- Introduction to 3D Web Development and Three.js
- Setting Up Three.js and Your First 3D Scene
- 3D Geometry, Materials, and Lighting in Three.js
- Camera Controls and User Input in 3D Space
- Texturing and Shaders in Three.js
- Animation and the Three.js Animation System
- Implementing a Game Loop in Three.js
- Introduction to 3D Physics with Cannon.js
- Integrating Cannon.js with Three.js for Game Physics
- Creating 3D Character Models and Animations
- Terrain Generation and Skybox Creation
- Implementing First-Person Controls
- Collision Detection in 3D Space
- Particle Systems and Special Effects in 3D
- Sound Design for 3D Web Games
- Optimizing 3D Game Performance
- Implementing Game Logic and Scoring Systems
- Creating a Simple 3D Game AI
- Adding Multiplayer to Your 3D Game
- Finalizing and Deploying Your 3D Web Game
Lesson 1: Introduction to 3D Web Development and Three.js
This lesson introduces students to the world of 3D web development and the Three.js library. We’ll discuss the current landscape of 3D web technologies, the capabilities of WebGL, and where Three.js fits into this ecosystem.
Students will learn about the core concepts of 3D graphics, including vertices, polygons, and the 3D coordinate system. We’ll explore the basic structure of a Three.js scene, including cameras, lights, and objects.
The lesson concludes with an overview of the course structure and a demonstration of what students will be able to create by the end. We’ll set up a basic Three.js project and render a simple 3D shape to get students excited about the possibilities ahead.
Lesson 2: Setting Up Three.js and Your First 3D Scene
In this lesson, students will prepare their development environment for Three.js development. We’ll guide them through installing Node.js, npm, and setting up a project structure optimized for 3D web development.
Students will learn how to include Three.js in their project, both via CDN for quick prototyping and npm for more complex projects. We’ll set up a local development server and introduce essential development tools like Webpack for module bundling and ESLint for code quality.
By the end of this lesson, students will have created their first 3D scene with Three.js, including a camera, lights, and a basic 3D object. They’ll understand the fundamental components of a Three.js application and how they work together to create a 3D web experience.
Lesson 3: 3D Geometry, Materials, and Lighting in Three.js
This lesson dives deeper into the core elements of 3D scenes: geometry, materials, and lighting. Students will explore various types of 3D geometries available in Three.js, from basic shapes to complex custom geometries.
We’ll cover different types of materials in Three.js, including basic materials, physically-based rendering (PBR) materials, and how to create custom shaders. Students will learn how to apply textures and create realistic-looking surfaces.
The lesson concludes with an in-depth look at lighting in Three.js. Students will experiment with different types of lights, including ambient, directional, point, and spot lights. They’ll learn how to combine these to create atmospheric and realistic lighting for their 3D scenes.
Lesson 4: Camera Controls and User Input in 3D Space
In this lesson, students will learn how to implement camera controls to navigate 3D space. We’ll explore different types of cameras in Three.js and how to use them effectively in games.
Students will implement orbit controls, first-person controls, and custom camera movements. We’ll cover techniques for handling user input in 3D space, including mouse and keyboard interactions for both desktop and mobile devices.
By the end of the lesson, students will have created an interactive 3D environment where users can navigate and interact with objects in the scene. This will form the foundation for creating immersive 3D game experiences.
Lesson 5: Texturing and Shaders in Three.js
This lesson focuses on advanced techniques for creating visually appealing 3D objects using textures and shaders. Students will learn how to create and apply various types of textures, including diffuse, normal, and specular maps.
We’ll dive into the world of shaders, explaining how vertex and fragment shaders work. Students will learn how to write custom shaders using GLSL (OpenGL Shading Language) to create unique visual effects.
The lesson concludes with a project where students will create a detailed 3D object with custom textures and shaders. They’ll learn how to use these techniques to add visual interest and realism to their 3D games.
Lesson 6: Animation and the Three.js Animation System
In this lesson, students will explore animation techniques in Three.js. We’ll cover basic property animations, keyframe animations, and skeletal animations for character models.
Students will learn how to use the Three.js Animation System to create complex animations, including blending between different animation states. We’ll also discuss performance considerations when dealing with multiple animated objects.
By the end of the lesson, students will have implemented various types of animations in their 3D scene, including animated characters and environmental elements. This will bring their 3D worlds to life and set the stage for creating dynamic game experiences.
Lesson 7: Implementing a Game Loop in Three.js
This lesson introduces the concept of a game loop and its implementation in Three.js. Students will learn how to create a robust game loop that handles updates and rendering consistently.
We’ll cover techniques for managing game state, implementing game logic within the loop, and ensuring smooth performance. Students will also learn about time-based movement and how to create frame-rate independent gameplay.
The lesson concludes with students implementing a complete game loop for their 3D game, including handling game objects, player input, and game events. This will form the core structure for their game projects moving forward.
Lesson 8: Introduction to 3D Physics with Cannon.js
In this lesson, students will be introduced to 3D physics simulation using Cannon.js. We’ll discuss the importance of physics in creating realistic and interactive 3D games.
Students will learn the basics of rigid body dynamics, including concepts like mass, velocity, and forces. We’ll cover how to create physics worlds, add bodies to them, and simulate basic physics interactions.
By the end of the lesson, students will have set up a Cannon.js physics world and integrated it with their Three.js scene. They’ll understand how to create physical objects and simulate basic interactions like gravity and collisions.
Lesson 9: Integrating Cannon.js with Three.js for Game Physics
This lesson focuses on creating a seamless integration between Three.js graphics and Cannon.js physics. Students will learn how to synchronize the position and rotation of Three.js objects with their Cannon.js counterparts.
We’ll cover techniques for handling complex collisions, applying forces and impulses to objects, and creating constraints between physics bodies. Students will also learn how to optimize their physics simulations for performance.
The lesson concludes with a project where students will create an interactive physics-based game element, such as a stack of blocks that can be knocked over or a vehicle that responds realistically to terrain.
Lesson 10: Creating 3D Character Models and Animations
In this lesson, students will learn how to work with complex 3D character models in Three.js. We’ll cover importing 3D models from popular formats and optimizing them for web use.
Students will explore rigging and skinning concepts, learning how to animate character models using skeletal animations. We’ll also cover techniques for blending animations and creating responsive character controls.
By the end of the lesson, students will have implemented a fully animated 3D character in their game, complete with multiple animation states and smooth transitions between them.
Lesson 11: Terrain Generation and Skybox Creation
This lesson focuses on creating immersive 3D environments. Students will learn techniques for generating 3D terrain procedurally, including heightmap-based terrain and more complex noise-based generation.
We’ll cover how to texture large terrain models efficiently and add details like grass, trees, and rocks. Students will also learn how to create skyboxes and environment maps to give their 3D worlds a sense of atmosphere and scale.
The lesson concludes with students creating a large, explorable 3D environment for their game, complete with terrain, environmental details, and a realistic sky.
Lesson 12: Implementing First-Person Controls
In this lesson, students will implement first-person controls for their 3D game. We’ll cover techniques for smooth camera movement, handling mouse look, and implementing features like jumping and crouching.
Students will learn how to integrate these controls with the physics system, ensuring that the player character interacts realistically with the 3D environment. We’ll also discuss methods for handling collision detection and response from a first-person perspective.
By the end of the lesson, students will have created a fully functional first-person character controller, ready to be used as the player’s avatar in their 3D game world.
Lesson 13: Collision Detection in 3D Space
This lesson dives deep into collision detection techniques in 3D space. Students will learn about different approaches to collision detection, including bounding volume hierarchies and ray casting.
We’ll cover how to use Cannon.js for precise collision detection and how to handle collision events in game logic. Students will implement collision responses, including realistic bouncing, sliding, and object interaction.
The lesson concludes with students creating a complex obstacle course that demonstrates various types of collisions and physics interactions, further enhancing the interactivity of their 3D game.
Lesson 14: Particle Systems and Special Effects in 3D
In this lesson, students will learn how to create and manage particle systems for 3D special effects. We’ll explore techniques for generating and updating large numbers of particles efficiently.
Students will implement various particle effects, such as explosions, fire, smoke, and magic spells. We’ll also cover how to use shaders to enhance particle effects and optimize performance.
By the end of the lesson, students will have added several impressive visual effects to their 3D game, significantly enhancing its visual appeal and feedback systems.
Lesson 15: Sound Design for 3D Web Games
This lesson focuses on implementing 3D audio to create an immersive sound experience. Students will learn how to work with the Web Audio API in conjunction with Three.js to create spatial audio effects.
We’ll cover techniques for adding ambient sounds, sound effects, and dynamic audio that responds to game events and player position. Students will also learn about audio falloff, Doppler effects, and other 3D audio concepts.
The lesson concludes with students implementing a complete 3D audio landscape for their game, including positional audio sources and real-time audio effects processing.
Lesson 16: Optimizing 3D Game Performance
In this lesson, students will learn techniques to optimize the performance of their 3D web games. We’ll cover methods for reducing draw calls, implementing level-of-detail (LOD) systems, and using occlusion culling.
Students will learn how to profile their games, identify performance bottlenecks, and optimize both JavaScript code and 3D rendering. We’ll also discuss techniques for reducing memory usage and managing asset loading.
By the end of the lesson, students will have significantly improved the performance of their 3D game, ensuring smooth gameplay across a range of devices and browsers.
Lesson 17: Implementing Game Logic and Scoring Systems
This lesson focuses on tying together all the elements of the 3D game with coherent game logic. Students will learn how to implement game states, victory and loss conditions, and scoring systems.
We’ll cover techniques for managing game progression, implementing checkpoints, and creating engaging feedback loops. Students will also learn how to create a user interface that integrates well with the 3D game world.
The lesson concludes with students implementing a complete game flow, from start screen to gameplay to end game, creating a cohesive and engaging player experience.
Lesson 18: Creating a Simple 3D Game AI
In this lesson, students will be introduced to artificial intelligence concepts for 3D games. We’ll cover techniques for pathfinding in 3D space, decision making, and creating believable NPC behaviors.
Students will implement AI-controlled characters that can navigate the 3D environment, interact with objects, and respond to the player’s actions. We’ll also discuss methods for optimizing AI performance in complex 3D worlds.
By the end of the lesson, students will have added AI-controlled entities to their game, increasing the dynamism and challenge of their 3D game world.
Lesson 19: Adding Multiplayer to Your 3D Game
This lesson introduces students to real-time multiplayer game development in 3D. We’ll cover the basics of networking for games, including client-server architecture and real-time data synchronization.
Students will learn how to use WebSockets to create a real-time connection between players. We’ll implement player synchronization, shared physics simulations, and techniques for handling network latency in a 3D environment.
The lesson concludes with students adding basic multiplayer functionality to their 3D game, allowing multiple players to interact in the same 3D space.
Lesson 20: Finalizing and Deploying Your 3D Web Game
In this final lesson, students will learn how to polish, optimize, and deploy their 3D web game. We’ll cover techniques for adding final touches, including visual effects, sound design, and user experience improvements.
Students will learn how to build their game for production, optimizing assets and code for faster loading and better performance. We’ll discuss different hosting options for 3D web games and how to ensure compatibility across different devices and browsers.
The course concludes with guidance on publishing and promoting 3D web games. Students will finish the course with a complete, polished 3D web game ready for public release, and the skills to continue developing innovative 3D experiences for the web.