert the thumbnail image to JPEG format using Photoshop

  1. Drag the icon of the PICT thumbnail file and drop it on Photoshop
  2. Use File-->Save As to display the Save dialog
  3. Choose 'JPEG' from the 'Format' pop-up menu at the bottom of the dialog
    choosing JPEG format in the Save dialog box
  4. Enter the filename (all lowercase) according to these rules:
  5. Click 'Save'
  6. In the JPEG Options dialog that appears next, choose 'Medium' image quality, 'Baseline Standard' format, and uncheck 'Save Paths'. Click OK.
    the JPEG Options dialog box

| return to top |

Edit the HTML File for Your Web Page

  1. Drag the icon of your current '.html' file and drop it on SimpleText
  2. Click to place the insertion point where you would like to see the thumbnail linking to your VRML logo scene.
  3. Enter the tag to display the thumbnail:
  4. Before the IMG tag, enter the start tag for the link to your VRML file:
  5. After the IMG tag, enter the end tag for the link:
  6. Following all of the above instructions, Sam Sample's HTML file would contain this line:

Before leaving, make sure you transfer your new '.wrl' file and the edited HTML file to the file server for posting to the web server.

| return to top |


Additional Info:


Copyright by Sandro Corsi. Last modified 17 MAR 98.