Abstract
This thesis addresses both theory and implementation issues in realizing animated characters in networked virtual environments. Since web platform is our major concern, all discusses are based on VRML standard.In order to increase the animators’ productivity, we proposed a novel motion model based on humanoid standard - H|Anim. Examples are given to demonstrate that our motion model is not only feasible but also effective in handling high level motions.Besides, we propose the ideas of Humanoid Puppeteer and Mind Logic and code them into two software engines for high level motion control. For coding efficiency, several new VRML nodes are proposed and one VRML syntax rule is added.Finally we integrate networks module, input/output control module, scene management module, chat room module, and web connection module to form a networked virtual reality system. In our implementation the algorithms such as dead reckoning, spatial partition, and area of interest are employed to improve the system performance.