"It used Viewpoint (I think it was called) as an internet client or something, so that you could share animations online with others having the same client."

Ah, Viewpoint. That was Metacreations web tool that I referred to - couldn't remember the name. VRML, 3DXML … I don't know if they've ever setteled on a standard for web 3D yet.

"Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H. L. Mencken