Note: This is for the Java API version of Worldwind. For information on the older C# application please visit https://www.ohloh.net/p/wwc

The original Worldwind C# application relied on the .NET libraries and DirectX and was thus restricted to a Windows environment. In an effort to be cross-platform a new SDK version of Worldwind was developed in Java.

This new version has an API-centric architecture with functionalities 'off-loaded' to modular components, leaving the API at the core. This makes Worldwind itself a plugin so that it can be used as interchangeably as possible. This refactoring exercise allows Worldwind to be accessed via a browser as a Java Applet.

A preview of the Worldwind Java SDK was released on May 11, 2007 during Sun Microsystem's annual JavaOne conference.