In recent years, computer graphics has evolved into the major disciplines of computer animation, image processing, visualization, and virtual reality. Today these technologies are converging into one seamless digital medium resulting in various tools that will transform the way we will work in the next century.

Virtual Worlds on the Internet examines how the latest developments in virtual environments, computer animation, communication networks, and the Internet are being configured to create revolutionary tools and systems.

Vince and Earnshaw include twenty papers that will influence computer systems of the twenty-first century. Topics include:

• a toolkit for the development of virtual environment applications fort education and research
• behavior descriptions used in expansive virtual environments
• different uses of VRML in information system interfaces
• an examination of research in virtual reality environment interfaces
• five approaches to supporting changes in virtual environments
• the transmission of vector graphics and animations over narrow-band transmission channels
• an exploration of an implicit modeling system including an interactive editor for building models
• a description of the advantages of 3D environments for shopping applications on the Internet
• the prototype of a software tool that automatically generates 3D models of virtual supermarkets
• a "VR workbench" that displays strategic information viewable by a user group
• an overview of a VR display system describing its workbench technology and its applications
• how to separate the functionality of a multi-user 3D modeling system into functional tools with interface specifications