Unlock the Power of 3D Models in Your React Project

Prerequisites

Before we dive in, make sure you have a fundamental knowledge of React and Three.js’ architecture, including lighting, geometry, and canvas. You’ll also need to have Node.js installed on your machine.

Creating and Preparing a 3D Model for the Web

When it comes to creating a 3D model, you can use software like Blender or Maya. If you’re new to 3D modeling, you can outsource public-domain glTF files from sites like sketchfab.com. Just remember to check for permission to use an asset before including it in your project.

Converting glTF to GLB

glTF is based on JSON, which means some of its data is stored externally. GLB, on the other hand, stores this data internally, making its size considerably smaller than glTF. To convert glTF files to GLB, you can use tools like glTF-pipeline or the official glTF tool extension for VS Code.

gltf-pipeline -i input.gltf -o output.glb

Compressing the Model

To avoid degrading your site’s performance, it’s essential to compress your 3D asset before loading it into your scene. You can use a glTF pipeline compression extension called Draco to compress your model.

gltf-pipeline -i input.glb -o output-compressed.glb --draco.compressionLevel 10

Setting Up Your React Project

To set up your react-three-fiber project, create a new React project with Create React App and install react-three-fiber with the command:

npm install react-three-fiber

Then, install the necessary dependencies, including react-colorful, drei, and Valtio.

npm install react-colorful drei valtio

Loading the Model into the Scene

To load your model into the scene, you’ll need to convert it into a reusable React component using gltfjsx. This utility package breaks down the model and compiles it into a declarative and reusable JSX component.

npx gltfjsx input.glb > Model.js

Configuring the Model

Once you’ve loaded your model into the scene, you can configure it by adding, removing, and altering parts of the model. You can also animate, add events, and perform conditions on your model using React’s useState Hook and Valtio state management.

import { useState } from 'eact';
import { Canvas } from '@react-three/fiber';
import { Model } from './Model';

function App() {
  const [color, setColor] = useState('red');

  return (
    
      
      
      
    
  );
}

Adding Events and Animations

To take your model to the next level, you can add events like onPointerDown and onPointerMissed to allow users to select each part of the model and change its color with a color picker. You can also animate the model using the useFrame Hook, which returns a callback 60 times or more per second, depending on the display refresh rate.

import { useFrame } from '@react-three/fiber';

function App() {
  useFrame((state, delta) => {
    // Animate the model here
  });

  return (
    
      
      
      
    
  );
}

The Possibilities are Endless

With react-three-fiber, the possibilities for creating immersive 3D experiences on the web are endless. Whether you’re building a 3D product viewer, a VR/AR experience, or even a game, R3F makes managing the scene seamless.

Get Started Today!

Now that you know the basics of incorporating 3D models into your React project, it’s time to get started! With react-three-fiber, you can unlock the full potential of 3D rendering on the web. Happy coding!