The Future is 3D: Integrating Three.js in Next.js

The web is evolving from a 2D medium to a 3D one. With libraries like Three.js and its React renderer, React Three Fiber, it's easier than ever to integrate immersive 3D experiences into your web applications. This site is a testament to that, using Three.js to create the background animations you see.

Why 3D on the Web?

As devices become more powerful and browsers more capable, 3D experiences are becoming the standard for:

• Product visualization: Let customers explore products from every angle
• Data visualization: Represent complex data in 3D space
• Gaming: Browser-based games with console-quality graphics
• Virtual showrooms: Immersive shopping experiences
• Education: Interactive 3D models for learning

Getting Started with React Three Fiber

React Three Fiber (R3F) allows you to build your Three.js scene declaratively with reusable, self-contained components that react to state. It's a powerful paradigm that simplifies 3D development in React.

Basic Setup

npm install three @react-three/fiber @react-three/drei

Your First 3D Scene

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

function App() {
  return (
    <Canvas>
      <ambientLight intensity={0.5} />
      <pointLight position={[10, 10, 10]} />
      <mesh>
        <boxGeometry args={[1, 1, 1]} />
        <meshStandardMaterial color="hotpink" />
      </mesh>
      <OrbitControls />
    </Canvas>
  )
}

With just a few lines of code, you have a 3D scene running in your Next.js application!

Performance Considerations

When adding 3D to your Next.js app:

1. Code split: Load Three.js only when needed
2. Lazy load: Use dynamic imports for 3D components
3. Optimize models: Keep polygon counts reasonable
4. Use LOD: Implement Level of Detail for complex scenes
5. Progressive enhancement: Provide fallbacks for older devices

Example: Dynamic Import

import dynamic from 'next/dynamic'

const Scene3D = dynamic(() => import('./Scene3D'), {
  ssr: false,
  loading: () => <div>Loading 3D scene...</div>
})

Advanced Techniques

Custom Shaders

Create unique visual effects with GLSL shaders:

const CustomMaterial = shaderMaterial(
  { time: 0, color: new THREE.Color(0.2, 0.0, 0.1) },
  // Vertex shader
  `varying vec2 vUv;
   void main() {
     vUv = uv;
     gl_Position = projectionMatrix * modelViewMatrix * vec4(position, 1.0);
   }`,
  // Fragment shader
  `uniform float time;
   uniform vec3 color;
   varying vec2 vUv;
   void main() {
     gl_FragColor.rgba = vec4(color, 1.0);
   }`
)

Post-processing Effects

Add bloom, depth of field, and other effects:

import { EffectComposer, Bloom } from '@react-three/postprocessing'

<EffectComposer>
  <Bloom luminanceThreshold={0.9} intensity={0.5} />
</EffectComposer>

Real-World Applications

At Artekia, we've used Three.js in Next.js for:

• Product configurators: Allow customers to customize products in 3D
• Portfolio showcases: Display work in immersive environments
• Data dashboards: Visualize complex metrics in 3D space
• Marketing sites: Create memorable first impressions

Conclusion

The future of the web is three-dimensional. With React Three Fiber and Next.js, you have everything you need to create stunning, performant 3D experiences. The possibilities are endless—from simple product viewers to complex, interactive games.

Start small, experiment often, and remember: with great power comes great responsibility to optimize!