Developing the VRML 97 international standard

VRML 97 (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) arose from a cooperative effort between the standards and VRML communities. The methodology employed applies equally well to development of future standards. The processing of VRML marked many firsts for the development of international standards, including the completion of a project from start to finish in record time (less than 18 months) and the first international standard published in HTML. The cooperative work of SC 24 and the VRML Consortium shows how an industry specification can be processed into an international standard through a normal standards development process without unnecessary delay or needless technical change. It also illustrates the substantial value that the technical experts experienced in developing international standards can add to a specification. In terms of increased clarity and precision, this value will have lasting benefits