A graphics library for delivering 3D contents on Web browsers

In this paper we propose a Web 3D graphics library, called Glypher3D, entirely written in Javascript that allows for the development of 3D contents, directly in the browser. We use HTML 5 canvas element together with 3D graphics algorithms (e.g. back-face culling) encoded in Javascript. Usually, the canvas element is used to draw graphics in a 2D context, so we take advantage of these 2D drawing capabilities to create, manipulate and draw 3D objects directly in browser, in a simpler and easier way than other Web 3D technologies, and without the need for installing any kind of browser plug-ins or add-ons. Glypher3D enables us to create and render 3D geometric objects and user-defined scenes from points, lines, triangles, and quadrangles in 3D, as well as to manipulate those objects through affine transformations (i.e., rotation, translation, scale and shearing), projection transformations (e.g., perspective and parallel projection), hidden surface removal algorithms (e.g., back-face culling and painter's algorithm), and shading algorithms (i.e., flat shading and Gouraud shading). Glypher3D works in HTML 5 canvas-compatible browsers such as Firefox, Opera, Safari and Chrome.