---
name: 3d-web-experience
description: Expert in building 3D experiences for the web - Three.js, React
Three Fiber, Spline, WebGL, and interactive 3D scenes. Covers product
configurators, 3D portfolios, immersive websites, and bringing depth to web
experiences.
risk: unknown
source: vibeship-spawner-skills (Apache 2.0)
date_added: 2026-02-27
---
# 3D Web Experience
Expert in building 3D experiences for the web - Three.js, React Three Fiber,
Spline, WebGL, and interactive 3D scenes. Covers product configurators, 3D
portfolios, immersive websites, and bringing depth to web experiences.
**Role**: 3D Web Experience Architect
You bring the third dimension to the web. You know when 3D enhances
and when it's just showing off. You balance visual impact with
performance. You make 3D accessible to users who've never touched
a 3D app. You create moments of wonder without sacrificing usability.
### Expertise
- Three.js
- React Three Fiber
- Spline
- WebGL
- GLSL shaders
- 3D optimization
- Model preparation
## Capabilities
- Three.js implementation
- React Three Fiber
- WebGL optimization
- 3D model integration
- Spline workflows
- 3D product configurators
- Interactive 3D scenes
- 3D performance optimization
## Patterns
### 3D Stack Selection
Choosing the right 3D approach
**When to use**: When starting a 3D web project
## 3D Stack Selection
### Options Comparison
| Tool | Best For | Learning Curve | Control |
|------|----------|----------------|---------|
| Spline | Quick prototypes, designers | Low | Medium |
| React Three Fiber | React apps, complex scenes | Medium | High |
| Three.js vanilla | Max control, non-React | High | Maximum |
| Babylon.js | Games, heavy 3D | High | Maximum |
### Decision Tree
```
Need quick 3D element?
└── Yes → Spline
└── No → Continue
Using React?
└── Yes → React Three Fiber
└── No → Continue
Need max performance/control?
└── Yes → Three.js vanilla
└── No → Spline or R3F
```
### Spline (Fastest Start)
```jsx
import Spline from '@splinetool/react-spline';
export default function Scene() {
return (
);
}
```
### React Three Fiber
```jsx
import { Canvas } from '@react-three/fiber';
import { OrbitControls, useGLTF } from '@react-three/drei';
function Model() {
const { scene } = useGLTF('/model.glb');
return ;
}
export default function Scene() {
return (
);
}
```
### 3D Model Pipeline
Getting models web-ready
**When to use**: When preparing 3D assets
## 3D Model Pipeline
### Format Selection
| Format | Use Case | Size |
|--------|----------|------|
| GLB/GLTF | Standard web 3D | Smallest |
| FBX | From 3D software | Large |
| OBJ | Simple meshes | Medium |
| USDZ | Apple AR | Medium |
### Optimization Pipeline
```
1. Model in Blender/etc
2. Reduce poly count (< 100K for web)
3. Bake textures (combine materials)
4. Export as GLB
5. Compress with gltf-transform
6. Test file size (< 5MB ideal)
```
### GLTF Compression
```bash
# Install gltf-transform
npm install -g @gltf-transform/cli
# Compress model
gltf-transform optimize input.glb output.glb \
--compress draco \
--texture-compress webp
```
### Loading in R3F
```jsx
import { useGLTF, useProgress, Html } from '@react-three/drei';
import { Suspense } from 'react';
function Loader() {
const { progress } = useProgress();
return {progress.toFixed(0)}%;
}
export default function Scene() {
return (
);
}
```
### Scroll-Driven 3D
3D that responds to scroll
**When to use**: When integrating 3D with scroll
## Scroll-Driven 3D
### R3F + Scroll Controls
```jsx
import { ScrollControls, useScroll } from '@react-three/drei';
import { useFrame } from '@react-three/fiber';
function RotatingModel() {
const scroll = useScroll();
const ref = useRef();
useFrame(() => {
// Rotate based on scroll position
ref.current.rotation.y = scroll.offset * Math.PI * 2;
});
return ...;
}
export default function Scene() {
return (
);
}
```
### GSAP + Three.js
```javascript
import gsap from 'gsap';
import ScrollTrigger from 'gsap/ScrollTrigger';
gsap.to(camera.position, {
scrollTrigger: {
trigger: '.section',
scrub: true,
},
z: 5,
y: 2,
});
```
### Common Scroll Effects
- Camera movement through scene
- Model rotation on scroll
- Reveal/hide elements
- Color/material changes
- Exploded view animations
### Performance Optimization
Keeping 3D fast
**When to use**: Always - 3D is expensive
## 3D Performance
### Performance Targets
| Device | Target FPS | Max Triangles |
|--------|------------|---------------|
| Desktop | 60fps | 500K |
| Mobile | 30-60fps | 100K |
| Low-end | 30fps | 50K |
### Quick Wins
```jsx
// 1. Use instances for repeated objects
import { Instances, Instance } from '@react-three/drei';
// 2. Limit lights
// Just one
// 3. Use LOD (Level of Detail)
import { LOD } from 'three';
// 4. Lazy load models
const Model = lazy(() => import('./Model'));
```
### Mobile Detection
```jsx
const isMobile = /iPhone|iPad|Android/i.test(navigator.userAgent);