A 3 dimensional world refers to a space that has three dimensions – width, height and depth. Unlike a 2D or two dimensional world which only has two dimensions – width and height, a 3D world adds the dimension of depth, allowing for objects to be rendered and perceived with volume. This added dimension allows for much more complex and realistic representations and experiences.
Some key aspects of a 3 dimensional world:
Three Dimensions
As mentioned, the core aspect is the presence of 3 dimensions – width, height and depth. This added depth dimension allows for objects to be rendered and perceived as having volume, unlike 2D worlds where objects are flat. The depth dimension adds perspective and realism.
Computer Graphics
3D computer graphics are used to create and render the 3D environments and objects. This involves techniques like 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, shading etc. Powerful 3D engines and tools are required to render complex 3D worlds in real-time. Popular engines include Unity, Unreal Engine, CryEngine etc.
Realism
The added depth dimension results in much more realistic representations and experiences. Objects behave and interact in a more natural way, with effects like occlusion, perspective, parallax etc. This level of realism was not possible in 2D worlds.
Immersion
3D worlds are highly immersive due to their realism and from a first person perspective. This creates an illusion of presence in the 3D environment resulting in highly engaging experiences. The level of immersion also depends on the quality of graphics and interactivity.
Interactivity
3D worlds allow for a high level of interactivity with the environment and objects. The player or user can navigate freely and manipulate objects in real-time. This interactivity combined with realism results in very engaging experiences.
History
While 3D worlds seem very modern due to recent advancements in technology, the origins go back decades:
Early graphics
Primitive 3D computer graphics emerged in the 1950s and 60s for applications like flight simulators. These involved simple wireframe models without shading or texturing. Graphics were very basic due to technology limitations.
1970s – 1990s
With improving technology, richer 3D graphics and games started emerging in the 1970s and 80s. Notable examples include Battlezone (tank simulator), Elite (space trading game) etc. But due to limitations, many games used 2D graphics with some 3D effects.
True 3D games started emerging in the 1990s with games like Doom, Quake, Mario 64 etc. These used techniques like texture mapping, Gouraud shading and 3D polygons to create immersive 3D worlds.
2000s – Present
In the 2000s, programmable GPUs and shaders allowed for much more advanced real-time graphics, lighting and textures. This enabled very realistic and detailed 3D worlds and characters in games and films.
Modern games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and films like Avatar showcase the current state of the art in 3D graphics and worlds. Future advancements in VR/AR will further enhance realism and immersion.
Types of 3D Worlds
There are many types of virtual 3D worlds that are created for different mediums and purposes:
3D Games
3D computer/video games are a popular application of 3D worlds. The gaming industry relies heavily on 3D technology for creating engaging virtual worlds for different game genres like FPS, RPGs, racing games etc.
Simulations
Accurate 3D simulations are created for applications like flight/driving simulators, medical procedures, architecture walkthroughs etc. These simulations recreate realistic environments.
Animation/CGI Films
3D animation and computer generated imagery (CGI) are used to create stunning 3D environments and characters in modern animated and visual effects films. Entire virtual worlds are created.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality (VR) headsets allow users to be fully immersed in a 3D virtual world by tracking their movements and perspective. VR worlds aim for maximum realism and presence.
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) overlays interactive 3D graphics on the real world via smartphones and AR headsets. So both artificial and real world objects co-exist.
Metaverse Worlds
A metaverse is a hypothetical persistent virtual shared world. Metaverse worlds like those envisioned for the Oculus Rift aim to be highly realistic and immersive social environments.
Non-gaming Virtual Worlds
There are non-gaming virtual worlds like Second Life that emulate real life with avatars, economies, building tools and social interaction. Users can explore these worlds.
Technology
Modern 3D worlds are powered by a lot of rendering technology and tools:
3D Game Engines
Game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine provide the software framework and tools for creating detailed 3D environments and assets. They handle rendering, physics, animation, lighting, audio etc.
3D Modeling Software
Artist use 3D modeling packages like Maya, Blender and 3DS Max to create the environmental assets like terrain, buildings, props and characters that populate the 3D game world.
Textures and Materials
Textures are image maps that provide color and details for 3D models to create realistic materials like wood, metal, skin etc. Procedural materials are also used to generate textures.
Real-time Rendering
The 3D game engine renders the world in real-time, as the player moves around interacting with the environment. Specialized graphics APIs like Vulkan and DirectX 12 are used.
Shaders and Lighting
Shaders perform techniques like shadowing, ambient occlusion, LODs etc to light the 3D world realistically using methods like ray tracing. Dynamic lighting brings the world to life.
Physics Simulation
A physics engine simulates gravity, mass, collisions and other physics to make environmental objects behave realistically. Things like cloth, water and particles are simulated.
Motion Capture
Motion capture technology converts real life actor movements into 3D character animations to achieve very realistic movements, facial expressions and lip sync for 3D game characters and film CGI.
| Technology | Description |
|---|---|
| 3D Game Engines | Provide software framework for creating 3D worlds like Unity and Unreal |
| 3D Modeling | Used to model environmental assets and characters eg. Maya |
| Textures & Materials | Add realistic details like wood, metal for 3D models |
| Real-time Rendering | Graphics APIs render the 3D world in real-time |
| Shaders & Lighting | Add realistic lighting and effects using ray tracing etc |
| Physics Simulation | Simulates real world physics for objects in the world |
| Motion Capture | Converts real movements into 3D animations |
Applications
Some major applications and use cases for 3 dimensional worlds:
Gaming
One of the biggest application areas is gaming. 3D worlds drive immersive AAA game experiences across genres from adventure to FPS and RPGs. Engaging stories are told through these worlds.
Simulation
High fidelity 3D simulations are created for industrial and educational purposes. Training simulations for surgery, aerospace, combat and more leverage realistic 3D worlds.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality aims to immerse users in believable 3D worlds by tracking their head movements and perspective. VR worlds can be explored and interacted with for gaming, social and training applications.
Augmented Reality
AR overlays 3D graphics on the real world through smartphones and AR headsets. This allows for experiences like holographic characters that interact and blend with the environment.
Films
3D computer graphics revolutionized Hollywood films through digital special effects. Entire 3D environments along with characters are constructed digitally as seen in Avatar and Lord of the Rings style epics.
Virtual Production
3D worlds are now being used in virtual production where films are shot within game engine powered LED stages representing virtual locations instead of physical sets.
Metaverse
The hypothetical idea of the metaverse proposes persistent virtual shared worlds. A mix of VR and AR would be used to create an immersive 3D version of the internet.
Benefits
Some major benefits of 3D worlds:
Realism
The added depth dimension results in vastly increased realism and immersion compared to 2D experiences. This presence is heightened in VR.
Creative Freedom
3D worlds allow creators to build anything they can imagine. There are no physical limitations like with sets and filming locations.
Interactivity
Users can freely navigate and interact with 3D game worlds, creating unique experiences. There is no linear restriction imposed by traditional media.
Engagement
The interactivity and realism offered by 3D worlds results in highly engaging experiences and emotional connections for users.
Training
3D simulations provide very effective training across fields like medicine, engineering, military etc. Dangerous real world scenarios can be replicated safely.
Previsualization
3D previsualization allows filmmakers to block shots and design sets digitally before production. This reduces costs and saves time.
Challenges
Some key challenges involved with 3D worlds:
Technical Complexity
Building and rendering detailed 3D worlds in real-time requires huge technical expertise and specialized tools and workflows. Powerful hardware is needed.
High Costs
The talent, tools, hardware and time required for high quality 3D work results in very high costs of creation. Only big budget productions can afford photorealism.
Asset Creation
Crafting highly detailed 3D environmental assets and characters is very labor intensive and time consuming. Teams of artists are required.
Rendering Performance
Even with today’s GPU power, rendering high fidelity worlds at high frame rates for VR remains very challenging. A lot of optimization is required.
Uncanny Valley
As graphics improve, there is danger of entering the uncanny valley where near photoreal faces and characters can look creepy and fake.
Motion Sickness
Issues like latency and inaccuracies in tracking can cause virtual reality motion sickness symptoms for some users due to the disconnect between visual motion and vestibular sense.
The Future
Some exciting areas the future of 3D worlds could bring:
Photorealism
With ray tracing and generative methods like AI, real-time graphics will achieve cinema quality photorealism. Distinguishing reality from simulation will become impossible.
VR/AR Adoption
As VR/AR headsets improve in quality, comfort and pricing, they could see mass consumer adoption. 3D virtual worlds would play a big role in consumer metaverse experiences.
User-Generated Content
Intuitive creation tools could enable users to easily build personalized 3D worlds and assets. User generated 3D VR environments may emerge.
Artificial Intelligence
AI will assist in the rapid generation of 3D assets and environments. It may also enable next-gen virtual characters with intelligent, adaptive behaviors.
Virtual Actors
As human face and body capture reaches perfection, virtual actors with computer generated faces may become commonplace and replace human actors in productions.
Mixed Reality
A mix of physical and virtual may lead to augmented virtuality experiences that seamlessly blend real world elements into virtual worlds, leveraging the strengths of both.
Conclusion
3 dimensional worlds have evolved tremendously from their early roots to become highly realistic and immersive experiences today. 3D technology drives key innovations and applications across gaming, simulation, VR and visual effects. Ongoing improvements in areas like real-time ray tracing, AI assistance and haptics will further enhance fidelity and immersion. In the future, the line between real and virtual may disappear, especially with visions like the metaverse. But technical challenges remain to be solved before such visions can be fully realized. Still, 3D worlds look set to play an even greater role as interactive mediums for work, social experiences, training simulations and of course entertainment applications like games and films.
