FlashNavigator is a rapid development framework, used for publishing geospatial (GIS and CAD) data with Adobe Flash technology in web, desktop and mobile applications. As their website states - unlike other solutions it provides tiled vector to vector conversion of GIS and CAD files and database formats to Flash. Adobe Flash utilizes a vector file format (SWF) which makes it great for GIS and CAD applications. The format is also optimized in consideration to size, making it great for environments like the Internet.
The movie above provides an insight into the system, while Flash is all well and good we do have a few reservations in terms of its use for all but a basic GIS. Due to the use of vector data Flash can quickly slow down according the amount of data loaded, a mix of vector and prerendered tiles - such as used MapTube - but with a higher level of functionality is perhaps a good half way house.
3D plugins, browsers and languages come and go, Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML) rode a wave of hype only to suffer as a result of being before its time. Viewpoint, our personal favorite of a few years ago, rode a similar wave attracting a strong community of developers before rather foolishly locking them out unless they purchased a license key and now we have Papervision.
Papervision is different, it has potential and may indeed bring to fruition the vision of a 3D Web that went before it in the VRML days. The key to Papervision is its open source nature and its integration with Flash, a plugin that to be honest is no longer a plugin but an essential component of many websites
The movie below showcases Papervision to date:
The engine entered public beta in July 2007 with a number of tutorials and demos emerging online at an ever increasing pace.
The focus on Flash is to be welcomed, perhaps 2008 will be the year of the 3D Web?
