Three-dimensional virtual world pattern positioning comprises reading incoming data and utilizing a template system having template nodes that are connected together in a hierarchy to construct the virtual world pattern. Each template node has at least one pattern that the template node can output, a test/criteria to run on the incoming data to determine behavior of the template node and a set of child template nodes to transition to after giving out a pattern. Virtual world pattern positioning comprises calling a first template node to select the virtual world pattern by running the test/criteria on the incoming data, generating a key having a key value, using the generated key value to output a pattern, determining whether the key value also has an associated child template node and providing a reference to the child template node if a child template node exists.