In today's digital world, many websites choose traditional visual elements, such as videos and image sliders, to make their home page more appealing. But what if we put a new spin on this? What if we harnessed the power of 3D graphics and animation to create a unique and immersive user experience?
So we decided to experiment with Three.js, a popular JavaScript library that can be used to create 3D graphics in the browser. Three.js allows us to create vivid 3D objects and animations that we can then integrate into our website.
What is Three.js?
Three.js is a cross-browser JavaScript library that uses WebGL to generate 3D graphics. This will make developing 3D applications, such as games or interactive graphic interfaces, easier and more accessible to Web developers.
Our Project
In our recent project, we combined two animations and used them as frames for 3D objects using Three.js. Users can not only zoom in and out and rotate the 3D objects with their mouse, but the added buttons allow them to place the animation in different positions. On reload, these positions are randomized, making the experience unique each time.
For seamless integration, we developed a WordPress plugin. Should a user not support WebGL, a default slider will be displayed. For those familiar with WordPress, we have also added shortcode functionality.
The results? The combination of 3D objects in Three.js is stunning. We have used this technique before, for example in 3D product configurators. After completing our application, we felt like we had discovered a new form of interactive art.
Curious about the results? See for yourself at www.utilewebsites.nl, where this 3D animation can be seen live.
Useful links Three.js