Weblend

Weblend is a passion project born from a deep love for Blender and the power of modern web technologies.

🚀 Try it now: https://wox76.github.io/weblend/

👨‍💻 About the Author & The Vision

Hi, I'm Andrea Rotondo. I have been a passionate Blender enthusiast since version 2.43. Over the years, I've watched Blender evolve into the industry standard it is today, and that evolution has always inspired me.

Combining my experience in JavaScript, WebGL, HTML, and CSS with the cutting-edge assistance of Gemini AI, I set out to answer a question: Can we bring a true, Blender-like modeling experience to the web?

The result is Weblend.

🚀 Try it now: https://wox76.github.io/weblend/

📺 Feature Demonstrations

🪞 Real-time Mirror Modifier

The Mirror modifier allows for non-destructive symmetry modeling, updating the mesh instantly as you work.

🔼 Extrude Tool

Replicating one of the most fundamental modeling operations, the Extrude tool lets you grow your geometry with precision.

📥 Model Import

Easily bring your existing assets into the scene with support for standard 3D formats.

🌟 Inspired by Blender

Weblend isn't just a 3D viewer; it's a tribute to the Blender workflow. It aims to recreate the feeling of power and flexibility that Blender users love, right inside the browser.

You will find familiar concepts everywhere:

• Z-up Coordinate System: Blue is up, red is X, and green is Y. Just like in Blender.
• Modifier Stack: Just like in Blender, we have a non-destructive workflow with modifiers like Mirror and Array.
• Edit Mode: Vertex, Edge, and Face manipulation that feels right at home for Blender veterans.
• Tools: The Knife, Loop Cut, Extrude, and Bevel tools are designed to mimic their Blender counterparts.

🚀 Status: Moving Fast!

There is still a lot to do to catch up with the giant that is Blender, but development is proceeding extremely fast. Thanks to the synergy between my coding skills and Gemini, features are being added and refined rapidly.

✨ Latest Updates

• Apply Modifiers: You can now permanently apply modifiers to the mesh geometry using the new "Apply" button in the modifier panel.
• Material Shading Lighting: Added a "Fake Hemisphere Light" in Material Shading mode to ensure models are visible and not black, simulating a basic studio lighting environment.
• Modifier Improvements: Fixed issues where materials were lost when using Array or Decimate modifiers. Geometry is now correctly regenerated on scene load.
• Robust Tools: The Loop Cut tool now works correctly on meshes with active modifiers (like Subdivision Surface). The Extrude tool hotkey ('E') is now case-insensitive.
• Mesh Separate (P): Split your geometry with the new Separate command. Support for separating by Selection, By Material, and By Loose Parts, allowing for complex mesh dismantling just like in Blender.
• Blender Z-up Coordinate System: Adopted the industry-standard Z-up coordinate system (Z = Up, Blue axis), ensuring a seamless transition for Blender users.
• Incremental Object Naming: Implemented an automatic naming system that adds .001, .002, etc., to duplicate object names, keeping your Scene Collection organized.
• Weblend Project Format: Native support for saving and loading complete scenes using the .weblend file format, preserving modifiers, materials, and hierarchy.
• Outliner Zebra Striping: Improved UI readability in the Outliner with alternating background colors for scene elements.
• Sticky Modifier UI: The "Add Modifier" button is now sticky at the top of the properties panel, making it accessible even with long modifier stacks.
• Selection History: Added Undo/Redo support for selection in both Object and Edit modes. Pressing CTRL + Z now restores previous selection states.
• Subdivision Stability: Fixed geometry artifacts and "face splitting" during extrusion with the Subdivision Surface modifier.
• Dynamic Shading Fix: Corrected the "Shade Smooth/Flat" commands to properly respect the active Modifier Stack.
• Extrude Refinement: Improved the Extrude tool to automatically inherit material indices and UV properties.
• Advanced Mesh Merge: Added "Merge" options (At Center, At Cursor, Collapse, At First, At Last) in Edit Mode.
• Improved UI Layout: Reorganized the Menubar for better accessibility.
• Enhanced Data Stability: Fixed a critical DataCloneError in the IndexedDB storage system by implementing an automatic data sanitization layer.
• Subdivide Operator: Divide your geometry with precision using the new Subdivide command in the Edit Mode context menu.
• Decimate Modifier: Optimize your meshes with the new Decimate modifier.
• Merge by Distance: Clean up your topology with the "Merge by Distance" tool (Mesh > Clean Up).

🛠️ Technology Stack

• Core: Vanilla JavaScript (ES6+) & WebGL
• UI: HTML5 & CSS3 (Custom UI system)
• AI Partner: Powered by Gemini

💬 Community & Support

Join the conversation and stay updated:

• Facebook Group: Blender 3D Italia & Weblend
• Discord Server: Join our Discord

📂 Quick Start

1. Try it online: https://wox76.github.io/weblend/
2. Local Setup:
   • Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/wox76/weblend.git
   • Open index.html in your browser.

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

🤝 Credits & Inspiration

• Weblend is inspired by the kokraf project by Seng Chor.
• Dedicated to the open-source community and Blender users everywhere.