VRML Plugin and Browser Detector

JavaScript and/or ActiveX must be enabled in the web browser for VRML Plugin and Browser Detector to work.

In Internet Explorer, try the following:

Go to Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > scroll down to Security and select "Allow active content to run in files on My Computer"
Go to Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level > Active Scripting > Enable > OK
Go to Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level > Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins > Enable > OK

Some computers have Internet Explorer security restrictions such that the user will always be prompted, when a VRML file is displayed, that there are restrictions on running scripts or ActiveX controls. Changing the settings above might not work or are disabled. To view a VRML file, the blocked content must be allowed by clicking on the security popup above and selecting Allow Blocked Content.

In Firefox, go to Tools > Options > Content > check "Enable JavaScript" > OK

In Opera, go to Tools > Preferences > Advanced > Content > check "Enable JavaScript" > OK

In Safari, go to Edit > Preferences > Security > check "Enable JavaScript"

If a VRML plugin is installed, then try displaying the VRML model.

VRML Plugins

Software	Type	OS			Browser		X3D
Software	Type	Win	Linux	Mac	IE	Firefox	X3D
Cosmo Player	P	X			X	X
Octaga Player *	P,S	X	X	X	X	X	X
Cortona3D Viewer *	P	X			X	X
BS Contact *	P,S	X	X		X	X	X
FreeWRL	P,S,T		X	X		X	X
OpenVRML	P,S,T	X	X	X		X	X
InstantPlayer	S	X	X	X			X
SwirlX3D	P,S	X					X
Xj3D	S,T	X	X	X			X

Types: P-plugin, S-standalone program, T-toolkit (* - Purchasing a license removes the product logo) Disclaimer: NIST does not review of any of the plugins and software, nor does their mention on these web pages imply a recommendation or endorsement.

VRML is the Virtual Reality Modeling Language, a standard file format to display 3D models on the web. The most common way to display, show, browse, play, or view VRML files, models, or worlds (.wrl file extension) is with a VRML plugin, also known as a browser, player, viewer, reader, add-on, client, toolkit, program, software, or ActiveX control. You must download and install the VRML plugin in Internet Explorer, Firefox, or other browser. Some of the VRML plugins can also display X3D files. The current version of VRML is referred to as VRML 2.0 or VRML97.

Windows: Cosmo Player, Octaga Player *, Cortona3D Viewer *, BS Contact *, SwirlX3D, OpenVRML, more
Linux: Octaga Player, BS Contact, FreeWRL, OpenVRML
Mac: Octaga Player, FreeWRL, OpenVRML
VRML examples: Structural Steel, User-Controlled Construction Equipment, Virtual Cybernetic Building Testbed

X3D Plugins

X3D is an open standards file format and run-time architecture to represent and communicate 3D scenes and objects using XML. It can be thought of as the next generation of VRML. X3D files can be displayed with an X3D plugin, program, or toolkit. Most of the X3D plugins also display VRML files.

Plugins and software: Octaga Player *, BS Contact *, InstantPlayer, SwirlX3D, FreeWRL, OpenVRML, Xj3D, more
X3D examples: nistlogo.x3d, nistlogo.x3dz (gzipped), nistlogo.x3dv (Classic VRML), Structural Steel, more

VRML and X3D Standalone Programs, Toolkits, and Applets
VRML and X3D files can also be displayed without a plugin with the following standalone programs, toolkits and applets. InstantPlayer (Multi-platform), Octaga Player (Windows, Linux), BS Contact (Windows), SwirlX3D (Windows), FreeWRL (Linux, Mac), OpenVRML (Linux, Mac, toolkit) Adobe Acrobat Pro Extended and Adobe 3D Reviewer (Windows), Deep View (Windows), Myriad 3D Reader (Windows) Xj3D (Multi-platform, toolkit), view3dscene (Multi-platform), Orbisnap (Multi-platform), Demotride (Windows), Alteros 3D (Windows), Heilan X3D Browser (Windows, Linux, toolkit) Java 3D VRML Loader (Toolkit), CyberX3D (Toolkit), X3D Tool Kit (Toolkit), Open ActiveWrl (Toolkit), SimVRML (Mac) BS Contact Mobile (Windows Mobile), Pocket Cortona (PDA), MobiX3D (PDA), BS Contact J (Applet) Other/older: Vivaty Player (formerly Flux Player), ExitReality, Google O3D Plugin, VRMLView, Pivoron Player, RTI 3D Model Viewer, OpenWorlds, 3D-Online, xVRML, blaxxun Contact, Vcom3D Venues, WorldView, GLView
VRML and X3D Links	Detector Information
Web3D Consortium, VRML Wikipedia, VRML Archives, X3D Wikipedia, MacWeb3D, Web3D 2009 VRML Reference Manual, X3D and VRML Resources, VRML Sourcebook, VRML Primer and Tutorials, Introduction to VRML VRML to X3D Translator, Collada to VRML/X3D Translator, VRML 1.0 to 2.0 Translator White Dune VRML Editor, Chisel VRML Optimizer, VRMLPad, SwirlX3D Editor, Vivaty Studio comp.lang.vrml Newsgroup, Web3D Discussion Forum, X3D and VRML Email Lists World Trade Center, Large Hadron Collider, Mars Pathfinder, Digital Library of Mathematical Functions, ISS Simulator, Printer Gamuts, Debian Nagios, Virtual Polyhedra, 3D Murder Mystery, VRML Browser Detector, Review of VRML/X3D plugins, 3D Page of the Week	Most VRML and X3D plugins can be detected in Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari, Google Chrome, and other web browsers on any of these operating systems: Windows (7, Vista, XP, 2000, 98), Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Red Hat, Suse), Mac OS X, or Unix (FreeBSD, Solaris) Find links to this web page with Google (title), Google (text), Google (link), and Yahoo The Internet Archive has older versions of this web page The original URL for the detector is: http://cic.nist.gov/vrml/vbdetect.html

This software was developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology by employees of the Federal Government in the course of their official duties. Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code this software is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. This software is an experimental system. NIST assumes no responsibility whatsoever for its use by other parties, and makes no guarantees, expressed or implied, about its quality, reliability, or any other characteristic. We would appreciate acknowledgement if the software is used.

This software can be redistributed and/or modified freely provided that any derivative works bear some notice that they are derived from it, and any modified versions bear some notice that they have been modified.

By selecting many of the links above, you will be leaving NIST webspace. We have provided these links to other web sites because they may have information that would be of interest to you. No inferences should be drawn on account of other sites being referenced, or not, from this page. There may be other web sites that are more appropriate for your purpose. NIST does not necessarily endorse the views expressed, or concur with the facts presented on these sites. Further, NIST does not endorse any commercial products that may be mentioned on these sites.

Date created: June 15, 1998
Last updated: August 18, 2009 (11+ years)