Killer Game Programming in Java

Chapter 14. Introducing Java 3D

The next 15 chapters will be about programming 3D games using Java 3D, Java's scene graph API. A scene graph makes 3D programming easier for novices (and for experienced programmers) because it emphasizes scene design, rather than rendering, by hiding the graphics pipeline. The scene graph supports complex graphical elements such as 3D geometries, lighting modes, picking, and collision detection. Java 3D is a scene graph API.

I'll summarize the main elements of Java 3D in this chapter, leaving program examples aside for the moment. Then, as in Chapter 1, I'll examine Java 3D's suitability for games programming by considering the criticisms leveled against it.

Java 3D

The Java 3D API provides a collection of high-level constructs for creating, rendering, and manipulating a 3D scene graph composed of geometry, materials, lights, sounds, and more. Java 3D was developed by Sun Microsystems, and the most recent stable release is Version 1.3.1.

Tip

There is a Version 1.3.2, but it's a bug fix release under review as I write this in December 2004. For example, a rarely occurring bug with the J3DTimer class has been fixed.

By the time you read this, Version 1.3.2 will have been finalized (an FCS release will be available).

There are two Java 3D variants: one implemented on top of OpenGL, and the other above DirectX Graphics. OpenGL is a popular software API for writing 3D (and 2D) graphics applications across a wide range of hardware and operating systems (http://www.opengl.org/ ...