VRML Plugin and Browser Detector

JavaScript and/or ActiveX must be enabled in the web browser for VRML Plugin and Browser Detector to work.

In Internet Explorer, try the following:

Go to Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > scroll down to Security and select "Allow active content to run in files on My Computer"
Go to Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level > Active Scripting > Enable > OK
Go to Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level > Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins > Enable > OK

Some computers have Internet Explorer security restrictions such that the user will always be prompted, when a VRML file is displayed, that there are restrictions on running scripts or ActiveX controls. Changing the settings above might not work or are disabled. To view a VRML file, the blocked content must be allowed by clicking on the security popup above and selecting Allow Blocked Content.

In Firefox or Netscape 9, go to Tools > Options > Content or Web Features > check "Enable JavaScript" > OK

In Opera, go to Tools > Preferences > Multimedia > check "Enable JavaScript" > OK

In Netscape 8, go to Tools > Options > Site Controls > check "Enable JavaScript" > OK

In Netscape 7, SeaMonkey, or Mozilla, go to Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Scripts & Plug-ins > check "Enable JavaScript for Navigator" > OK

If a VRML plugin is installed, then try displaying the VRML model.

VRML Plugins

Software	Type	OS			Browser		X3D
Software	Type	Win	Linux	Mac	IE	Firefox	X3D
Cosmo Player	P	X			X	X
Flux Player	P,S,T	X			X	X	X
Octaga Player *	P,S	X	X	X	X	X	X
Cortona3D *	P	X		X	X	X
BS Contact *	P,S	X			X	X	X
SwirlX3D	P,S	X			X	X	X
FreeWRL	P,S,T		X	X		X	X
OpenVRML	P,S,T		X	X		X	X
InstantPlayer	S	X	X	X			X
Xj3D	S,T	X	X	X			X
Orbisnap	S	X	X	X
Demotride	S	X					X
BS Contact J *	A	X	X	X	X	X	X

Types: P-plugin, S-standalone program, T-toolkit, A-applet (* - Purchasing a license removes the product logo) Disclaimer: NIST does not review of any of the plugins and software, nor does their mention on these web pages imply a recommendation or endorsement.

VRML is the Virtual Reality Modeling Language, a standard file format to display 3D models on the web. The most common way to display, show, browse, play, or view VRML files, models, or worlds (.wrl file extension) is with a VRML plugin, also known as a browser, player, viewer, reader, add-on, client, toolkit, program, software, or ActiveX control. You must download and install the VRML plugin in Internet Explorer, Firefox, or other browser. Some of the VRML plugins can also display X3D files. The current version of VRML is referred to as VRML 2.0 or VRML97.

Windows: Cosmo Player, Flux Player, Octaga Player *, Cortona3D *, BS Contact *, SwirlX3D, more
Linux: Octaga Player, FreeWRL, OpenVRML
Macintosh: Octaga Player, FreeWRL, OpenVRML, Cortona
Windows Mobile / PocketPC: BS Contact Mobile, Pocket Cortona *
VRML examples: Structural Steel, User-Controlled Construction Equipment, VCBT, Scientific

X3D Plugins

X3D is an open standards file format and run-time architecture to represent and communicate 3D scenes and objects using XML. It can be thought of as the next generation of VRML. X3D files can be displayed with a X3D plugin, program, or toolkit. Most of the X3D plugins also display VRML files.

Plugins and software: Flux Player, Octaga Player *, BS Contact *, InstantPlayer, FreeWRL, OpenVRML, SwirlX3D, Xj3D, more
X3D examples: nistlogo.x3d, nistlogo.x3dz (gzipped), nistlogo.x3dv (Classic VRML), Structural Steel, more

VRML and X3D Standalone Programs, Toolkits, and Applets

VRML and X3D files can also be displayed without a plugin with the following standalone programs, toolkits and applets written in C++, Java, Java3D, and JOGL.

InstantPlayer (Multi-platform), Flux Player (Windows, toolkit), Octaga Player (Windows, Linux), BS Contact (Windows), SwirlX3D (Windows), Xj3D (Multi-platform, toolkit), FreeWRL (Linux, Mac), OpenVRML (Linux, Mac, toolkit), Java 3D VRML Loader (Toolkit), Orbisnap (Multi-platform), Demotride (Windows), Deep View (Windows), Myriad 3D Reader (Windows), Heilan X3D Browser (Windows, Linux, toolkit), Carina (Multi-platform), VRMLView (Windows, Linux), SimVRML (Mac), MobiX3D (PDA), X3D Tool Kit (Toolkit), Open ActiveWrl (Toolkit), CyberX3D (Toolkit), BS Contact J * (Applet)
Other plugins: Vivaty Player (formerly Flux Player), blaxxun Contact, Pivoron Player, RTI 3D Model Viewer, OpenWorlds

VRML and X3D Links

Detector Information

Web3D Consortium, VRML Wikipedia, X3D Wikipedia, MacWeb3D, Web3D 2008

VRML Annotated Reference Manual, VRML Primer and Tutorials, VRML Archives, VRML Specification, Learn X3D

VRML to X3D Translator, Collada to VRML/X3D Translator, VRML 1.0 to VRML 2.0 Translator

Flux Studio, White Dune VRML Editor, Chisel VRML Optimizer, VizUp Polygon Reducer, VRMLPad, SwirlX3D Editor, BS Workflow Tools

comp.lang.vrml Group, Web3D Message Boards, X3D and VRML Email Lists

VRMLworks, VRML Browser Detector, Review of VRML/X3D plugins

World Trade Center, 3D Murder Mystery, ISS Simulator, Debian Nagios, Virtual Polyhedra, VRML Chemistry

Most VRML and X3D plugins can be detected in Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, SeaMonkey, Safari, Camino, Konqueror, and other web browsers on any of these operating systems: Windows (Vista, XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98, 95), Linux (Red Hat, Fedora, Suse, Debian, Ubuntu), Mac OS X, or Unix (BSD, Solaris, SunOS, IRIX, AIX, HP-UX)

Plugin help is available for Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Opera

Other plugins are also detected in Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, and Safari

Find links to this web page with Google (title), Google (text), Google (link), and Yahoo

The Internet Archive has older versions of this web page

This software was developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology by employees of the Federal Government in the course of their official duties. Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code this software is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. This software is an experimental system. NIST assumes no responsibility whatsoever for its use by other parties, and makes no guarantees, expressed or implied, about its quality, reliability, or any other characteristic. We would appreciate acknowledgement if the software is used.

This software can be redistributed and/or modified freely provided that any derivative works bear some notice that they are derived from it, and any modified versions bear some notice that they have been modified.

By selecting many of the links above, you will be leaving NIST webspace. We have provided these links to other web sites because they may have information that would be of interest to you. No inferences should be drawn on account of other sites being referenced, or not, from this page. There may be other web sites that are more appropriate for your purpose. NIST does not necessarily endorse the views expressed, or concur with the facts presented on these sites. Further, NIST does not endorse any commercial products that may be mentioned on these sites.

Privacy Statement / Security Notice | Disclaimer | FOIA | Robert Lipman
NIST is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce

Date created: June 15, 1998
Last updated: April 28, 2008 (9 years and counting)