Difference between X3D and X3DV files

Question

I'm wondering what's the difference between an X3D file and an X3DV file.

I'm creating an application in Java that loads and displays an X3DV file called test.x3dv and I have multiple X3D models that I want to be loaded and I'm using Xj3D.

However, it only want's to load X3DV models. So I was wondering what the differences are, so that I can change the X3D files I have round to be X3DV files.

Answer 1

.x3d is the extension for the XML Encoding of X3D whereas .x3dv is the extension for the Classic Encoding of X3D (which is pretty much like VRML).

They both describe X3D scenegraphs, so yes, you can use whichever encoding is more convenient for you.

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For example, here's a Shape in X3D (XML Encoding):

<Shape>
    <Appearance>
        <Material diffuseColor='0 1 0'>
        </Material>
    </Appearance>
    <Box>
    </Box>
</Shape>

And the same shape in X3D (Classic Encoding):

Shape {
    appearance Appearance {
        material Material {
            diffuseColor 0 1 0
        }
    }
    geometry Box {}
}