Three-dimensional scenes in web browsers with Three.js

Perspective in 3D

Article from Issue 145/2012
Author(s):

HTML5 brings 3D support to browsers. Thanks to WebGL, Firefox, Chrome, and company, you can render three-dimensional worlds without special plugins or viewers, and the Three.js JavaScript library makes programming easy.

Beyond the buzzword “HTML5,” a whole bundle of new technologies has found entry into browsers on desktop and mobile devices. Among them is one that opens the door to the 3D world: WebGL. The Web Graphics Library is a JavaScript interface for the OpenGL 3D library. With it, normal HTML pages can include three-dimensional content that runs on the graphics card with hardware acceleration.

WebGL has been implemented in Mozilla Firefox (from version 4), Opera (from version 12), and Google Chrome (from version 9) desktop browsers. Because the Khronos Group used OpenGL for Embedded Systems (OpenGL ES) as the foundation, it also can be used under Android with Firefox for mobile devices and Opera Mobile.

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Oculus Rift

    For decades, gamers and geeks have dreamed of virtual reality. Thanks to the Oculus Rift, this dream could become a reality for Linux users and developers as well – even though the whole thing is sponsored by Facebook.

  • Fragrance Workshop

    Blender's massive feature set can seem overwhelming at first. Choosing a manageable project can help you get started.

  • Animation with OpenToonz

    OpenToonz is a professional animation tool for comic and manga artists.

  • Blender

    With a little help from Blender you can create your own 3D models – including animations. This article shows you how to assemble a partially automated virtual watch model with Blender and Python.

  • Panda3D

    Several free game engines are available for Linux users, but programming with them is often less than intuitive. Panda3D is an easy-to-use engine that is accessible enough for newcomers but still powerful enough for the pros at Disney Studios.

comments powered by Disqus
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters

Support Our Work

Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

Learn More

News