Learning Three.js — the JavaScript 3D Library for WebGL - Second Edition

Create stunning 3D graphics in your browser using the Three.js JavaScript library

Key Features

• Enhance your 3D graphics with light sources, shadows, advanced materials, and textures
• Load models from external sources, and visualize and animate them directly from JavaScript
• Each subject is explained using extensive examples that you can use directly and adapt for your own purposes

Book Description

Modern browsers support WebGL, which makes it possible to create 3D graphics in a browser without having to use plugins such as Flash and Java. Programming WebGL, however, is difficult, complex, and very difficult to debug. With Three.js, it is possible to create stunning 3D graphics in an intuitive manner using JavaScript, without the need to know the details of WebGL.

Learning Three.js - the JavaScript 3D Library for WebGL, Second Edition, is a practical, example-rich book that will help you learn about all the features of Three.js. This book will show you how to create or load models from externally created models and realistic-looking 3D objects using materials and textures. You'll also learn how to use the HTML5 video and canvas elements as a material for your 3D objects, different ways of animating your models, skeleton-based animation, and how to add physics such as gravity and collision detection to your scene. By the end of the book, you'll know everything that is required to create 3D animated graphics that run in any browser using Three.js.

What you will learn

• Use the different geometries that are provided by Three.js
• Apply realistic lighting and shadows to the 3D objects you have created
• Use the different camera controls provided by Three.js to effortlessly navigate around your 3D scene
• Make use of advanced textures on materials to create realistic-looking 3D objects by using bump maps, normal maps, specular maps, and light maps
• Import and animate models from external formats, such as OBJ, STL, Collada, and many more
• Create and run animations using morph targets and bone animations
• Explore the Physijs JavaScript library to apply physics to your 3D objects
• Interact directly with WebGL by creating custom vertex and fragment shaders

Jos Dirksen has worked as a software developer and architect for more than a decade. He has a lot of experience in a large range of technologies, ranging from backend technologies, such as Java and Scala, to frontend development using HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript. Besides working with these technologies, Jos also regularly speaks at conferences and likes to write about new and interesting technologies on his blog. He also likes to experiment with new technologies and see how they can best be used to create beautiful data visualizations. He is currently working as a freelance full-stack engineer on various Scala and JavaScript project. Previously, Jos has worked in many different roles in the private and public sectors, ranging from private companies such as ING, ASML, Malmberg, and Philips to organizations in the public sector, such as the Department of Defense.