When we are virtual reality (VR) technology maturity curve and "VR when to become mainstream?" This kind of debate made upset, we ignored, low-key WebVR is quietly caught our vision.

Wonder why WebVR appears in more and more news headlines? Think so not only you alone. Only this year, we see Google and Firefox released a number of major announcements, but also witnessed JanusVR such a separate WebVR community for further development.

This is just the beginning, the future development will be faster and faster. WebVR actually started with the concept of virtual reality modeling language (VRML) 23 years ago, although the concept was not successful, but we knew that it actually paved the way for the rapid development of VR networks.

What is WebVR?

WebVR is a JavaScript API that renders 3D graphics in a browser, that is, if you click on a 3D site's browser, you will find that you have entered a 3D space (either on your computer or on Your VRheadsets). In terms of jargon, WebVR is a low entry threshold - you do not have to be familiar with WebGL can be VR development, many novice feel that WebGL is difficult to understand.

WebVR brings a glimmer of hope for VR and AR mainstream because of the ease of use and less resistance.

Although VR can provide high-end experience and hardware, but not all VR need to install "upscale." In fact, in many cases (such as browsing the general page), users prefer the VR experience to be easy to use, rather than show them some cutting-edge graphics technology. After all, only a good experience can drive the general public to accept this immersion technology.

Mozilla (Mozilla) is to create a WebVR leader, it released in 2015 open source framework A-Frame and MozVR.

"We see a lot of companies, regardless of size, put A-Frame as a quick authoring tool and put web publishing as a low-risk content distribution," said Mosley's technical specialist, Dietit Ayala Dietrich Ayala) said, "A-Frame this tool for some content creators to reduce the access threshold, and more easily distributed to everyone."

In addition to A-Frame, other WebVR frameworks include React VR, Argon.js, PlayCanvas, JanusVR and Primrose. Google, Oculus and Samsung Internet have released their own WebVR and open source resources.

Mosla, Google, Samsung, Facebook, Intel, Microsoft and other major technology companies to establish a WebVR community group, and WebVR related standards to develop. Apple also joined the community in July of this year.

"VR is more and more in the ecosystem of the ecosystem, VR is more likely to become a creative and innovative gathering place and flourish," Ayala said, "as most major browsers start using WebVR, and Apple also Showing the interest in this area, the establishment of standard things look very promising.

The browser

In the browser, the browser vendor is developing and enhancing its browser to enable the use of VR technology: the market has appeared Andrews Chrome, Firefox Nightly, Samsung Internet, Microsoft Edge, Chromium, Servo and Oculus Carmel browser The You only need a desktop or mobile phone, plus the network connection can be used to view the VR VR site, or you can not use the head of the 2D view of the VR site.

Mosla recently released a new VR optimization results: the first to face all users support WebVR desktop browser.

Content and education

Due to the lack of VR content, WebVR content creators gathered to create and collaborate. More than one million creators share their 3D models on Sketchfab's 3D / VR art community platform. Virtuleap also organized the first global WebVR hacker marathon.

"In education and heritage, it is very important to develop VR scenarios and experiences for the web," Stone said. "The acquisition of these resources can benefit many people and they do not need to buy expensive advanced computing or human interface hardware."

This popular way completely opens up the possibility of education that will go far beyond what we see today.

"I also think that WebVR as a JavaScript API should allow a large number of future students and young developers to 'practice' and build their collections - not only to demonstrate their ability, but also to show to future employers," "I still remember the hope of the VRML period and SGI's Cosmo and Cortona3D (which is still available now), which is an open and interactive presentation of the open VR experience (on a dedicated platform A more advanced form), became a terrific way of marketing in the late 1990s and 2000.

Create WebVR local VR / AR content

We have seen the "Made with ARKit" demo short video quickly fire over the Internet. Similarly, for WebVR, although the existence of "link traversal", but Mosa's A-Frame can do. Here, you can create separate areas to browse the web, free access to these pages on the phone or desktop network - this does not require application. Best of all, you can stay on the page yourself. This is the 'domain' (or portal) traversal on an open network. If in an application, you often need to leave the application before the restrictions in order to open a new page.

ARKit has changed the way people create possibilities for VR and AR content - making it easier for the public to gain content creation. ARKit allows more creative people to study how to create more VR and AR content for the network.

Just a few weeks ago we also saw hackers attacking ARKit into WebViews.

There are a number of other tests on the web about AR: the Arium.js integrated into A-Frame, the Chromium extension mechanism that works on Tango (now called ARCore) devices, and AR.js.

Google announced this week that ARCore is another exciting WebVR development project.

"By the end of this year, all major global handset brands will announce that they support WebVR and release support equipment in the fourth quarter of 2017 or the first quarter of 2018," said XR Industry Advisor and Angel Investor Christopher Gomez "If ARKit and ARCore can be combined, we will have a new platform and ideas, and immersive technology will become a real world that belongs to everyone, and the 'virtual world' is real."

The test is the key

VR current development stage needs to be tested, the community's creativity is huge. If you are a Unity developer, you can seamlessly integrate and adapt to WebVR development.

"I like Unity's work, there are a lot of help and guidance on the line, and once you have any difficulties in searching for a problem, you will get the answer right away." Samsung Internet developer Uve Avanto, "The popular WebVR framework A-Frame also has object-like components and good file information similar to Unity, so most Unity developers can quickly transition and master everything if they want to try it."

Unity as an integrated development environment (IDE) and graphics engine, is a multi-purpose tool, you can quickly create different types of experience. Developers can compile or export resources to a variety of native platforms or network platforms.

"WebVR support for WebVR is now integrated into Unity WebGL in Unity, and the Unity project can be run without change," said the developer of Samsung Internet. "The engine is available in WebVR browsing It is only a matter of time to create a VR experience.