Wayland, Mass., December 19, 2006. The Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC) and the Web3D Consortium signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to cooperatively advance standards to support web-based 3D visualization, modeling and simulation.

Mark Reichardt, President of the OGC explained, “The OGC membership, working with ISO TC/211 and other standards groups, has helped to make standards-based interoperable geospatial services a reality on the Web. This agreement will enable OGC and Web3D to work more cooperatively on the development and promotion of standards for improved application of web-based, location enabled 3D visualization, modeling and simulation”.

Among the many benefits that will derive from this collaboration will be improved standards-based, location enabled 3D web services to support urban planning; architecture, engineering and construction; climate prediction, homeland security, emergency management, defense and intelligence, and other capabilities.

Alan Hudson, President of Web 3D, noted that “The OGC and the Web3D Consortium envision the synthesis of 2D maps with content-rich 3D immersive worlds. To that end, we believe the incorporation of interactive, internet based 3D graphics is the next logical step that will benefit users with a richer, more meaningful geospatial experience.”

The OGC is an international industry consortium of more than 335 companies, government agencies, research organizations, and universities participating in a consensus process to develop open interface specifications. OpenGIS® Specifications support interoperable solutions that “geo-enable” the Web, location-based services, and mainstream IT. The specifications empower technology developers to make complex spatial information and services accessible and useful with all kinds of applications. Visit the OGC website at http://www.opengeospatial.org.

The Web3D Consortium is a non-profit, international standards organization that originally spearheaded the development of the VRML 1.0 and 2.0 specifications. Today, the Web3D Consortium is utilizing its broad-based industry support to continue developing the X3D specification, for communicating 3D on the Web, between applications and across distributed networks and web services. Through well-coordinated efforts with the ISO and W3C, and now the OGC, the Web3D Consortium is maintaining and extending its standardization activities. Visit the Web3D Consortium at http://www.web3d.org.