If you're just getting started with VRML, start out with simple goals and projects. If you want to get frustrated start out with something complex!

For most people, working with VRML is like working in a new medium. None of us are experts yet in the nuances of networked 3D.

Start with baby steps

Make a simple mockup using VRML primitives, or inlining objects from the Web as temporary placeholders. Or generate a starting world with an easy-to-use VRML authoring tool, such as IDS's V-realm.

That's the way your world begins...

Low Polys

Is your world slow? Does life seem to happen at half speed? You may have more polygons in your world than you need. Objects described in VRML worlds are turned into polygons, in particular triangles, that the rendering engine underneath the VRML browser turns into pixels for your screen.

Michael Gough from Construct has created neat examples of how architectural constructs don't need to have as many polygons in VRML as they do in real life. Pascal Baudar from Cybertown has a great world where tables don't have legs -- and yet they still look and feel like tables!

If your world is slow, you'll want to start learning about how many polygons make up the objects in the world. Or go to experts such as Michael, Pascal, Barry Fox and C. Scott Young.

True Leadership

Leadership is not just a matter of being in front. It's also a matter of giving credit to people. You can tell who's a leader by who they thank for their success. Nobody succeeds alone.

That's one of the exciting things about the team that put together Lisa, the Best Overall Avatar award winner. The folks in the sphere of Web Design Group and their collaborators are a positive bunch, always eager to thank people.

And on that note...

I'd like to thank several people who've helped in the success of VRMLSite magazine. First, let me thank you for reading VRMLSite. I appreciate the time you are taking to visit VRMLSite, and would love to hear any suggestions you have. Please send me e-mail at adrian@aereal.com.

Many thanks to Dick O'Donnell, Timothy Childs (of Curve), and Annette Stransky of Superscape for making VRMLSite possible through their first sponsorship. I'd also like to thank and welcome the folks at Integrated Data Systems, including Merilee Kern, Mike Hilgenberg and Robert Saint John for their support. In addition thanks to the folks at Ziff-Davis and DirectMedia, including Eric Zilling and Debbie Caldararo, our newest advertisers.

Let me thank John Gluck, the founding editor of VRMLSite Magazine, for his dedication, cheerfulness, and zeal (not to mention the free Spanish lessons). And Paul Gluck, VRMLSite's new Art Director, for working with John on our new style and navigation. (Oh, and Andrea Kasler, John's wife, for her patience!) Dennis McKenzie is the creator of the awesome VRML navigation we started out with, and he's a man of many talents -- you may have read his article in the last issue on the Live3D SpinGroup extension with lots of examples.

VRMLSite wouldn't be VRMLSite without the gifted writers who grace our pages. Jeff Sonstein manages to make difficult concepts easy, and also manages to show up at VRMLSite parties right at the start!:). Sue Wilcox always has the latest scoop on who's talking with whom, and she's also a great cook! Robert Saint John always manages to turn a great article in while he's in the midst of a million other things. Cindy Reed is the expert on VRML textures, amongst many other talents. Chris Blohm is full of neat ideas, and also spins a cool set (D.J.-ing).

Thanks to Karen Marcelo for helping us scan in the photos that grace our cover and pages! And thanks to Tongsue Ly for helping us get started in the beginning. Thanks also to the folks I've worked with at Goldberg Moser O'Neill Advertising, including Tanya Stringham, Brian Quennell, Kristen Lyons, and Alaina Smith, for all I've learned from them.

Thanks also to my parents, Ken and Christine, for their support and encouragement and guidance. I'd also like to thank everyone I worked and played with at The Rensselaer Polytechnic, the college newspaper that got me started in all this.