7 Tools and Resources for Your 3D Projects in Three.js

In this blog post, we will explore seven indispensable tools and websites that are crucial for developing your 3D projects. These resources are curated from the recently discovered website, Three.js Resources. This site collects a variety of tools specifically for Three.js, allowing you to search by category or even contribute new resources that aren’t listed yet. The convenience of having all these resources in one place is evident, and you’ll want to stay until the end because the last two tools will truly leave you amazed.

1. Learning Courses for Three.js

Starting off, let’s talk about courses to learn Three.js. If you’re just starting and unsure about how to develop 3D projects, a comprehensive course might be what you need. Among the top courses available online, “Three.js Journey” stands out. It covers everything from the basics to advanced concepts like shaders — and includes a chapter dedicated to React Fiber. There are also dedicated courses focusing on shaders and what’s offered by Wawa, who shares tutorials on React Fiber on his YouTube channel and website.

2. React Fiber Library

React Fiber is the Three.js library for React. If you’re developing a project with React or Next.js, Fiber is the ideal choice for creating 3D scenes. It offers many pre-implemented features and hooks that facilitate interaction with 3D scenes, providing the benefits of React’s reactivity and user interaction.

3. Physics Libraries

In 3D game development, managing physics such as collisions, forces, and gravity is crucial. You can find many physics libraries in this portal, including Cannon.js and Rapier. While Cannon.js is easy to use, its updates aren’t as frequent. Rapier, on the other hand, is a powerful, albeit complex, alternative.

4. 3D Assets and Textures

Often, when working on 3D projects, you’ll need assets, models, or textures. This portal offers a plethora of websites where you can find both free and paid resources. Always be cautious of the licensing terms. Sketchfab and Poly Pizza are popular options for downloading 3D models. Additionally, there are websites for textures and materials necessary for achieving photorealism in your projects.

5. 3D Modeling Software

If you prefer creating your assets, knowing 3D modeling software is essential. Blender and Cinema 4D are well-known, but Spline stands out as a web-based tool you can start using for free. Spline allows you to create 3D scenes from scratch or use pre-set templates and integrates seamlessly with Three.js and React Fiber.

6. Animation Tools

Animations are pivotal for captivating 3D projects. Libraries like GSAP animate DOM elements and 3D objects within a scene. However, the highlight here is Theatre.js, which offers a motion design library with tools for creating animations. Theatre.js acts like a directorial suite, allowing you to precisely animate cameras and objects within your scene using a graphical UI.

7. Shader Inspection: Spector.js

The final and arguably most exciting tool is Spector.js, the ultimate extension for inspecting shaders on the websites you visit. Working with TJS and WebGL can be challenging as everything is rendered on a canvas, which isn’t straightforward to inspect. Spector.js enables you to examine GL code and shaders used by professionals directly within your browser.

Conslusion

We hope these tools and resources have been insightful for your 3D projects. To explore these and more, visit the linked website Three.js Resources in the description. If you find this information helpful or have specific use cases, let us know. Stay tuned for more intriguing content, and don’t forget to subscribe and clap this article. Cheers!