Get a quick introduction to WebGL, the new standard for 3D rendering on the Web and a member of HTML5’s family of technologies. With this hands-on guide, you’ll learn essential WebGL development and production concepts, using the JavaScript 3D engine Three.js. At the end of the book, you’ll put everything together and build a full 3D application with WebGL.

You don’t have to be a game development wizard or have 3D graphics experience to get started. If you use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript—and have familiarity with JQuery and Ajax—this book will help you gain a working knowledge of WebGL through clear and simple examples.

• Understand core 3D graphics concepts and how to implement them in WebGL
• Create WebGL sample pages as you learn, and build a racing game application in the final chapter
• Get to know the Three.js open source library in detail
• Develop working knowledge of graphics rendering, texturing, animation, interaction, and behaviors
• Seamlessly integrate 3D graphics with other content on the page
• Learn the tools, file formats, and techniques for developing robust and secure applications in a production environment

"WebGL: Up and Running is an ideal introduction to the world of 3D programming on the web. It’s well-written, clear, and fun. I wish it had been around when I started learning!"

—Giles Thomas

As virtual reality approaches mainstream consumer use, a vibrant development ecosystem has emerged in the past few years. This hands-on guide takes you through VR development essentials for desktop, mobile, and browser-based applications. You’ll explore the three go-to platforms—OculusVR, Gear VR, and Cardboard VR—as well as several VR development environments, programming tools, and techniques.

If you’re an experienced programmer familiar with mobile development, this book will help you gain a working knowledge of VR development through clear and simple examples. Once you create a complete application in the final chapter, you’ll have a jumpstart on the next major entertainment medium.

• Learn VR basics for UI design, 3D graphics, and stereo rendering
• Explore Unity3D, the current development choice among game engines
• Create native applications for desktop computers with the Oculus Rift
• Develop mobile applications for Samsung’s Gear VR with the Android and Oculus Mobile SDKs
• Build browser-based applications with the WebVR Javascript API and WebGL
• Create simple and affordable mobile apps for any smartphone with Google’s Cardboard VR
• Bring everything together to build a 360-degree panoramic photo viewer

Create high-performance, visually stunning 3D applications for the Web, using HTML5 and related technologies such as CSS3 and WebGL—the emerging web graphics standard. With this book, you’ll learn how to use the tools, frameworks, and libraries for building 3D models and animations, mind-blowing visual effects, and advanced user interaction in both desktop and mobile browsers.

In two parts—Foundations and Application Development Techniques—author Tony Parisi provides a thorough grounding in theory and practice for designing everything from a simple 3D product viewer to immersive games and interactive training systems. Ideal for developers with Javascript and HTML experience.

• Explore HTML5 APIs and related technologies for creating 3D web graphics, including WebGL, Canvas, and CSS
• Work with the popular JavaScript 3D rendering and animation libraries Three.js and Tween.js
• Delve into the 3D content creation pipeline, and the modeling and animation tools for creating killer 3D content
• Look into several game engines and frameworks for building 3D applications, including the author’s Vizi framework
• Create 3D environments with multiple objects and complex interaction, using examples and supporting code
• Examine the issues involved in building WebGL-based 3D applications for mobile browsers