The focus of this book is the World Wide Web, part of the Internet in which it is possible to explore three-dimensional models similar to the real world (3D virtual worlds). This book is a guide to the possible future of the Internet: virtual reality and the VRML language. The themes proposed for discussion are extremely interesting; the authors are pioneers in virtual worlds. The book comes with a CD that contains Intervista World View 1.0, some instruments for using VRML, and the samples presented in the book.

The book is intended as a VRML tutorial with examples, and this purpose is fulfilled. It is divided into an introductory chapter, seven thematic chapters, six appendices, and an index table. The structure is balanced, though some chapters could be shortened by removing unnecessary observations about the utility of three-dimensional models.

The introductory chapter contains basic concepts about the real world; virtual worlds; the structure of the Internet; Web pages; Web servers; and navigation with the help of currently used browsers and VRML browsers. It is useful for Internet beginners. Chapter 1 presents the basics of communication techniques, computer networks, computer graphics, the deployment of graphics on the Internet, compression, and graphical visualization techniques. Chapter 2 is a good short history of the Internet, the World Wide Web, Internet browsers, virtual worlds, and life in cyberspace.

Chapter 3 contains data on the installation and use of the Intervista browser and Reality Lab driver, both of which can be found on the CD. Good product installation instructions for Microsoft Windows 95 and DOS 3.1 are given. World View’s graphical interface for both platforms is presented. Chapter 4 discusses exploration of simple and complex virtual worlds on the Internet using a VRML browser, and includes a list of great VRML sites. Details of the current Netscape browser are presented as well. Chapter 5 introduces VRML, presenting key aspects of the language (syntax, predefined shapes, 3D-world rendering considerations, and VRML files). Code samples are listed and annotated, are printed in special fonts, and are easily found in their location in the margin. Chapter 6 presents virtual worlds, 3D model–building techniques using VRML, and techniques of interaction through VRML browsers. Chapter 7 is a speculative presentation of the future of VRML and of virtual worlds on the Web. Details on Java are also given.

Appendix A contains a guide to the Netscape browser, including some important technical details. This is a good presentation for beginners. Appendix B contains data about syntax, file formats, and building techniques for VRML version 1.1 Draft and version 2.0. Code samples are also presented. The information will be useful to VRML programmers. Appendix C is a quick reference to the World View VRML browser for Windows 3.1 and Windows 95.

Appendix D is a list of uniform resource locators (URLs) for Internet access providers in the US. Appendix E lists URLs containing VRML specifications and documentation, and URLs for other sources of information. Appendix F describes the contents of the CD-ROM. The examples provided on the CD, including the World View Intervista browser, can be tried without a connection to the Internet. The only requirement is a valid, installed browser. The CD-supplied browser is expired, but it can be run by pushing the system date back one year.

The book also includes an index, which is, unfortunately, poor, especially with regard to the syntactic components and concepts of VRML. It is rich in images that clarify the material, however. There are captioned images of virtual worlds (which are also on the CD), and images of browser application windows, menu bars, and such.

Terms, concepts, and abbreviations used are explained gradually, as they are introduced. The book is addressed to beginners in Internet navigation (it contains elementary information), but also to specialists experienced with the Internet who may know HTML, which provides elements of VRML.

I recommend this book to people who want to start navigating the Internet as well as to those currently using Internet services who want to stay on top of its recent evolution.