How do I embed a pocket.gl sandbox in my website?

Embedding requires including dependencies via RequireJS and initializing the sandbox with shader code—check the documentation on pocketgl.com for detailed examples and tutorials. It involves managing scripts and configuration, which can be non-trivial for beginners.

pocket.gl vs Shadertoy: which is better for shader development?

pocket.gl is embeddable and customizable for web pages, while Shadertoy is a standalone online community. Choose pocket.gl if you need integration into your site; use Shadertoy for broader sharing and inspiration without setup overhead.

Can I use pocket.gl offline?

Yes, but it requires downloading and hosting all dependencies locally, including Three.js and Ace, which can be cumbersome due to the multiple libraries involved. The documentation doesn't provide a straightforward offline setup guide.

How to load custom 3D models in pocket.gl?

Use Three.js loaders by specifying the model file path in supported formats like OBJ or GLTF, as shown in examples on the documentation site. Ensure the models are accessible from your server or hosted location.

Is pocket.gl suitable for production websites?

It's best for demos, education, or portfolios due to its sandbox nature and dependency weight. For production, consider more optimized solutions unless embeddability and real-time editing are critical requirements.

How can I customize the UI of the pocket.gl editor?

Limited customization is possible via CSS for Ace and dat.GUI components, but deep changes may require modifying the source code, as the sandbox is tightly integrated with these libraries.

Open-Awesome

Pocket.gl

GPL-3.0JavaScriptv1.2.4

A fully customizable WebGL shader sandbox to embed in your pages for interactive 3D graphics.

Visit Website GitHub

123 stars19 forks0 contributors

What is Pocket.gl?

pocket.gl is an embeddable WebGL shader sandbox that allows developers to create, edit, and display interactive 3D graphics directly within web pages. It provides a live coding environment for shader development, enabling real-time manipulation of shader variables, 3D model loading, and animation. The tool solves the problem of integrating complex WebGL visualizations into web content without requiring external applications or extensive setup.

Target Audience

Frontend developers, graphics programmers, and creative coders who need to embed interactive 3D graphics or shader demos into websites, educational content, or portfolios.

Value Proposition

Developers choose pocket.gl for its embeddability and customization—it offers a self-contained shader sandbox with real-time editing, GUI controls, and Shadertoy-like functionality, all without needing to build a custom WebGL environment from scratch.

Overview

A fully customizable webgl shader sandbox to embed in your pages

Use Cases

Best For

Embedding interactive shader demos in documentation or tutorials
Creating live coding environments for WebGL education
Building 3D model viewers for product showcases or portfolios
Prototyping and experimenting with fragment shaders in a browser
Adding customizable 3D graphics to blogs or personal websites
Developing Shadertoy-like visual experiments within web pages

Not Ideal For

Projects prioritizing minimal JavaScript bundle size and fast load times
Applications requiring server-side rendering or static site generation
Teams looking for a no-code 3D visualization tool
Commercial projects with strict licensing requirements for proprietary code

Pros & Cons

Pros

Embedded Live Editor

Integrates Ace editor for real-time shader coding with syntax highlighting, allowing immediate visual feedback without page reloads, as shown in the screenshot examples.

Interactive Parameter Controls

Uses dat.GUI to create adjustable sliders and inputs for shader variables, simplifying tweaking during development, highlighted in the editable shader variables feature.

Shadertoy-like Mode

Supports fragment-only shaders similar to Shadertoy, enabling easy porting and experimentation with visual effects directly in web pages, as mentioned in the key features.

3D Model Integration

Leverages Three.js to load and render 3D meshes, functioning as a customizable model viewer without additional libraries, demonstrated in the 3D model loading examples.

Cons

Dependency Burden

Relies on multiple heavy libraries like Three.js, Ace, and RequireJS, which can bloat the bundle size and complicate setup, as listed in the dependencies section.

WebGL-Only Limitation

Requires WebGL support in browsers with no fallback, limiting accessibility on devices without it, which is inherent to its design as a WebGL sandbox.

Setup Complexity

Initial integration involves managing scripts via RequireJS and configuring dependencies, which might be challenging for developers unfamiliar with module loading systems.

Restrictive License

The GNU GPL-3.0 license imposes copyleft terms, potentially restricting use in proprietary or closed-source commercial projects, as noted in the license information.

Open Source Alternative To

Pocket.gl is an open-source alternative to the following products:

Shadertoy

Shadertoy is an online community and platform for creating, sharing, and exploring shaders and real-time graphics using WebGL.

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