It's not too shocking what 3D programmers want to do on the Web these days. Most of them say a good 3D platform on the Web is way overdue.

So when San Francisco-based Macromedia and Intel announced in July that they were working on enhancing the Shockwave Player for 3D applications, companies like NxView Technologies, SoftImage and Alias/Wavefront took note.

Macromedia announced Monday the addition of more 3D-based companies that are ready to support a 3D enhanced Shockwave. They are MAXON, NewTek and Right Hemisphere.

MAXON's CINEMA 4D is an application for creating 3D content for TV, film, advertising and the Internet. NewTek creates 3D content that can be used for feature films. Right Hemisphere develops Deep Paint 3D and Texture Weapons, which are texturing tools for users of 3D Studio MAX, Maya, SoftImage and Lightwave.

Macromedia says the Intel 3D Graphics-enhanced Shockwave Player will bring the next generation of bandwidth-friendly, interactive games, entertainment, and online shopping to the mainstream. Shockwave is currently available as a free download.

Seems like a no-brainer to bring 3D to the Web; but Macromedia's Miriam Geller says the reason this hasn't been done sooner is due to three things.

"Well, first there isn't really a standard for 3D players," says Geller. "Intel has a player that it uses to render but there aren't that many out there.

Geller says because not a lot of companies have been programming 3D for the Web, it's not that easy to view it either. And then there is the question of speed. Three-dimensional technology has not been optimized over low bandwidths. Geller says the enhanced shockwave will prevent ridiculously large files from gumming up the works.

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"In order to function in a 56k world you have to minimize output and maximize the users machine," she says.

Sega is also reported to be working on its 3D engine; but that is mostly for use in online games.

Macromedia says the newer Shockwave could be developed for basic Web page designs.