“The W3D Consortium faced a disappointing setback after a
hoped-for open source contribution of a VRML browser and tools was
withdrawn.
The VRML tools, originally developed by Cosmo Software and
Intervista, were acquired along with those companies by Platinum
Technologies. When Platinum hit the skids this year, the company in
February signed a letter of intent to put its VRML technologies
into open source development in conjunction with the W3D
Consortium.”
“But before Platinum could hand over the keys to its 3D
software, Computer Associates acquired the company, throwing the
open source contribution into limbo before an agreement was
finalized. The W3D Consortium is in the midst of trying to
re-negotiate an open source hand over with Computer Associates,
according to the group’s president, Neil Trevett. … 3D’s open
source limbo was a key disappointment of 1999 for some 3D
technologists.”