Abstract. This paper describes how function-based shape modeling can be expanded to web visualization, as well as how web-based visualization can be greatly improved by using the function-based shape modeling technique. We have proposed a function-defined VRML shape node, which allows the content creators to describe any complex models with relatively small functions compared to the large-size polygonal mesh models. These function-defined shapes can be used together with the common VRML shapes. The design, the implementation details, and the application examples of the proposed node are discussed. 1 Function-Based Shape Modeling Dramatic advances in computer technology have driven up the methods and tools of interactive 3D shape modeling where the unique geometric reasoning of the human brain couples with the rapid computing and rendering abilities of the computer. Some geometric models, which existed rather theoretically just a few years ago, now revolutionize the ways of shape repres...