Hints and Tips

This page lists some hints and tips related to using the RadVis software effectively.

Usage Tips

To quickly open projects and VRML/X3D models, you can simply drag and drop them on the 3D view.

You can use RadVis to visualise data created by sources other than DESIRE. See the file format description in the RadVis Software User Manual for details.

The default distribution includes three VRML representations of the ESA Columbus module. In addition to the default representation, there is a wireframe and primitive representation in the data/iss directory. The default representation is based on CAD data supplied by ESA. The interior will be enhanced in future using photographs of the interior of the Columbus module on display at Noordwijk Space Expo at ESTEC.

Modelling Tips

RadVis supports 3D geometry files in the ISO VRML97 and X3D formats.

We recommend that VRML files exported from 3D modelling systems such as 3D Studio Max be cleaned up using the Chisel software tool. This will often improve the speed of loading models by stripping out unnecessary information in the VRML files. Chisel can also be used for polygon reduction.

Additional information with hints and tips about producing VRML/X3D files will be provided on this site in future.

For now, please refer to the Web3D Consortium website for information about these file formats.

Installation Tips

On laptop computers with limited 3D capabilities and on older PCs running windows, you might consider installing the DirectX version of Java 3D, replacing the default OpenGL version bundled with RadVis. See the FAQ for details.