It would surely be nice to have an unlimited budget with a staff of 3D modelers, artists, programmers, and web developers. However, rarely do we inherit a blank cheque in development. An even bigger consideration is that we are applying a new communications medium. Deploying a new technology and user interface must be done smartly. The design must be intuitive and subtle, rather than 3D in your face. Technology should not call attention to itself; rather, it serves the user, making web activities such as searching and shopping easier.
Some wonderful applications have been created using WebGL, such as navigating public transportation systems and luxury cars with reflective surfaces that can be spun 360 degrees. Here, however, the emphasis will be on applying Web3D in building user interfaces with existing assets from common applications; we begin with a 3D shopping cart, as shown in the following screenshot:
