In this thesis, we describe the design and implementation of a networked virtual environment system based on VRML.
The VRML has powerful functions for building the web based virtual environment and working collaboratively by multi-users in a shared virtual environment.
Basically, our system has the client/server architecture. The server side consist of multiple modules i.e. virtual world manager, user manager, avatar manager, TTS(Text To Speech) manager etc. using the Java language which is featured by platform independence.
On the client side, we used the VRML plug-in with conventional web browsers for display of virtual space and EAI(External Authoring Interface)/MUTech (MUlti-user Technology) for control of multi-user environment.
In addition, we developed facial expressions, gestures and body motions with avatar animation. Therefore our system provides a effective non-verbal communication channel as well as verbal communication channel with chatting and TTS supports.
We will discuss design and implementation issues of the networked virtual environment and the pros. and cons. about our system AIMNET.