xr843/insect-world

What it solves

Insect World is an interactive 3D encyclopedia of 63 insect species across 14 orders. It provides a way to learn about insect anatomy, life cycles, and ecological roles through a visual, interactive experience rather than static images or pre-made 3D models.

How it works

Unlike traditional 3D galleries, this project uses parameterized geometry generated in real-time via TypeScript in the browser. There are no external model files (GLB/OBJ); instead, the code defines the structural parameters of each insect (head, thorax, abdomen, legs, wings) to build the geometry on the fly.

Key technical features include:

• Procedural Texturing: Generates microscopic surface details like pits, grooves, and compound eye patterns using CanvasTexture.
• Dynamic Animations: Implements biologically inspired movements, such as anti-phase wing beats for dragonflies and a continuous "emergence" animation for butterflies.
• Life Cycle Modeling: For select species, the project generates models for eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults, demonstrating the difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis.
• Interactive Tools: Includes a sagittal plane clipping tool for internal views, a layering tool for exoskeleton transparency, and a guided tour that moves the camera to specific anatomical points.

Who it’s for

It is designed for curious readers and students who want to explore insect morphology and biology in a a visually engaging way, as well as developers interested in procedural 3D generation and interactive educational tools.

Highlights

• Zero Asset Dependency: All 63 species are rendered from code, making the project highly extensible and lightweight.
• Life Cycle Visuals: 22 distinct stage models for 8 species, including detailed pupae and larvae.
• Biologically Grounded Motion: Wing-beat frequencies are compressed for screen display but maintain relative species order.
• Comprehensive Testing: Over 4,000 tests ensuring geometric validity, symmetry, and data alignment between Chinese and English versions.
• Dual Themes: Features a "Specimen Table" light mode and a "Museum Night" dark mode with specialized lighting for iridescent wings and bioluminescence.