Learn PLAYCANVAS with Real Code Examples

PlayCanvas provides a full 3D engine with rendering, physics, materials, animations, and scene management.

It runs entirely in the browser leveraging WebGL (and optionally WebGPU) for high-performance graphics.

Includes a cloud-based editor for collaborative 3D development and asset management.

Supports WebXR for immersive AR/VR experiences.

Lightweight and highly optimized, enabling deployment to web, mobile, and embedded platforms.

Entity-component system architecture

WebGL 1/2 and WebGPU rendering backend

Scripting via JavaScript

Physics engine integration (Ammo.js, Cannon.js)

Post-processing and camera effects

Entity - core object in the scene

Component - behavior or feature added to entity

Script - JS code controlling entities/components

Scene - collection of entities forming a level

Asset - model, texture, audio, or script resource

index.html - optional HTML container for embedding

main.js - entry script for game logic

assets/ - models, textures, audio, scripts

scenes/ - scene definitions

scripts/ - custom behaviors and components

Set up a new project in the PlayCanvas editor

Create scene and add entities

Attach components (render, camera, lights, physics)

Write scripts for interactivity

Publish and embed project online

Beginner: simple 3D scene with a spinning cube

Intermediate: interactive 3D game with input controls

Advanced: physics-based simulation or PBR materials

Expert: WebXR AR/VR experience

Architect: multi-scene collaborative 3D application

PlayCanvas vs Three.js: full engine + editor vs library only

PlayCanvas vs Babylon.js: cloud collaboration vs desktop-first

PlayCanvas vs Unity WebGL: lightweight browser-first vs large runtime

PlayCanvas vs Godot HTML5 export: commercial support vs open-source desktop

PlayCanvas vs WebGPU directly: abstraction + tools vs low-level API

2011 - PlayCanvas founded by Will Eastcott & Dave Evans

2012 - Open-sourced engine and WebGL support

2015 - Cloud editor launched

2017 - PBR and post-processing added

2024–2025 - WebGPU support experimental and expanding

Entity - object in 3D scene

Component - behavior or feature attached to entity

Script - JavaScript controlling entity behavior

Asset - model, texture, sound, or script resource

Scene - collection of entities forming a level