Three.js vs Spline: Finding Your Perfect Match

Three.js is a JavaScript library and API for creating, displaying and animating 3D graphics in a web browser. It leverages WebGL and boasts features like effects, scenes, cameras, animations etc. On the other hand, Spline is a 3D design tool that provides a codeless and designer-friendly interface for building 3D experiences. It offers collaboration features, simplifies importing, and supports diverse export formats, thus enhancing user experience.

Key Differences Between Three.js and Spline

• Coding: Three.js utilizes JavaScript and GLSL for 3D modeling, whereas Spline offers a codeless design paradigm.
• User Interface: Spline has an interactive and simplified user interface, in contrast to Three.js’s more technical and code-oriented approach.
• Collaboration: Unlike Three.js, Spline facilitates collaboration, allowing real-time fine-tuning and commenting.
• Export Formats: Spline supports varied export formats, including public URLs, images, and GIFs. Three.js is limited to WebGL-browser performance.
• Pricing: Spline starts at $9/month/user, while Three.js comes free under the MIT license.
• Community: Three.js has a large contributor community on Github, versus Spline’s user base of one million creators as of now.

What Is Three.js and Who’s It For?

Three.js is a cross-browser JavaScript library and API that enables the creation and display of animated 3D computer graphics in a web browser, without the need for any plugins. It was first released by Ricardo Cabello on Github in 2010 and leverages WebGL for accelerated GPU optimization. High-level libraries like Three.js simplify the development of complex 3D animations. It’s intended for both developers and designers wanting to add interactive 3D elements to their webpages.

Pros of Three.js

• Efficiently creates and displays animated 3D graphics
• Promotes GPU-accelerated 3D animations with JavaScript, no plugins required
• Supports Virtual and Augmented Reality via WebXR

Cons of Three.js

• Steep learning curve for beginners
• Consistency issues across different browser versions

What Is Spline and Who’s It For?

Spline is a 3D design tool launched in 2020, designed to bridge the gap between complexity and accessibility in 3D creation. It combines the simplicity of painting tools with interactive capabilities, allowing users to build distinctive 3D experiences. Exported projects are executed in-browser using WebGL, with no external player required. It’s tailored for designers and developers alike, seeking to create intriguing 3D interactive experiences without the need for extensive coding skills.

Pros of Spline

• Simple user interface for creating 3D objects and adding interactivity
• Projects are exportable as image files, GIFs, or embedded in web pages
• Compatible across platforms, with browser-based and desktop applications for Mac, Windows, and Linux

Cons of Spline

• Additional fees for advanced features
• Collaboration features might be insufficient for larger teams

Three.js vs Spline: Pricing Breakdown

While Three.js maintains its open source advantage at no cost, Spline starts at $9 per month with added features for professional and team use.

Three.js

Maintaining its commitment to the open-source community, Three.js operates under the MIT License, granting free use and access to its powerful and robust 3D web animation capabilities.

Spline

Spline offers a freemium tier while introducing subscription packages starting at $9/month/user for a personal plan, escalating to $12/month/user for a team plan that offers unlimited files, projects, folders, and the removal of the Spline logo.

Code Examples for Three.js & Spline

Three.js

This snippet uses three.js to create a rotating 3D icosahedron with textured faces. Ensure three.js library is linked in your HTML file.

var scene = new THREE.Scene();var camera = new THREE.PerspectiveCamera( 75, window.innerWidth/window.innerHeight, 0.1, 1000 );var renderer = new THREE.WebGLRenderer();renderer.setSize( window.innerWidth, window.innerHeight );document.body.appendChild( renderer.domElement );var geometry = new THREE.IcosahedronGeometry();var material = new THREE.MeshBasicMaterial( {color: 0x00ff00, wireframe: true} );var ico = new THREE.Mesh( geometry, material );scene.add( ico );camera.position.z = 5;function animate() {requestAnimationFrame( animate );ico.rotation.x += 0.01;ico.rotation.y += 0.01;renderer.render( scene, camera );}animate();

Spline

This Spline code creates a 3D cubic spline with five points. The THREE.SplineCurve3 needs the three.js library to function perfectly.

var points = [new THREE.Vector2(0, 0),new THREE.Vector2(1, 1),new THREE.Vector2(2, 0.5),new THREE.Vector2(3, 0.5),new THREE.Vector2(4, 1),];var path = new THREE.SplineCurve3(points);var tubeGeometry = new THREE.TubeGeometry(path, 100, 2, 8, false);var mesh = new THREE.Mesh(tubeGeometry, new THREE.MeshBasicMaterial({color: 0xff0000}));scene.add(mesh);

Three.js or Spline: Pick Your Power Tool

In the sphere of 3D creation and AR/VR, we turn the lights on two towering tech: Three.js and Spline. But which one best provides for your particular needs? Let’s sieve through a few spheres:

Web Developers and 3D Animators

The seasoned web developer or 3D animator hungry for granular control may lean towards Three.js. With its potent set of tools, including multiple effects, cameras, lights, shaders, and its support for Virtual and Augmented Reality via WebXR, Three.js is a vast landscape for intricate animation and modeling projects.

AR/VR Creators

Spline truly paves the way for AI-assisted 3D creation. AR/VR creators delving into rapid prototyping or requiring quick turnarounds will appreciate Spline’s simplified and intuitive design interface and collaboration options. Plus, its attributes in reducing complexity in 3D design through AI are commendable.

Beginners and Designers

For newcomers and professionals more inclined to design rather than coding, Spline emerges triumphant. Its ease of use mirrors Paint, yet packs the power for interactive projects without the need for code. Its compatibility across platforms and its superb user review score of 4.9/5 over 145 reviews further underpins its popularity.

Demystifying the choice between Three.js and Spline relies heavily on your professional niche and project requirements. Three.js, offering extensive and detailed control, proves a powerful ally to developers and 3D animators. In contrast, Spline, with its user-friendly approach and AI-centric features, ticks the boxes for entry-level creators and AR/VR professionals. Code or create, animate or iterate; your tool of choice awaits.