WebGL is a permanent part of internet as we know it, WebVR is settling in and WebAR is taking its first steps. Not only has the technology became more advanced, but the tools have become simpler and more accessible for developers and designers. For more accessible tools, see our guide to the best website builder and secure cloud storage.
Thinking of dipping your toe in? Here are eight amazing 3D web demos by digital artist Marpi (opens in new tab) that will inspire you to get started.
01. Mass Migrations (opens in new tab)
Mass Migrations on GitHub (opens in new tab)
A fully generative environment, filled with heavily anime-inspired mecha-like robots/spaceships. It started as a prototype and ended up a large scale art installation, VR world and a 3D printed collection of people's creations.
02. Codeology (opens in new tab)
Codeology on GitHub (opens in new tab)
Visualising any public GitHub project as a unique 3D ASCII creature, determining its combination of shapes, colours and size based on the coding languages used within. Press Alt + 1, 2, 3… for cheat codes.
03. Spider (opens in new tab)
Spider on GitHub (opens in new tab)
Proof of concept for making a generative spider movement that would feel real – and trigger the same feelings spiders that do. The look, bones animation and movement are generated from pure code, so you do feel afraid of JavaScript.
04. Eutow (opens in new tab)
Eutow on GitHub (opens in new tab)
One sunny September day, a conversation with Indian artist Archan Nair sparked an ongoing collaboration. There's a special mix of appreciation of building 3D worlds, virtual reality and hallucinogenic-themed visual systems.
05. Black Rain (opens in new tab)
Black Rain on GitHub (opens in new tab)
A mix of melancholy and maps, refractions and reflections, a cold NY night in the rain, amazing and haunting. Mix Codrops' rain experiments from Lucas Bebber with Archan Nair's visuals, touching on Blade Runner's territory.
06. Odra (opens in new tab)
Odra on GitHub (opens in new tab)
What if music was generated the same way as graphics? They both have themes, systems and are built from smaller pieces that have to work together. And since it's mixed with those generative creatures, in a way, they're playing live.
07. Maratropa (opens in new tab)
Maratropa on GitHub (opens in new tab)
Imagining the Twitter universe as a, well, universe. Each profile becomes an abstract, religious-like statue with their followers around it. You can jump between them in three dimensions, using node structure, forming sort of an artificial brain.
08. Biomes (opens in new tab)
Biomes on GitHub (opens in new tab)
An exploration of generative landscapes, somewhere between Minecraft and Alien universes, with SSAO and Screen Space Reflections using super shiny EchartsGL engine this time. The land long before time.
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This article originally appeared in Web Designer (opens in new tab) issue 265. Buy it here (opens in new tab).
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