3D Web Experience

## 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

### Spline (Fastest Start)
```jsx
import Spline from '@splinetool/react-spline';

export default function Scene() {
  return (
    <Spline scene="https://prod.spline.design/xxx/scene.splinecode" />
  );
}

import { Canvas } from '@react-three/fiber';
import { OrbitControls, useGLTF } from '@react-three/drei';

function Model() {
  const { scene } = useGLTF('/model.glb');
  return <primitive object={scene} />;
}

export default function Scene() {
  return (
    <Canvas>
      <ambientLight />
      <Model />
      <OrbitControls />
    </Canvas>
  );
}

### 3D Model Pipeline

Getting models web-ready

**When to use**: When preparing 3D assets

```python
## 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

### 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

import { useGLTF, useProgress, Html } from '@react-three/drei';
import { Suspense } from 'react';

function Loader() {
  const { progress } = useProgress();
  return <Html center>{progress.toFixed(0)}%</Html>;
}

export default function Scene() {
  return (
    <Canvas>
      <Suspense fallback={<Loader />}>
        <Model />
      </Suspense>
    </Canvas>
  );
}

### Scroll-Driven 3D

3D that responds to scroll

**When to use**: When integrating 3D with scroll

```python
## 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 <mesh ref={ref}>...</mesh>;
}

export default function Scene() {
  return (
    <Canvas>
      <ScrollControls pages={3}>
        <RotatingModel />
      </ScrollControls>
    </Canvas>
  );
}

import gsap from 'gsap';
import ScrollTrigger from 'gsap/ScrollTrigger';

gsap.to(camera.position, {
  scrollTrigger: {
    trigger: '.section',
    scrub: true,
  },
  z: 5,
  y: 2,
});

## Anti-Patterns

### ❌ 3D For 3D's Sake

**Why bad**: Slows down the site.
Confuses users.
Battery drain on mobile.
Doesn't help conversion.

**Instead**: 3D should serve a purpose.
Product visualization = good.
Random floating shapes = probably not.
Ask: would an image work?

### ❌ Desktop-Only 3D

**Why bad**: Most traffic is mobile.
Kills battery.
Crashes on low-end devices.
Frustrated users.

**Instead**: Test on real mobile devices.
Reduce quality on mobile.
Provide static fallback.
Consider disabling 3D on low-end.

### ❌ No Loading State

**Why bad**: Users think it's broken.
High bounce rate.
3D takes time to load.
Bad first impression.

**Instead**: Loading progress indicator.
Skeleton/placeholder.
Load 3D after page is interactive.
Optimize model size.

## Related Skills

Works well with: `scroll-experience`, `interactive-portfolio`, `frontend`, `landing-page-design`