Exploring Three.js and Bokeh Examples for Interactive Visualization

Introduction

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In recent years, Three.js has become a popular JavaScript library for creating immersive and interactive 3D graphics in the browser. One of its key features is its ability to integrate with various post-processing effects, including BokehPass. In this article, we will explore some examples of using Three.js and BokehPass to create stunning visualizations.

Lamb Shade Example

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One of the most impressive features of Three.js is its ability to simulate real-world lighting effects. The lamb_shade() function uses a single user-specified light direction to calculate a local shadow map based on the dot product between the surface normal and the light direction for an elevation matrix. This results in a more realistic simulation of how objects would appear in the real world.

Height Shade Example

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Another interesting example is the height_shade() function, which calculates a color for each point on the surface using a direct elevation-to-color mapping. This allows you to create visually striking visualizations that take into account the height and texture of the terrain.

Texture Shade Example

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The texture_shade() function is another powerful tool in your arsenal. It calculates a shadow for each point on the surface using the method described by Leland Brown in “Texture Shading: A New Technique for Depicting Terrain Relief.” This results in valleys being darker than flat areas and ridges, creating a more realistic representation of the terrain.

Ambient Shade Example

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For a more subtle effect, you can use the ambient_shade() function to create an ambient occlusion shadow layer. This darkens areas that have less scattered light from the atmosphere, adding depth and dimensionality to your visualization.

Sphere Shade Example

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The sphere_shade() function is particularly useful for creating stunning visualizations of spheres or other rounded objects. It maps an RGB texture to a hillshade by spherical mapping, allowing you to create realistic simulations of terrain relief.

Ray Shade Example

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Finally, the ray_shade() function uses user-specified light directions to calculate a global shadow map for an elevation matrix. This allows you to create detailed and realistic visualizations of complex scenes.

Comparison with BokehFilter

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In contrast to Three.js's native post-processing effects, BokehPass offers a more advanced and customizable solution for creating stunning visualizations. While the original BokehFilter was easy to use, it lacked the level of control and customization offered by BokehPass.

Challenges and Limitations

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One major challenge when using BokehPass is understanding its inner workings. The EffectComposer takes care of defining a ‘quad’, which can be overwhelming for those new to Three.js. Additionally, creating a depth-of-field effect with BokehPass requires careful tuning of the aperture value and other settings.

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In conclusion, Three.js and Bokeh examples offer a powerful combination for creating stunning interactive visualizations. From lamb_shade() to ray_shade(), each function provides a unique tool for simulating real-world lighting effects or creating detailed and realistic scenes. While there are challenges and limitations to using BokehPass, the results can be truly breathtaking.

References

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* Leland Brown (2002). “Texture Shading: A New Technique for Depicting Terrain Relief.” Journal of Graphics Tools.

* Three.js documentation. Retrieved from

threejs bokeh examples

Note that this article is intended to provide an overview of the functions and features available in Three.js and BokehPass, rather than a comprehensive guide to using them. For more information on how to implement these effects in your own projects, please refer to the official documentation and tutorials provided by Three.js and the creators of BokehPass.

Threejs bokeh examples