Object-based image coding for cooperative 3D visualization

This articel presents a new approach to interaction with 3D objects of virtual models in the context of digital libraries, which was developed as part of the author`s ongoing PhD research. Collaborative net- worked environments support users in their work with shared content. One way to provide the visual feedback a user needs to interact with 3D models is to distribute image streams of rendered objects in a client-server-environment, which is described here. Image streams are coded in an object-based way according to the MPEG-4 international standard. As a result, users in a heterogeneous and error-prone network environment can cooperatively visualize complex 3D models. The use of coded video streams for collaborative visualization o ers exible means of user interaction for digital library applications. There- fore, future work should aim at providing a cooperative 3D visual interface for heterogeneous documents in digital library systems