Project Description: THREE-Nanite

What is the project about?

The project is an attempt to implement a dynamic Level of Detail (LOD) system in Three.js, inspired by Unreal Engine's Nanite technology. It aims to render complex 3D models efficiently by dynamically adjusting the level of detail based on factors like distance and visibility.

What problem does it solve?

The project addresses the performance challenges of rendering highly detailed 3D models in real-time web applications. Traditional methods often struggle with the computational cost of rendering millions or billions of polygons. This project aims to provide a solution for efficiently rendering such complex scenes.

What are the features of the project?

• Meshlet Generation: Breaks down a mesh into smaller, manageable units called meshlets.
• Meshlet Clustering: Groups adjacent meshlets using METIS.
• Meshlet Grouping: Further groups adjacent clusters into larger groups, also using METIS.
• Mesh Merging: Merges meshlets within groups, optimizing vertex sharing using meshoptimizer.
• Mesh Simplification: Reduces the triangle count of meshes using meshoptimizer (based on Garland 1997).
• Mesh Splitting: Divides meshes into smaller parts for LOD management.
• Dynamic LOD: Adjusts the level of detail of the mesh based on viewing parameters, creating a seamless transition between different LOD levels.
• DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) cut.

What are the technologies used in the project?

• Three.js: A JavaScript library for creating and displaying 3D graphics in a web browser.
• METIS: A library for graph partitioning (clustering).
• meshoptimizer: A library for mesh optimization, including simplification and vertex/index buffer optimization.

What are the benefits of the project?

• Improved Rendering Performance: Enables rendering of highly detailed models that would otherwise be too computationally expensive.
• Dynamic Level of Detail: Provides a smooth visual experience by adjusting detail levels on the fly.
• Web-Based: Leverages Three.js to bring Nanite-like capabilities to web applications.

What are the use cases of the project?

• Visualizing large 3D datasets: Displaying complex models like CAD designs, scanned environments, or detailed game assets.
• Interactive 3D applications: Creating web-based games or interactive experiences with high-fidelity graphics.
• Virtual and Augmented Reality: Enhancing the visual quality of VR/AR experiences on the web.