3d-web-experience

Use React Three Fiber with the useGLTF hook from @react-three/drei to load a GLB model inside a Canvas component. Wrap the model in Suspense with a loading fallback so users see progress while assets download.

Spline is best for quick prototypes and designer-led workflows with low learning curve. React Three Fiber suits React apps needing complex scenes and high control, while vanilla Three.js gives maximum control outside React.

Keep models under 100K polygons, bake textures, export as GLB, then compress with gltf-transform using Draco and WebP texture compression. Target under 5MB file size and always show a loading progress indicator.

Use ScrollControls and useScroll from @react-three/drei to map scroll offset to model rotation or camera position inside useFrame. Alternatively, combine GSAP ScrollTrigger with Three.js for scrubbed camera animations.

WebGL works on mobile but drains battery and can crash low-end devices. Test on real hardware, reduce rendering quality on mobile, and provide a static image fallback or disable 3D entirely for low-end devices.

Avoid 3D when it serves no functional purpose, such as decorative floating shapes that slow the page and confuse users. Use 3D for product visualization or meaningful interaction; if a static image works, prefer the image.