Technology advances such as accelerated graphics cards and graphics ports have driven PC hardware capabilities up and prices down, making 3D more accessible to consumers and furthering research on methods and algorithms.

Another key trends is overcoming network-bandwidth limitations by sending compressed content instead of full-resolution geometry.

3D graphics can be used to visualize objects and products prior to construction, model weather systems for meteorologists, study medical anomalies detected in CAT scans, and examine cosmological phenomena.

Impovements in cost, ease of use, demand, cross-platform functionality and uniform standards could help the technology break out of niche markets.