Professional paper
WebGL and 3D graphic advances on the Internet
Domagoj Trojko
; Graditeljska škola, Športska 1, 40000 Čakovec, Croatia
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* Corresponding author.
Abstract
With the development of web technology, the speed of data transfer as well as with advances in computer hardware technology, the requirements for a richer user experience on the web are here. Big names in the computer industry have decided to form a working group which will develop the technology for displaying interactive 3D and 2D graphics of high performance that can be displayed in any compatible browser. The result of the working group is WebGL, a JavaScript API – a technology which uses the resources of the devices GPU and doesn't require any additional plug-ins. This was how a revolution was started which enabled rich user experience through browsers. This library, regarding the evolution speed of web technologies, can't cope with the newest technical requirements, so a WebGL 2.0 standard followed, and the newest WebGPU standard is in the process of implementation.
Working with WebGL implies a wide and deep understanding of JavaScript development as well as good mathematic knowledge, because WebGL is a low-level programming language because it must communicate with the device's hardware. That's why, soon after WebGL was published, libraries where developed which facilitate working with WebGL. Most popular library, at this time, is three.js which makes working with WebGL significantly easier, because it takes care of scene, shadow, texture, material, math and other essential things needed for 3D model display, and WebGL requires developers to do these things by themselves.
Keywords
3D, graphics, WebGL, WebGPU, three.js, JavaScript
Hrčak ID:
318658
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2024.
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