Create 3D UI Interactions for Websites with Spline - Free course

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore how to create 3D UI interactions for websites using Spline, a powerful and intuitive design tool that simplifies 3D modeling and animation. This guide will take you through various chapters covering different aspects of creating 3D icons, animations, adaptive layouts, and exporting assets for web use. By the end of this course, you'll have a solid understanding of how to leverage Spline for your 3D design projects.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Spline

• Spline is a modern 3D design tool recognized for its intuitive interface, real-time collaboration, and extensive library of assets.
• It operates directly in your browser, making it accessible across devices including Mac, Windows, and tablets.
• The course will cover creating simple 3D icons, interactive animations, parallax effects, and responsive design techniques.

Chapter 2: 3D Shapes and Materials

Creating a 3D Icon

1. Create a New Spline File: Start by opening Spline and creating a new file for your project.
2. Add Circles:
   • Create a circle with size (200, 200), ring value 85, angle 90°, and extrude it by 30 units.
   • Duplicate this circle to form smaller circles, adjusting their sizes and ring values accordingly for depth and design.
3. Group and Rotate: Select all circles, group them, and rotate the group on the Z-axis by -45°.
4. Add a Rectangle: Create a rectangle, set dimensions to (200, 200) with rounded corners, and extrude by 30 units.
5. Apply Materials:
   • Set colors, lighting modes, and apply shadows for realism.
   • Use the material properties panel to adjust colors and effects.

Enhancing the Design

• Softening Shadows: Adjust the blur and penumbra settings for shadows to create a more natural look.
• Previewing: Use play mode to preview your design and interactions.

Chapter 3: Weather Icon and Sculpting

Creating a Dynamic Weather Icon

1. Set Up Your Scene: Open a new project and set a sky blue background.
2. Create Sun and Clouds:
   • Add a sphere for the sun with size (100, 100, 100).
   • Add a cylinder for rays, position it accordingly, and use the cloner tool to create multiple rays.
3. Sculpting Clouds:
   • Add and modify spheres to create cloud shapes using sculpting brushes.
4. Apply Materials and Effects: Use glass and depth materials to enhance the appearance of the sun and clouds.

Chapter 4: Icon Animation

Adding Animation to Your Icons

1. Create States: Begin by adding states for your icons to define initial and final animations.
2. Set Events: Use the events panel to trigger animations on scroll or mouse actions.
3. Preview and Adjust: Test your animations in play mode and refine as necessary.

Chapter 5: Path Animation

Creating and Animating Paths

1. Draw Paths: Use the path tool to create custom shapes and convert them to paths.
2. Animate Paths: Add states to animate these paths and define transitions using the events panel.

Chapter 6: Waves Animation

Crafting Wave Animations

1. Create a Base Shape: Use the vector tool to create a wave shape and convert it to a path.
2. Apply Material Effects: Use gradients and depth effects to enhance the wave's appearance.
3. Animate Waves: Implement states and transitions that allow the wave to move dynamically.

Chapter 7: 3D Card with Parallax

Designing a 3D Card

1. Background Setup: Choose a suitable background image or animation.
2. Create the Card: Start with a rectangle, apply extrusion and glass materials for a 3D effect.
3. Add Icons and Text: Incorporate icons and text, making sure to group elements for organization.
4. Implement Parallax Effect: Arrange elements at different depths to create a parallax effect during scrolling.

Chapter 8: Button Components

Creating Reusable Button Components

1. Design the Button: Use rectangles and text to create a button, applying materials for effects.
2. Create Components: Right-click to create a main button component and duplicate instances as needed.
3. Modify Instances: Adjust properties of instances without affecting the main component.

Chapter 9: Screen Resize Adaptive Layout

Making Your Design Responsive

1. Set Up Breakpoints: Use screen resize events to trigger actions based on screen size.
2. Define Actions: Customize transitions for different breakpoints to ensure a responsive layout.

Chapter 10: Export to USDZ and Optimizations

Preparing for AR

1. Optimize Your Model: Use the performance panel to assess and optimize your 3D models for quick loading.
2. Export to USDZ: Follow the steps to export your models in USDZ format for augmented reality applications.

Chapter 11: Publish to 3D Site

Integrating 3D Assets into Your Website

1. Use Public URLs: Share your 3D assets using public URLs for easy integration.
2. Embed in Framer: Create a new project in Framer, insert the embed tool, and link your Spline asset.
3. Code Export: Download your project as code or use Code Sandbox for advanced customization.

Conclusion

By following this comprehensive guide, you've learned how to create engaging 3D UI interactions using Spline. From designing icons and animations to implementing responsive layouts and exporting for web use, you now have the foundational knowledge to explore further in the realm of 3D design. Keep experimenting with Spline's features and unleash your creativity in future projects!