Presenting 3-D models of geological materials on the World Wide Web

In this article, we show how current World Wide Web technology can be used to present computerized 3-D models of geological materials. Unlike traditional, paper-based publishing, World Wide Web documents can incorporate several visualization techniques, some of which allow interactive user control. The concepts behind still images, animations, video sequences, object movies and Virtual reality models are introduced. The advantages and pitfalls of the different visualization techniques are described, and their potential for the communication of 3-D models of geological materials is discussed. Web-resources providing the necessary browsing, playback and interaction software as well as specific authoring tools are referenced. In the HTML version of this article, which can be found on the accompanying CD-ROM, examples of 3-D macro- and microstructure reconstructions of geological materials are included as color images, animated sequences and interactive 3-D models. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.