Unlocking the Power of Web-Based Games: A Deep Dive into Three.js
The gaming industry has experienced unprecedented growth, with a projected revenue of $159 billion in 2020 alone. Among the millions of games produced each year, web-based games have emerged as a significant player, thanks to the increasing sophistication of browsers. Three.js, a powerful JavaScript library, has revolutionized the creation of stunningly realistic 3D and 2D games for the web browser.
What is Three.js?
Three.js is a cross-browser JavaScript library and API designed to help developers build and display 3D animations in the browser using WebGL. It enables the creation of photorealistic, real-time scenes, and allows for the application of textures and materials to objects. With Three.js, developers can load objects from 3D modeling software and use custom shaders, advanced postprocessing effects, and various light sources to illuminate their scenes.
Getting Started with Three.js
Installing Three.js is a breeze. Simply get the minified Three.js file from the official repository and add it to the script tag. With this, Three.js is initialized and ready to go.
Geometries in Three.js
Geometries are used to create and define shapes in Three.js. A geometry is an instance of the Three.Geometry class, defined by faces and vertices. A vertex defines the position of points in space, while a face represents the surface of a shape. For example, a cube has six vertices (edges) and six faces. By mapping out the position of the vertices and connecting them with lines, developers can create the surfaces of the cube and define the shape/geometry.
Built-in Primitive Shapes
Three.js provides several built-in primitive shapes, including cubes, spheres, polyhedra, tori, and torus knots. These shapes can be created using the respective classes, such as Three.CubeGeometry, Three.SphereGeometry, and Three.TorusGeometry.
2D Geometry in Three.js
In addition to 3D geometries, Three.js also allows for the creation of engaging 2D shapes, such as planes, circles, and rings. These shapes can be created using the respective classes, such as Three.PlaneGeometry, Three.CircleGeometry, and Three.RingGeometry.
Rendering Text in Three.js
Three.js also enables the rendering of text. To do this, developers need to include the Font.js files from Three.js in their page. Then, they can use the THREE.TextGeometry class to create and render text.
Materials in Three.js
Materials manage the texture and color of objects in Three.js. A material covers an object, adding colors, or textures to a surface. Three.js provides a range of materials, including MeshBasicMaterial, MeshPhongMaterial, MeshLambertMaterial, MeshNormalMaterial, MeshDepthMaterial, and MeshFaceMaterial. Each material has its unique characteristics and uses.
MeshBasicMaterial
MeshBasicMaterial is used to display a solid color or a wireframe. It’s not affected by lighting, making it ideal for situations where lighting is not required.
MeshPhongMaterial
MeshPhongMaterial looks glossier and shinier than the basic material. It’s affected by light in the scene, making it ideal for situations where lighting is required.
MeshLambertMaterial
MeshLambertMaterial is similar to Phong material, but it’s not as glossy. It’s also affected by light in the scene.
MeshNormalMaterial
MeshNormalMaterial is great for distinguishing surfaces in objects or objects’ shapes. It uses the magnitude of the x/y/z values of the faces’ normal vectors to calculate and set the red/green/blue values of the colors displayed.
MeshDepthMaterial
MeshDepthMaterial renders the object in shades of grey, with its brightness dependent on its distance from the camera.
By mastering the art of creating geometries, materials, and rendering text in Three.js, developers can unlock the full potential of web-based games and create immersive experiences for users.