A Framework Enabling Real-time Multi-user Collaborative Workflow in 3D Digital Content Creation Software

This paper reports on a graph-based approach to enable real-time update of 3D shared elements over the networkbetween multiple artists working simultaneously on the same 3D scene. It presents an experimental framework forexploring real-time collaboration in Digital Content Creation such as animation. The framework combines a push-pull network architecture and data translation protocol with hybrid command/data replication mechanisms. Thisenables the synchronization of object components and hierarchy between multiple instances of the same DigitalContent Creation application in a non-destructive way. Conflicts between users are prevented with a strong rightmanagement system. We demonstrate the interest of such an approach by means of an application example inBlender and discuss collaborative experimental sessions outcomes over a Local Area Network and through theInternet