Devlog: I Built a 3D Library in Three.js Without a Level Editor — So I Made My Own

Developer Mikachu shares their journey of building 'Oniria,' a 3D virtual library designed to house DEV.to articles as physical books. Initially, the project relied on manual coordinate adjustments within Three.js code, a tedious process that required constant browser reloads to verify object placement. Faced with the growing complexity of building a navigable 3D space, the developer decided to create an in-world authoring tool. By implementing a system that allows for placing 'markers' directly within the 3D environment, the developer can now visually survey and record positions, rotations, and scales in real-time. These markers are persisted as data, transforming the 3D world into its own level editor. This shift not only streamlined the architectural workflow but also highlighted the importance of building robust internal tools when creating immersive web-based experiences, effectively turning the development process into a core part of the project's evolution.