At the 2007 DEMOfall conference, which runs September 24-26 in San Diego, Web commerce and media solutions company View22 Technology unveiled a new "3D Web community" to allow users to create, share and explore interactive 3D scenes in their browser. It's called SceneCaster, and it aims to connect online worlds with internet commerce and social networking.

At the time of this article's publication there are few details available as to how, exactly, SceneCaster works; the website features a beta countdown and a "coming soon" screen. According to the press release, though, SceneCaster allows users to create, share and discuss their own 3D scenes or to transform existing 3D scenes using a simple drag-and-drop interface. Integrating with Google's 3D Warehouse and providing access to that content catalog, it aims to enable userrs to search for, collect and customize content for their own scenes.

"SceneCaster is one tool in the 3D Internet landscape that helps make immersive, social media accessible to everyone," said Sandy Kearney, global director, Emerging 3-D Internet and Virtual Business at IBM. "By providing an easy-to-use environment and a wide range of content, SceneCaster offers an exciting marketing opportunity for virtual environments."

A number of firms joined SceneCaster at DEMOfall 07 as launch partners, including Akamai, e-interiors, iStockphoto, Kohler, Oddcast, SmartFurniture, Wolfgang’s Vault and ZeroFootprint. Smart Furniture president T.J. Gentle said that SceneCaster can help his customers create virtual versions of their interior spaces to better visualize how SmartFurniture's products can fit into their design scheme, while allowing friends and family to collaborate. SceneCaster promises more partners and sponsors to be announced following its US debut.