Interview with Ricardo Cabello (mrdoob) on Three.js, WebGL, WebGPU, and Open‑Source Development

The session, hosted by ByteDance Web Infra and translated for Chinese readers, features Ricardo Cabello (mrdoob), the author of Three.js, who shares his background in graphic design, early programming in the Demoscene, and the transition from Flash to JavaScript.

Ricardo explains why he created Three.js as an open‑source, lightweight cross‑browser 3D library, how community contributions shaped its development, and the importance of balancing file size, performance, and API design.

He discusses learning strategies, noting that most of his knowledge came from self‑directed projects rather than formal education, and emphasizes the value of tracking issues, PRs, and notifications to manage large open‑source projects.

The interview covers technical topics such as GPU instancing, shader reuse, memory disposal, handling many lights, and the trade‑offs between WebGL and the emerging WebGPU API, recommending developers start with WebGL and gradually explore WebGPU as it matures.

Ricardo compares WebGL/Three.js to other engines like Babylon.js and PlayCanvas, highlights the benefits of web‑based VR/AR via WebXR, and reflects on the challenges of supporting diverse devices from low‑end phones to VR headsets.

He also touches on project governance, the lack of semantic versioning plans, and future directions including WebGPU renderers, material node editors, and potential roles for Three.js in the metaverse.