If you ever wanted to create 3d apps or 3d games, add didn't knew where to start, you will be happy to know that you can do that and a lot more with Java 3D.
Java 3D API is an extenstion to the JDK, you can find info about downloading the API & it's documents , and a lot of Tutorials to get started at http://www.j3d.org .
Or check the sun's site at http://java.sun.com.

if you want to ask me a question just email me! ;D

check out www.anfyteam.com , they've got some kcoo 3d java stuff

can this be integrated into VRML worlds or are they 2 different animals? ???

It can be integrated with VRML. Check out these resources:

http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/vrmljava3d/
http://www.robotic.dlr.de/Joerg.Vogel/Vrml/Rotex/index.html

Check out this demo:
http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/games_with_java3d.html

u r THE MAN!!! very kewl sites - thanx!!! ;D

Yeap, it's cool, although VRML is no longer supported by popular browsers by default. A shame the popularity is low considering what you can do with it.

unfortunately i havent played w/VRML for over a year - think i used to use COSMO viewer or some such; personally i think VRML was about 10+yrs ahead of its time - from what little futzin around w/it i did it seemed like its most suited to broadband connections - something that was exactly a catchphrase of the late eighties/early 90's!!!! i'm still looking forward to getting into it - but its about the 15th or 20th item on my list of technologies to pickup, so.......

I agree with you on being ahead of its time. The web has become such a place for business and quick information that there's hardly any room for something like VRML. Because Flash and Java are already a popular technology they tend to go with those instead.

well considering how long it takes a really nicely done Flashy site takes to load from 56k vs broadband, i think that an equally well done VRML site would have comparable download times - as such having VRML amongst 1s bag-o-tricks might just give a competive edge in landing a piece of work given the right circumstances. 4 now it may well be dead, but if its still relatively easy to view through a browser(plugin) then for me i think its still a worthwhile tek to learn - but theres just soooo many minutes in a day...

I think if there was more hype on it, it would become more popular. Maybe if Microsoft and AOL advertised it, and supported it, and made T-shirts, then I'm sure it would pick up. I would have to learn more of it of course, as I usually tend to get into what's hot in today's world... and maybe even buy a T-shirt...