3D Object Editor

properties
scene

Inspiration

3D modeling is one of the most powerful creative tools available but it’s often locked behind steep learning curves and heavyweight software like Blender or Unity. I wanted to change that. The inspiration behind this project was simple: What if anyone could create and manipulate 3D scenes directly in the browser with no code, no installs, and no prior experience?

I set out to build a no-code, intuitive 3D editor that runs entirely in the browser, making 3D creativity accessible to everyone from indie game developers to educators and hobbyists.

What it does

The 3D Object Editor is a web-based tool that lets users: Add, move, scale, and rotate 3D objects (cubes, spheres, cylinder) Edit materials (color, texture, roughness, etc.) using a simple interface Orbit, pan, and zoom with camera controls All interactions are visual no code or commands needed. The UI is clean, dark-themed, and designed to feel like a mini Unity or Figma for 3D.

How we built it

Frontend: React with Tailwind CSS for styling and layout 3D Engine: React Three Fiber for scene rendering and controls Object Logic: Custom state management to track added objects, properties, and hierarchy Interaction: Pointer-based object selection, transform controls, and real-time updates The entire project is fully client-side, making it fast, responsive, and easy to share.

Challenges we ran into

Managing object transformations (position, rotation, scale) while preserving control responsiveness Building a flexible and reactive scene graph that updates both visually and in the data structure

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Delivered a working 3D editor with live manipulation and export, all in-browser Created a fluid user experience that mirrors professional-grade tools Made 3D design feel lightweight, elegant, and beginner-friendly Achieved full editor functionality with no backend or dependencies

What we learned

React Three Fiber unlocks incredible power for 3D in the browser when combined with good UI design Simple features like object snapping, transform handles, and a responsive viewport dramatically improve user experience Creative tooling on the web is capable of rivaling traditional desktop software

What's next for the 3D Object Editor

Add object hierarchy tree and grouping support Enable keyframe animation timeline for simple scene motions Introduce primitive sculpting and mesh editing Allow texture uploads and material presets Expand export to support .obj and .usd formats Enable saving and loading scenes via localStorage or cloud sync