Difference between revisions of "Why Verge3D if we have Three.js?"
| (41 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
It's | [[Category:Overviews]]{{#seo: | ||
|description=Herein we compare Verge3D with the popular WebGL library Three.js trying to elaborate the main differences between these two. What Verge3D users pay money for? | |||
|keywords=Verge3D, ThreeJS, WebGL, BabylonJS, Blender, 3ds Max, Maya, HTML5, Google, Microsoft, Open-Source, glTF | |||
|image=verge3d_vs_threejs.png | |||
}} | |||
{{Personal}} | |||
[[File:verge3d_vs_threejs.png|right|thumb]] | |||
It's no secret that Verge3D originated from the popular WebGL framework called [https://threejs.org/ Three.js]. Three.js is open-source, so you can download and use it completely free of charge. So what makes Verge3D worth the money? | |||
== Way better Blender, 3ds Max, or Maya integration == | == Way better Blender, 3ds Max, or Maya integration == | ||
| Line 6: | Line 13: | ||
With Verge3D it's a completely different story. The framework was designed to be an artist-friendly tool. You just need to have some Blender, 3ds Max, or Maya skills to make any kind of 3D web content with Verge3D. Moreover, it supports features of these modelling suites (cameras, lights, shadows, constraints, animation, etc) natively and strives to make Verge3D renderings look exactly the same. | With Verge3D it's a completely different story. The framework was designed to be an artist-friendly tool. You just need to have some Blender, 3ds Max, or Maya skills to make any kind of 3D web content with Verge3D. Moreover, it supports features of these modelling suites (cameras, lights, shadows, constraints, animation, etc) natively and strives to make Verge3D renderings look exactly the same. | ||
[[File:blender_3ds_max_maya.png|1060px]] | |||
For example, there is a nice Verge3D feature called '''Sneak Peek''': | |||
[[File:blender_sneak_peek.jpg|929px]] | |||
This magic button is available right in Blender (or 3ds Max, or Maya). By clicking on it, the user exports the entire scene to a temporary location and immediately opens it in the preferred web browser. | |||
== Code-Less Programming == | == Code-Less Programming == | ||
Three.js requires you to have good programming skills. Since it's quite rare for a person be a good artist and a good coder, you need at least two specialists to make a non-trivial 3D web application | Three.js requires you to have good programming skills. Since it's quite rare for a person be a good artist and a good coder at the same time, you need at least two specialists to make a non-trivial 3D web application with Three.js. Basically, the artist creates content compatible with glTF 2.0 standard, and then the coder creates an interactive app based on this content. | ||
Verge3D user is | A typical Verge3D user is an artist. He or she can design content, create an app, and then do "programming" using the visual logic tool called [https://www.soft8soft.com/docs/manual/en/introduction/Puzzles-Visual-Logic-Editor.html Puzzles]. Puzzles is both powerful and easy-to-use. | ||
See it yourself. The following example makes default Cube clickable and replaces it by a spinning Utah Teapot: | See it for yourself. The following example makes default Cube clickable and replaces it by a spinning Utah Teapot: | ||
[[File:Puzzles_example.jpg|907px]] | [[File:Puzzles_example.jpg|907px]] | ||
| Line 21: | Line 33: | ||
== Beyond glTF 2.0 == | == Beyond glTF 2.0 == | ||
glTF 2.0 is a great format. The major drawback | glTF 2.0 is a great format. The major drawback is lack of many features which are absolutely required to create full-featured 3D web applications. This includes lights, shadows, complex node-based materials, post-processing effects, features to control animation playback, constraints, and many more. Of course, there are dozens of [https://github.com/KhronosGroup/glTF/tree/master/extensions glTF 2.0 extensions] which improve the situation. However, they are required to be supported in the modelling suit exporters and sometimes you need even more JavaScript coding to make them work. But what's even worse, these extensions are made to be modelling-suite independent. So, integration with Blender, 3ds Max, or Maya is not that good. | ||
Verge3D is based on glTF 2.0 standard but it's more than that! Thanks to the custom S8S extensions, you can make your assets feature-rich right away. There is no need for third-party extensions and complex JavaScript coding to make your scene look awesome out-of-the-box. | Verge3D is based on glTF 2.0 standard but it's more than that! Thanks to the custom [[GLTF extensions supported by Verge3D|S8S-prefixed extensions]], you can make your assets feature-rich right away. There is no need for third-party extensions and complex JavaScript coding to make your scene look awesome out-of-the-box. | ||
[[File:Scooter.jpg|982px]] | [[File:Scooter.jpg|982px]] | ||
| Line 32: | Line 44: | ||
Contrary to that, Verge3D is developed by Soft8Soft, the company that offers official technical support for their enterprise-grade customers. | Contrary to that, Verge3D is developed by Soft8Soft, the company that offers official technical support for their enterprise-grade customers. | ||
== It's not influenced by a large multinational corporation == | |||
Earlier we said that Three.js does not belong to any company officially. Still, the lead developer and main contributor to this software is an employee at Google. Of course, there are benefits of being under the umbrella of the large corporation. Still there are risks, since Three.js is not profitable and do not affect Google income directly. This situation does not allow to say about stable development, since any activity that does not generate enough cash [https://killedbygoogle.com/ may get cut] at any time. | |||
BTW, the same story is with Babylon.js, another popular WebGL toolkit, which is developed by two Microsoft employees. | |||
[[File:umbrella.png|Biohazard!|512px]] | |||
On the other hand, Verge3D is developed by a small yet dedicated team which depends on your success. | |||
== App Manager == | == App Manager == | ||
Verge3D comes with App Manager, a tool which offers many important features: | Verge3D comes with the App Manager, a tool which offers many important features: | ||
* Creating ready-to-use applications based on templates. | * Creating ready-to-use applications based on templates. | ||
| Line 46: | Line 68: | ||
== Verge3D Network == | == Verge3D Network == | ||
Three.js is just a library. It does not include any services to help you make your app available online. With Verge3D Network, an easy-to-use hosting and CDN platform, you can get | Three.js is just a library. It does not include any services to help you make your app available online. With Verge3D Network, an easy-to-use hosting and CDN platform, you can get your app published in seconds. Moreover, your content will be shared on multple servers around the globe delivering maximum transfer rates possible. | ||
[[File:amazon_edge_locations.png|Verge3D Network server locations|530px]] | |||
Still, hosting on Verge3D Network is optional, so there is no vendor lock-in and other nasty stuff. | |||
== More == | == More Neat Things == | ||
There is more. Verge3D comes with: | There is more. Verge3D comes with: | ||
* More stable JavaScript API. | |||
* Cooler [https://www.soft8soft.com/docs/manual/en/index.html documentation]. | * Cooler [https://www.soft8soft.com/docs/manual/en/index.html documentation]. | ||
* Official [https://www.soft8soft.com/get-verge3d/ tutorial videos] to help you get started. | * Official [https://www.soft8soft.com/get-verge3d/ tutorial videos] to help you get started. | ||
* Nice [https://www.soft8soft.com/forums forums] and [https://discord.com/invite/vGMAAED Discord channel]. | * Nice [https://www.soft8soft.com/forums forums] and [https://discord.com/invite/vGMAAED Discord channel]. | ||
* [[ | * [[List of Verge3D Plugins|Plugins]]! | ||
* Out-of-the-box asset compression. | * Out-of-the-box asset compression. | ||
* Ready-to-use material libraries. | * Ready-to-use material libraries. | ||
* Easy integration with HTML builders, such as | * Easy integration with HTML builders, such as Webflow. | ||
* Source-code compatibility with Three.js. | |||
... and of course this [[Main Page|Community Wiki]] that everyone can edit! | ... and of course this [[Main Page|Community Wiki]] that everyone can edit! | ||
== Get Verge3D Now! == | |||
Explore Verge3D using the [https://www.soft8soft.com/get-verge3d/ full-featured trial] with a bunch of production-ready examples. No email registration, no time limit, no strings attached. | |||
Latest revision as of 20:08, 1 May 2024
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official policy or position of the Soft8Soft company.
It's no secret that Verge3D originated from the popular WebGL framework called Three.js. Three.js is open-source, so you can download and use it completely free of charge. So what makes Verge3D worth the money?
Way better Blender, 3ds Max, or Maya integration
Older versions of Three.js included exporters for these modelling suits, but it's not the case anymore. Instead, you should rely on third-party exporters to the glTF 2.0 format and GLTFLoader plugin which should be attached to your application by hand (it's not part of the Three.js core library). Basically, to make something you need to constrain your scene features to fit into glTF 2.0 standard and be a JavaScript coder to be able to render something with Three.js.
With Verge3D it's a completely different story. The framework was designed to be an artist-friendly tool. You just need to have some Blender, 3ds Max, or Maya skills to make any kind of 3D web content with Verge3D. Moreover, it supports features of these modelling suites (cameras, lights, shadows, constraints, animation, etc) natively and strives to make Verge3D renderings look exactly the same.
For example, there is a nice Verge3D feature called Sneak Peek:
This magic button is available right in Blender (or 3ds Max, or Maya). By clicking on it, the user exports the entire scene to a temporary location and immediately opens it in the preferred web browser.
Code-Less Programming
Three.js requires you to have good programming skills. Since it's quite rare for a person be a good artist and a good coder at the same time, you need at least two specialists to make a non-trivial 3D web application with Three.js. Basically, the artist creates content compatible with glTF 2.0 standard, and then the coder creates an interactive app based on this content.
A typical Verge3D user is an artist. He or she can design content, create an app, and then do "programming" using the visual logic tool called Puzzles. Puzzles is both powerful and easy-to-use.
See it for yourself. The following example makes default Cube clickable and replaces it by a spinning Utah Teapot:
Beyond glTF 2.0
glTF 2.0 is a great format. The major drawback is lack of many features which are absolutely required to create full-featured 3D web applications. This includes lights, shadows, complex node-based materials, post-processing effects, features to control animation playback, constraints, and many more. Of course, there are dozens of glTF 2.0 extensions which improve the situation. However, they are required to be supported in the modelling suit exporters and sometimes you need even more JavaScript coding to make them work. But what's even worse, these extensions are made to be modelling-suite independent. So, integration with Blender, 3ds Max, or Maya is not that good.
Verge3D is based on glTF 2.0 standard but it's more than that! Thanks to the custom S8S-prefixed extensions, you can make your assets feature-rich right away. There is no need for third-party extensions and complex JavaScript coding to make your scene look awesome out-of-the-box.
Enterprise-grade Technical Support
Three.js is an open-source project developed by more than a thousand people! Most of them write code in their spare time, and do not get paid for their work. Officially, Three.js does not belong to any company and there are no "customers", only "users". As such, you can't get direct technical support from Three.js developers. You can ask in community groups for help, however there is no guarantee that your issue will be resolved.
Contrary to that, Verge3D is developed by Soft8Soft, the company that offers official technical support for their enterprise-grade customers.
It's not influenced by a large multinational corporation
Earlier we said that Three.js does not belong to any company officially. Still, the lead developer and main contributor to this software is an employee at Google. Of course, there are benefits of being under the umbrella of the large corporation. Still there are risks, since Three.js is not profitable and do not affect Google income directly. This situation does not allow to say about stable development, since any activity that does not generate enough cash may get cut at any time.
BTW, the same story is with Babylon.js, another popular WebGL toolkit, which is developed by two Microsoft employees.
On the other hand, Verge3D is developed by a small yet dedicated team which depends on your success.
App Manager
Verge3D comes with the App Manager, a tool which offers many important features:
- Creating ready-to-use applications based on templates.
- Running apps, opening models, using Puzzles editor, working with project files from one place.
- Creating Desktop and Mobile apps.
- Updating apps.
- Getting informed when new Verge3D version is out.
- Uploading files to Verge3D Network.
Verge3D Network
Three.js is just a library. It does not include any services to help you make your app available online. With Verge3D Network, an easy-to-use hosting and CDN platform, you can get your app published in seconds. Moreover, your content will be shared on multple servers around the globe delivering maximum transfer rates possible.
Still, hosting on Verge3D Network is optional, so there is no vendor lock-in and other nasty stuff.
More Neat Things
There is more. Verge3D comes with:
- More stable JavaScript API.
- Cooler documentation.
- Official tutorial videos to help you get started.
- Nice forums and Discord channel.
- Plugins!
- Out-of-the-box asset compression.
- Ready-to-use material libraries.
- Easy integration with HTML builders, such as Webflow.
- Source-code compatibility with Three.js.
... and of course this Community Wiki that everyone can edit!
Get Verge3D Now!
Explore Verge3D using the full-featured trial with a bunch of production-ready examples. No email registration, no time limit, no strings attached.
