In a world where digital experiences are becoming increasingly immersive, 3D content has evolved into a powerful tool for web designers and developers. Tldr: Three.js remains the undisputed number 1 for 3D on the web in 2025.

Why Use 3D on a Website?

There are compelling reasons to integrate 3D elements into your website:

• Higher Conversion Rate: Studies show that interactive 3D product displays can increase conversion rates by up to 40%
• Longer Dwell Time: Users spend on average 2-3 times more time on pages with interactive 3D elements
• Fun, Fun, Fun: The fun factor of interactive 3D experiences creates positive user experiences and higher engagement rates
• Differentiation: 3D content sets your website apart from the competition

The 3D Web Ecosystem Visualized

The structure of the 3D web ecosystem can best be represented as nested layers:

  +-----------------------------------------+
  |               WebGL/WebGPU              |  <-- Low-Level APIs
  +-----------------------------------------+
  |                Three.js                 |  <-- 3D Library
  +-----------------------------------------+
  |             React Three Fiber           |  <-- Framework Integration
  +-----------------------------------------+
  |                 React                   |  <-- UI Framework
  +-----------------------------------------+
  |                Canvas                   |  <-- Rendering Element
  +-----------------------------------------+

Each layer provides a higher abstraction that simplifies the development process.

What is Three.js?

Three.js is the leading JavaScript library for 3D graphics on the web:

• Founded in 2010
• Abstracts the complexity of WebGL with an intuitive API
• Open-source under the MIT license
• Over 1700 contributors on GitHub

Three.js makes it relatively easy to create, light, and animate 3D scenes without having to dive deep into the intricacies of graphics programming.

Although Three.js remains the standard, there are notable alternatives:

Babylon.js

• Full-fledged game engine for the web
• The online version of Minecraft was built with Babylon.js
• More focused on games with integrated physics and collision detection

Verge3D

• Originally derived from Three.js
• Not open source, premium model
• Target audience are artists, not developers

Conclusion: For most web projects, Three.js remains the preferred library due to its flexibility, community support, and extensive ecosystem.

Impressive Examples of Three.js Websites

The creative community has created inspiring projects with Three.js:

• City Mine Online - A fascinating artistic project

An extensive list of additional impressive examples can be found in the GitHub README of React Three Fiber.

File Formats for 3D Models on the Web

The most important 3D file formats are:

GLTF/GLB (Recommended)

• The "JPEG of the 3D world" - optimized for the web
• Supports materials, textures, animations
• GLB is the binary version of GLTF (a single compact file)

OBJ

• Older but widely used format
• Separate files:
  • `.obj` - Geometry data
  • `.mtl` - Material Template Library
  • Texture files (JPG, PNG) - Images for surfaces
• OBJ coordinates have no units but can contain scaling information in comment lines

FBX

• Proprietary format from Autodesk
• Good support for animations
• Less web-optimized

Useful Tools for Working with 3D Models

3DViewer.net

• Quickly view and test 3D models directly in the browser
• Create screenshots with transparent backgrounds
• Identify missing files and issues

Three.js Editor

• Online editor for editing and testing 3D scenes
• Experiment with lighting, materials, and camera settings

Where to Get 3D Models?

There are various sources for 3D models:

• Your own 3D scans: With smartphones or specialized scanners
• Model yourself: With programs like Blender (free)
• Online marketplaces: Sketchfab, TurboSquid, CGTrader

Implementation with React Three Fiber

React Three Fiber is a React renderer for Three.js.

Advantages of React Three Fiber

• Declarative code: Clear, minimal syntax in React style
• Reusable components: 3D elements as React components
• Reactivity: Automatically responds to state changes

Important: "You need to be versed in both React and Three.js before rushing into this." React Three Fiber simplifies the work but requires basic knowledge in both technologies.

Animation and Interaction

Three.js and its ecosystem libraries offer various possibilities for animation and interaction:

Camera Control

• OrbitControls: Enables rotation, zooming, and panning of the camera

Animation

• GSAP (GreenSock): Powerful animation library
• Three.js Animation System: For keyframe-based animations
• React Spring: Physics-based animations in React Three Fiber

3D on Mobile Devices

Mobile devices present special challenges:

• Touch gestures: Special controls for touch interactions
• File size: Particularly important due to limited data volume
• Performance: Consider less powerful GPUs
  • Implement Level of Detail (LOD)
  • Reduce scene complexity

Optimization: The Key to Web 3D

Asset Optimization

• GLTF format with Draco compression: Reduces mesh size by up to 95%
• Texture compression: Basis Universal Textures (KTX2)
• Progressive Meshes: Show low-poly versions while loading

Performance Techniques

• Level of Detail (LOD): Adjustment of model complexity based on distance
• Occlusion Culling: Only renders visible objects
• Offscreen Rendering: Pauses rendering when 3D content is not visible

Conclusion

In 2025, 3D on the web is no longer just a gimmick but a powerful tool for developers and designers. Three.js remains the leading library, with React Three Fiber as the preferred solution for React developers.

With the right tools and strategies, you can create impressive 3D experiences that take your website to the next level – whether for e-commerce, education, digital storytelling, or other applications.

Do you have questions about implementing 3D on your website? Contact our team for a consultation!