Pre-GDC: Stonetrip Launches Java-Compatible ShiVa 3D Web Player

3D development tools maker Stonetrip revealed a new version of its ShiVa 3D web player, which the company says is immediately compatible with more than 80 percent of computers worldwide and requires minimal fuss to run. Stonetrip points out that the plug-in installation process has made it difficult for end users to view 3D web-based applications without having to deal with a number of obstacles, including complex file downloads, installation procedures, browser restarts, certificate acceptance, and more. With the ShiVa 3D web player, users on 80 percent of computers worldwide will only need to accept a signed Java certificate on their browser and wait a few seconds to view 3D content. The company says its solution doesn't require files to download, installations, browser restarts, page refreshes, or admin rights. Thanks to Java ad Microsoft per-user Active X installation, the player is compatible with Window 2000 to Windows 7 systems running browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera, or Chrome. Mac OSX users, from Tiger to Snow Leopard, as well as various Linux systems, can use the player with Firefox. "Plug-ins for 3D content are a major challenge for companies looking to deliver immersive, interactive experiences on the web," says Stonetrip CEO Philip Belhassen. "Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for developers to create for the web, while eliminating the barriers for consumers. The result is our new 3D Web Player which features an incredibly fast install which alleviates the issues other 3D players encounter."