How to Get Started with Three.js With React Applications?

In the ever-evolving world of front-end development, the fusion of Three.js with React is nothing short of a magic trick. It's like watching a skilled magician pull a rabbit out of a hat, only this time, the magician is you, and the cap is your code editor.

Three.js, a cross-browser JavaScript library, breathes life into your 3D graphics, while React, with its declarative and component-based architecture, makes managing complex UIs a breeze. When these two join forces, they create an environment where you can build rich, interactive 3D applications with ease.

So, grab your keyboard and let's embark on this journey.

‍

Setting Up a New React Project

Before we start conjuring 3D magic, we need to set up our stage, i.e., our React project. If you've worked with React before, you know the drill. But for the uninitiated, here's how you can create a new React project.

First, we need to install Create React App, a tool that sets up a modern web app by running one command. You can install it globally on your system using the following command:

1     npm install -g create-react-app
2     

Now, let's create a new React project:

1     npx create-react-app threejs-react-app
2     

This command creates a new directory named threejs-react-app and sets up a new React application inside it.

Now, navigate into your new project:

1     cd threejs-react-app
2     

And just like that, our stage is set! We're now ready to start our Three.js and React adventure. But remember, every good magician needs a trusty assistant, and that's where WiseGPT comes into play. This AI tool can help you write code in your style, making the development process smoother and more efficient. It's like having your own personal coding wizard, ready to assist whenever you need it.

In the next section, we'll start adding some 3D magic to our React app. So, stay tuned!

‍

Installing and Importing React Three Fiber

Now that we have our React project set up, it's time to introduce the star of our show: React Three Fiber. React Three Fiber is a powerful React renderer for Three.js. It brings the declarative and component-based nature of React to the world of 3D graphics.

Let's install React Three Fiber in our project:

1     npm install @react-three/fiber
2     

With React Three Fiber installed, we can now import it into our project. Let's modify our App.js file to import React Three Fiber:

1     import React from 'react';
2    import { Canvas } from '@react-three/fiber';
3    
4    function App() {
5      return (
6        <div className="App">
7          <Canvas>
8            {/* Our 3D components will go here */}
9          </Canvas>
10        </div>
11      );
12    }
13    
14    export default App;
15     

In the code above, we're importing the Canvas component from React Three Fiber. This component creates a canvas that Three.js can draw on. All our 3D components will be children of this Canvas component.

‍

Creating Your First React Three Fiber Scene

With our stage set and our star performer ready, it's time to create our first 3D scene using React Three Fiber. A scene in Three.js is like a stage where all the 3D objects are placed.

Let's add a simple cube to our scene. We'll use the mesh component from React Three Fiber, which is a self-contained component that includes geometry (the shape of the object) and material (the color or texture of the object).

1     import React from 'react';
2    import { Canvas } from '@react-three/fiber';
3    
4    function Box() {
5      return (
6        <mesh>
7          <boxBufferGeometry args={[1, 1, 1]} />
8          <meshStandardMaterial color={'orange'} />
9        </mesh>
10      );
11    }
12    
13    function App() {
14      return (
15        <div className="App">
16          <Canvas>
17            <Box />
18          </Canvas>
19        </div>
20      );
21    }
22    
23    export default App;
24     

In the code above, we've created a Box functional component that returns a mesh component. The mesh component has two children: boxBufferGeometry and meshStandardMaterial. The boxBufferGeometry component defines the shape of the box, and the args prop specifies the dimensions of the box. The meshStandardMaterial component defines the colour of the box.

‍

Understanding Mesh Geometry in Three.js with React

Now that we've got a taste of creating 3D objects, let's delve deeper into the concept of mesh geometry. In Three.js, a mesh is an object that takes a geometry, and applies a material to it, which we can then insert into our scene.

In the previous section, we created a box geometry, but Three.js offers a variety of other geometries like spheres, cylinders, toruses, and more. Let's create a sphere this time:

1     import React from 'react';
2    import { Canvas } from '@react-three/fiber';
3    
4    function Sphere() {
5      return (
6        <mesh>
7          <sphereBufferGeometry args={[1, 30, 30]} />
8          <meshStandardMaterial color={'green'} />
9        </mesh>
10      );
11    }
12    
13    function App() {
14      return (
15        <div className="App">
16          <Canvas>
17            <Sphere />
18          </Canvas>
19        </div>
20      );
21    }
22    
23    export default App;
24     

In the code above, we've created a Sphere functional component that returns a mesh component. The sphereBufferGeometry component defines the shape of the sphere, and the args prop specifies the radius and the number of vertical and horizontal segments of the sphere.

‍

Entity Management System in Three.js and React

As we dive deeper into the world of Three.js and React, it's essential to understand how to manage multiple entities in our 3D scene. An entity management system is a method of handling game entities, which in our case, are the 3D objects in our scene.

In the context of Three.js and React, each entity (3D object) can be considered as a self-contained component. This means that each entity has its own state and properties, and can be rendered independently of other entities.

Let's add another entity to our scene. This time, we'll add a torus:

1     import React from 'react';
2    import { Canvas } from '@react-three/fiber';
3    
4    function Torus() {
5      return (
6        <mesh>
7          <torusBufferGeometry args={[1, 0.4, 16, 100]} />
8          <meshStandardMaterial color={'blue'} />
9        </mesh>
10      );
11    }
12    
13    function App() {
14      return (
15        <div className="App">
16          <Canvas>
17            <Torus />
18          </Canvas>
19        </div>
20      );
21    }
22    
23    export default App;
24     

In the code above, we've created a Torus functional component that returns a mesh component. The torusBufferGeometry component defines the shape of the torus, and the args prop specifies the radius, tube diameter, radial segments, and tubular segments of the torus.

‍

State Management in React: Atoms, Flux, and Proxy

As our 3D scenes become more complex, managing the state of our entities becomes crucial. In React, state is a built-in feature that allows components to create and manage their own data. So, unlike props, a component's state is not passed from the outside, but is managed within the component itself.

There are several state management strategies in React, including Atoms, Flux, and Proxy. Let's briefly touch upon each of these:

• Atoms: Atoms-based state management is a modern approach that treats your state as discrete pieces of data, or "atoms". Each atom represents a small piece of state, and components can subscribe to these atoms to get updates.
• Flux: Flux is a pattern for managing state in React applications, where data flows in a unidirectional way. It was developed by Facebook to complement React's component-based architecture.
• Proxy: Proxy-based state management involves wrapping your state object in a Proxy, which allows you to intercept and customize operations performed on that object.

While we won't dive into the specifics of implementing these strategies in this post, it's important to know that they exist and can be incredibly useful in managing complex state in your 3D scenes.

‍

Layer-Based Shader Materials in Three.js with React

As we continue our journey through the magical world of Three.js and React, let's turn our attention to another fascinating aspect: layer-based shader materials.

Shader materials in Three.js allow you to create your own custom materials with shader programs, giving you the ultimate control over how your objects are rendered. Layer-based shader materials take this a step further by allowing you to layer multiple materials on a single object.

Let's create a custom shader material for our torus:

1     import React from 'react';
2    import { Canvas, useLoader } from '@react-three/fiber';
3    import { TextureLoader } from 'three';
4    
5    function Torus() {
6      const texture = useLoader(TextureLoader, '/path/to/texture.jpg');
7    
8      return (
9        <mesh>
10          <torusBufferGeometry args={[1, 0.4, 16, 100]} />
11          <shaderMaterial attach="material" uniforms={{ texture: { value: texture } }} />
12        </mesh>
13      );
14    }
15    
16    function App() {
17      return (
18        <div className="App">
19          <Canvas>
20            <Torus />
21          </Canvas>
22        </div>
23      );
24    }
25    
26    export default App;
27     

In the code above, we're using the useLoader hook from React Three Fiber to load a texture, and then passing this texture to our custom shaderMaterial.

‍

Direct Access and React's Scheduling Abilities

As we continue to explore the magical world of Three.js and React, let's discuss two important concepts: direct access and React's scheduling abilities.

Direct access is a feature provided by React Three Fiber that allows you to access the native Three.js objects directly. This can be incredibly useful when you need to perform operations that are not directly supported by React Three Fiber.

React's scheduling abilities, on the other hand, allow you to control when and how updates are applied to your components. This can be particularly useful in a 3D application, where you might have animations or other updates that need to be synchronized with the render loop.

Let's see how we can use direct access to animate our torus:

1     import React, { useRef } from 'react';
2    import { Canvas, useFrame } from '@react-three/fiber';
3    
4    function Torus() {
5      const meshRef = useRef();
6    
7      useFrame(() => {
8        if (meshRef.current) {
9          meshRef.current.rotation.x += 0.01;
10          meshRef.current.rotation.y += 0.01;
11        }
12      });
13    
14      return (
15        <mesh ref={meshRef}>
16          <torusBufferGeometry args={[1, 0.4, 16, 100]} />
17          <meshStandardMaterial color={'blue'} />
18        </mesh>
19      );
20    }
21    
22    function App() {
23      return (
24        <div className="App">
25          <Canvas>
26            <Torus />
27          </Canvas>
28        </div>
29      );
30    }
31    
32    export default App;
33     

In the code above, we're using the useRef hook to get a reference to our mesh object, and the useFrame hook to update the rotation of the torus on each frame.

‍

Creating GUI Controls in React Three Fiber

As we continue our journey in the magical world of Three.js and React, let's discuss GUI controls. GUI controls allow users to interact with your 3D scene, making it more dynamic and engaging.

React Three Fiber doesn't come with built-in GUI controls, but we can easily integrate a library like dat.GUI to add GUI controls to our application.

Let's add a GUI control to change the color of our torus:

1     import React, { useRef, useState } from 'react';
2    import { Canvas, useFrame } from '@react-three/fiber';
3    import { GUI } from 'dat.gui';
4    
5    function Torus() {
6      const meshRef = useRef();
7      const [color, setColor] = useState('#0000ff');
8    
9      useFrame(() => {
10        if (meshRef.current) {
11          meshRef.current.rotation.x += 0.01;
12          meshRef.current.rotation.y += 0.01;
13        }
14      });
15    
16      const gui = new GUI();
17      gui.addColor({ color }, 'color').onChange(setColor);
18    
19      return (
20        <mesh ref={meshRef}>
21          <torusBufferGeometry args={[1, 0.4, 16, 100]} />
22          <meshStandardMaterial color={color} />
23        </mesh>
24      );
25    }
26    
27    function App() {
28      return (
29        <div className="App">
30          <Canvas>
31            <Torus />
32          </Canvas>
33        </div>
34      );
35    }
36    
37    export default App;
38     

In the code above, we're using the dat.GUI library to create a color picker GUI control. The color picker allows the user to change the color of the torus in real-time.

‍

Post-Processing Effects in Three.js with React

As we continue our magical journey through Three.js and React, let's add some sparkle to our 3D scene with post-processing effects. Post-processing is the process of applying full-screen effects to a scene after it has been rendered. These effects can significantly enhance the visual appeal of your 3D scene.

React Three Fiber provides a useEffectfulState hook that we can use to create post-processing effects. Let's add a bloom effect to our scene:

1     import React, { useRef, useState } from 'react';
2    import { Canvas, useFrame, extend, useThree } from '@react-three/fiber';
3    import { GUI } from 'dat.gui';
4    import { BloomPass } from 'three/examples/jsm/postprocessing/BloomPass';
5    import { EffectComposer } from 'three/examples/jsm/postprocessing/EffectComposer';
6    import { RenderPass } from 'three/examples/jsm/postprocessing/RenderPass';
7    
8    extend({ BloomPass, EffectComposer, RenderPass });
9    
10    function Torus() {
11      const meshRef = useRef();
12      const [color, setColor] = useState('#0000ff');
13      const { gl, scene, camera, size } = useThree();
14    
15      useFrame(() => {
16        if (meshRef.current) {
17          meshRef.current.rotation.x += 0.01;
18          meshRef.current.rotation.y += 0.01;
19        }
20      });
21    
22      const gui = new GUI();
23      gui.addColor({ color }, 'color').onChange(setColor);
24    
25      const composer = useRef();
26      useEffectfulState(() => {
27        const comp = new EffectComposer(gl);
28        comp.addPass(new RenderPass(scene, camera));
29        comp.addPass(new BloomPass(1.5, 25, 5.0, 256));
30        return comp;
31      }, [gl, camera, scene]);
32    
33      useFrame(() => composer.current.render(), 1);
34    
35      return (
36        <mesh ref={meshRef}>
37          <torusBufferGeometry args={[1, 0.4, 16, 100]} />
38          <meshStandardMaterial color={color} />
39        </mesh>
40      );
41    }
42    
43    function App() {
44      return (
45        <div className="App">
46          <Canvas>
47            <Torus />
48          </Canvas>
49        </div>
50      );
51    }
52    
53    export default App;
54     

In the code above, we're using the useEffectfulState hook to create an EffectComposer that applies a BloomPass to our scene. The BloomPass creates a bloom (glow) effect by blurring the scene's highlights.

With the power of React Three Fiber and Three.js, you can create stunning visual effects in your 3D scenes. And with WiseGPT by your side, you can write code in your style, integrate APIs, and generate your UI in VSCode. It's like having a personal coding wizard that understands your coding style!

‍

Constructive Solid Geometry in Three.js with React

As we continue to explore the magical world of Three.js and React, let's delve into the concept of Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG). CSG is a technique used in solid modeling that combines basic shapes to create complex ones. It's like building with blocks, but in a 3D world.

Three.js doesn't support CSG out of the box, but we can use the three-csg-ts library to add CSG capabilities to our application. Let's create a complex shape by combining a box and a sphere:

1     import React, { useMemo } from 'react';
2    import { Canvas } from '@react-three/fiber';
3    import { BoxGeometry, SphereGeometry, Mesh } from 'three';
4    import { fromGeometry } from 'three-csg-ts';
5    
6    function ComplexShape() {
7      const geometry = useMemo(() => {
8        const boxGeo = new BoxGeometry(1, 1, 1);
9        const sphereGeo = new SphereGeometry(1);
10        const boxBSP = fromGeometry(boxGeo);
11        const sphereBSP = fromGeometry(sphereGeo);
12        const resultBSP = boxBSP.union(sphereBSP);
13        return resultBSP.toGeometry();
14      }, []);
15    
16      return (
17        <mesh geometry={geometry}>
18          <meshStandardMaterial color={'purple'} />
19        </mesh>
20      );
21    }
22    
23    function App() {
24      return (
25        <div className="App">
26          <Canvas>
27            <ComplexShape />
28          </Canvas>
29        </div>
30      );
31    }
32    
33    export default App;
34     

In the code above, we're creating a BoxGeometry and a SphereGeometry, converting them to CSG objects, performing a union operation to combine them, and then converting the result back to a Three.js geometry.

‍

User Input and Binding Events in Three.js with React

As we continue our journey through the magical world of Three.js and React, let's discuss user input and event binding. User input, such as mouse clicks or keyboard presses, can make your 3D scene interactive and engaging.

React Three Fiber provides a useThree hook that gives you access to the state of the Three.js scene, including the user's input. Let's add an event listener to our torus that changes its color when it's clicked:

1     import React, { useRef, useState } from 'react';
2    import { Canvas, useFrame } from '@react-three/fiber';
3    import { GUI } from 'dat.gui';
4    
5    function Torus() {
6      const meshRef = useRef();
7      const [color, setColor] = useState('#0000ff');
8    
9      useFrame(() => {
10        if (meshRef.current) {
11          meshRef.current.rotation.x += 0.01;
12          meshRef.current.rotation.y += 0.01;
13        }
14      });
15    
16      const gui = new GUI();
17      gui.addColor({ color }, 'color').onChange(setColor);
18    
19      const handleClick = () => {
20        setColor('#' + Math.floor(Math.random()*16777215).toString(16));
21      };
22    
23      return (
24        <mesh ref={meshRef} onClick={handleClick}>
25          <torusBufferGeometry args={[1, 0.4, 16, 100]} />
26          <meshStandardMaterial color={color} />
27        </mesh>
28      );
29    }
30    
31    function App() {
32      return (
33        <div className="App">
34          <Canvas>
35            <Torus />
36          </Canvas>
37        </div>
38      );
39    }
40    
41    export default App;
42     

In the code above, we've added an onClick event listener to our mesh component. When the torus is clicked, the handleClick function is called, which changes the colour of the torus to a random colour.

‍

React Three Fiber and Realistic Path Tracing

As we continue our journey through the magical world of Three.js and React, let's discuss a more advanced topic: realistic path tracing. Path tracing is a rendering method that simulates the way light travels and interacts with objects, resulting in highly realistic visuals.

Three.js doesn't support path tracing out of the box, but we can use the three-pathtracing-renderer library to add path-tracing capabilities to our application. Let's create a simple scene with path tracing:

1     import React, { useRef, useState } from 'react';
2    import { Canvas, useFrame, extend } from '@react-three/fiber';
3    import { PathTracingRenderer } from 'three-pathtracing-renderer';
4    
5    extend({ PathTracingRenderer });
6    
7    function Scene() {
8      const { scene, camera, gl } = useThree();
9      const [renderer] = useState(() => new PathTracingRenderer());
10    
11      useFrame(() => {
12        renderer.render(scene, camera);
13      }, 1);
14    
15      return null;
16    }
17    
18    function App() {
19      return (
20        <div className="App">
21          <Canvas gl={{ powerPreference: 'high-performance' }} camera={{ position: [0, 0, 5] }}>
22            <Scene />
23            {/* Your 3D objects go here */}
24          </Canvas>
25        </div>
26      );
27    }
28    
29    export default App;
30     

In the code above, we're creating a PathTracingRenderer and using it to render our scene. The useFrame hook ensures that our scene is re-rendered on every frame.

‍

Unit Testing in a React Three Fiber Project

As we continue our journey through the magical world of Three.js and React, let's discuss an important aspect of any development process: unit testing. Unit tests allow us to verify that our code is working as expected, and they're particularly important in a complex application like a 3D scene.

React provides a set of testing utilities that we can use to write unit tests for our React Three Fiber components. Let's write a simple unit test for our Torus component:

1     import React from 'react';
2    import { render } from '@testing-library/react';
3    import Torus from './Torus';
4    
5    test('renders without crashing', () => {
6      const { getByTestId } = render(<Torus />);
7      const torus = getByTestId('torus');
8      expect(torus).toBeInTheDocument();
9    });
10     

In the code above, we're using the render function from @testing-library/react to render our Torus component, and then we're using the getByTestId function to find the torus in the document. The expect function checks that the torus is indeed in the document.

‍

Exploring the Extensive Eco System of Three.js with React

As we continue our magical journey through Three.js and React, let's take a moment to appreciate the extensive ecosystem that surrounds these two technologies. From libraries and tools to tutorials and communities, there's a wealth of resources available to help you create stunning 3D scenes.

Here are a few notable parts of this ecosystem:

• Libraries and Tools: In addition to React Three Fiber, there are several other libraries and tools that can enhance your Three.js and React projects. For example, drei provides a collection of reusable components and helpers for React Three Fiber, and react-three-gui offers a GUI for changing your scene's properties in real time.
• Tutorials and Learning Resources: There's a wealth of tutorials and learning resources available online. For example, the Three.js and React Three Fiber documentation are great places to start. There are also numerous blogs, video tutorials, and online courses that can help you deepen your understanding of these technologies.
• Communities: There are several online communities where you can connect with other Three.js and React developers, ask questions, share your work, and learn from others. For example, the Three.js and React sections on Stack Overflow, the Reactiflux Discord community, and the Three.js subreddit are all active and welcoming communities.

‍

Conclusion: The Power of Three.js with React and WiseGPT

As we reach the end of our magical journey through Three.js and React, let's take a moment to reflect on the power of these technologies. Together, they allow us to create stunning, interactive 3D scenes right in our web browser. But the magic doesn't stop there.

With WiseGPT by our side, we can write code in our style, integrate APIs, and extend our UI in VSCode. It's like having a personal coding wizard that understands our coding style and helps us create even more magical experiences.

But remember, the journey doesn't end here. There's so much more to explore in the world of Three.js and React. From advanced rendering techniques to complex animations, the possibilities are endless. So, keep learning, keep exploring, and keep creating magic.

And remember, whether you're a seasoned wizard or a budding magician, WiseGPT is always here to assist you. So, don't hesitate to call upon it whenever you need a little extra magic in your code.

That's it for this post. I hope you enjoyed this magical journey through Three.js and React as much as I did. Until next time, keep the magic alive!

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