Web3D

Web3D refers to technologies for creating, displaying, and interacting with three-dimensional content directly in web browsers. It integrates computer graphics, 3D modeling, and real-time rendering with existing web standards such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

History and standards: The Web has evolved from early attempts like VRML and X3D to modern browser APIs that enable real-time 3D rendering. WebGL provides hardware-accelerated 3D graphics through the browser’s canvas using JavaScript, while WebGPU offers lower-level GPU access for more complex workloads. WebXR supplies APIs for rendering immersive augmented and virtual reality experiences on the web.

Formats and data: The glTF format has become a widely adopted standard for transferring 3D assets on the web, often described as the JPEG of 3D. Models can be stored as glTF files in .gltf or binary .glb form, sometimes with Draco or other compression. Other common formats include OBJ, FBX, STL, and USDZ, which serve various authoring and interchange pipelines.

Software ecosystem: Web3D is supported by libraries and frameworks such as three.js, Babylon.js, and A-Frame, which provide higher-level tools for scene management, materials, lighting, animation, and interaction. 3D content is typically embedded within HTML pages and can be loaded from servers, bundled with applications, or streamed.

Applications and challenges: Web3D enables product configurators, gaming, education, virtual tours, and simulations embedded in web pages. Key challenges include achieving smooth performance on diverse devices, reducing loading times, addressing accessibility concerns, and managing security and privacy when executing and rendering 3D content in the browser.