Display of an inline 3D model

[zachernuk]

What problem are you trying to solve?

We want to display 3D assets directly in a web page in a privacy-preserving, spatial manner that allows for the integration of potentially sensitive input streams like the user's inter-pupillary distance, head movement, ambient lighting etc - without divulging that information to the Javascript context.

What solutions exist today?

WebGL and WebGPU allow for the real-time, in-line presentation of 3D objects - but exist as a 2D image on the page, and do not respond to the user's head position.

The WebXR API allows for immersive Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) display of content, but by deferring all rendering responsibility to WebGL, it requires the Javascript context to have awareness of all the necessary information.

For privacy and security reasons, it's also not possible to integrate WebXR content with traditional DOM content, meaning that WebXR-based spatial experiences must provide all other interaction and GUI elements themselves.

In both instances, the author-facing complexity of using a Javascript-based renderer that must be downloaded additionally - and represent significant overhead for a now-consistent and simple set of needs.

How would you solve it?

To create a new <model> element that allows the asset to be rendered outside of the Javascript context, and establish a reasonable initial API to meet basic use cases. We have been developing a proposal within the W3C Immersive Web Community Group to produce a model explainer, and an explanatory demo of the desired goal.

Anything else?

Establishing a new element for this approach to display is a high priority for platforms with spatial display capabilities such as a headset or other stereoscopic device, but provides significant benefits to web platform consistency on non-spatial devices as well. A consistent, browser-managed rendering strategy will result in smaller website transfers, greater consistency of display, accessibility and manipulation.