X3D Conformance Testing Factors in Creating Aviable Test Suite

X3D is an ISO standard for real time 3D graphics. It is the successor to the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) The specification is available at the Web3D Consortium web site. The Web3D Consortium sponsors the creation of the X3D ISO standards, and releases these standards to the Internet community free of charge. The Consortium, however, requires that X3D Browsers successfully complete a testing process before a certification of compliance is granted. To enable the Web3D accreditation program to proceed, the first author has led the process of creating the conformance testing suite for the X3D "Interchange" profile for the Web3D Consortium. This paper will focus on: 1. The trials and pitfalls of creating a conformance testing suite for the X3D "Interchange" profile; 2. Verification of the open source X3D Browser (FreeWRL) to verify the test suite and to provide images for the documentation process; 3. "Lessons learned" about standards writing by highlighting both successful techniques and pitfalls/omissions found in the X3D ISO standards.