3D (VRML) Interface to IRCAM's Multimedia Library Catalog

[elist-web4lib at ircam.fr]

        http://mediatheque.ircam.fr/infos/vrml/index-e.html

The public space of our Multimedia Library has been completely modelled
in 3D (using VRML 2.0), showing all the stacks, cabinets, terminals, etc.

With the help of a browser and an adequate freely-available plugin (see
below), one can "stroll" through the reading hall, and find the contents
of the shelves and cabinets by clicking on them: each one is linked to
the appropriate part of the online catalog. This in turn will show the
documents that are stored in that part of the room, and provide access
to the individual bibliographical records (and related databases).

What is needed:

- a recent browser: this has been tested with Microsoft's Internet Explorer
  (version >= 4) and Netscape (>= 4) on a PC (it may also work on Macintoshes,
  SGI and other platforms, depending on the plugin).
- a plugin for VRML (the above URL provides a link to the Cosmo plugin).
- a relatively powerful machine: all computations are done on the client's
  platform, so if it's slow, it's not the fault of the Internet, this time.

Happy virtual visit,

Michael Fingerhut
Director, Multimedia Library
IRCAM - Centre Georges-Pompidou
Paris (France)