A Framework for Interactive Hardware Accelerated Remote 3D-Visualization

In this paper we present a framework that provides remote control to Open Inventor or Cosmo3D based visualization applications. A visualization server distributes a visualization session to Java based clients by transmitting compressed images from the server frame buffer. Visualization parameters and GUI events from the clients are applied to the server application by sending CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) requests. The framework provides transparent access to remote visualization capabilities and allows sharing of expensive resources. Additionally the framework opens new possibilities for collaborative work and distance education. We present a teleradiology system and an automotive development application which make use of the proposed techniques.