JavaScript is currently one of the most popular scripting languages in the world. 3D JavaScript libraries have become highly popular. 3D JavaScript Libraries can be used for graphics and games.
Here’s a curated list of some of the best 3D JavaScript libraries which you can use a web designer.
1. Babylon.js
Babylon.js is one of the most popular 3D JavaScript libraries out there. It has range of features available.
- With the Babylon.js 4.2 particle editor, you can create and configure particle systems easily.
- It provides even more PBR (Physically Based Rendering) support. You can create your own custom PBR materials and shaders in a simple and visual editor.
- Babylon Native helps in building native applications with the same rendering power and code used for your Babylon.js web applications.
- Babylon.js 4.2 includes updated support for WebXR. This exciting new standard allows developers to easily create compelling cross-browser AR/VR web experiences.
- Babylon.js 4.2 features support for the latest .glTF extensions, both ratified and experimental! This includes the latest effort from the Commerce 3D Working Group and KTX + BasisU.
2. Three.js
Three.js is one of the most versatile 3D JavaScript libraries. Three.js uses WebGL to generate 3D images on your browser. Three.js simplifies the use of WebGL by removing the dependency of code for shadows, lights, materials, textures etc.
Below is the structure of Three.js app. You can check out the fundamentals page for more information.
3. D3.js
D3.js is a JavaScript library for manipulating documents based on data. D3 helps you bring data to life using HTML, SVG, and CSS. D3’s emphasis on web standards gives you the full capabilities of modern browsers without tying yourself to a proprietary framework, combining powerful visualization components and a data-driven approach to DOM manipulation.
D3 allows you to bind arbitrary data to a Document Object Model (DOM), and then apply data-driven transformations to the document. For example, you can use D3 to generate an HTML table from an array of numbers. Or, use the same data to create an interactive SVG bar chart with smooth transitions and interaction.
D3 is not a monolithic framework that seeks to provide every conceivable feature. Instead, D3 solves the crux of the problem: efficient manipulation of documents based on data. This avoids proprietary representation and affords extraordinary flexibility, exposing the full capabilities of web standards such as HTML, SVG, and CSS. With minimal overhead, D3 is extremely fast, supporting large datasets and dynamic behaviors for interaction and animation. D3’s functional style allows code reuse through a diverse collection of official and community-developed modules.
4. CesiumJS
CesiumJS is an open source JavaScript library for creating world-class 3D globes and maps with the best possible performance, precision, visual quality, and ease of use. Developers across industries, from aerospace to smart cities to drones, use CesiumJS to create interactive web apps for sharing dynamic geospatial data.
Built on open formats, CesiumJS is designed for robust interoperability and scaling for massive datasets.
- Stream in 3D Tiles and other standard formats from Cesium ion or another source
- Visualize and analyze on a high-precision WGS84 globe
- Share with users on desktop or mobile
5. WebGL
WebGL (Web Graphics Library) is a JavaScript API for rendering high-performance interactive 3D and 2D graphics within any compatible web browser without the use of plug-ins. WebGL does so by introducing an API that closely conforms to OpenGL ES 2.0 that can be used in HTML5 <canvas> elements. This conformance makes it possible for the API to take advantage of hardware graphics acceleration provided by the user’s device.
WebGL brings plugin-free 3D to the web, implemented right into the browser. Major browser vendors Apple (Safari), Google (Chrome), Microsoft (Edge), and Mozilla (Firefox) are members of the WebGL Working Group.
WebGL programs consist of control code written in JavaScript and shader code (GLSL) that is executed on a computer’s Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). WebGL elements can be mixed with other HTML elements and composited with other parts of the page or page background.
