(July 26. 2002) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. brings new features and functionality to its popular Java 3D™ API graphics technology with the debut of Java 3D version 1.3. With this latest release, which follows the widespread adoption of this 3D graphics technology with nearly a half million downloads to date, Sun addresses the needs of its developer community, providing both configured universe and depth-sorted transparency capabilities, in addition to advanced texture mapping and performance improvements.

The Java 3D API is a network-centric, scene graph-based API, which enables developers to easily incorporate high-quality, scalable, platform-independent 3D graphics into Java technology-based applications and applets. With the Java 3D API, version 1.3 developers now have the power to create applications that can run seamlessly in a variety of display environments, without code modification. Additionally, the new version helps users speed application development through faster application response and a reduction in memory consumption ranging from 10 to 60 percent.

Java 3D graphics technology not only benefits developers in scientific visualization, but also animation, Web site design, simulations, virtual world construction, training, games, and design automation. For more information, see www.sun.com.