r3f-loaders
React Three Fiber asset loading - useGLTF, useLoader, Suspense patterns, preloading. Use when loading 3D models, textures, HDR environments, or managing loading states.
Best use case
r3f-loaders is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
React Three Fiber asset loading - useGLTF, useLoader, Suspense patterns, preloading. Use when loading 3D models, textures, HDR environments, or managing loading states.
Teams using r3f-loaders should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/r3f-loaders/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How r3f-loaders Compares
| Feature / Agent | r3f-loaders | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
React Three Fiber asset loading - useGLTF, useLoader, Suspense patterns, preloading. Use when loading 3D models, textures, HDR environments, or managing loading states.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# React Three Fiber Loaders
## Quick Start
```tsx
import { Canvas } from '@react-three/fiber'
import { useGLTF, OrbitControls } from '@react-three/drei'
import { Suspense } from 'react'
function Model() {
const { scene } = useGLTF('/models/robot.glb')
return <primitive object={scene} />
}
export default function App() {
return (
<Canvas>
<ambientLight />
<Suspense fallback={null}>
<Model />
</Suspense>
<OrbitControls />
</Canvas>
)
}
```
## useGLTF (Drei)
The recommended way to load GLTF/GLB models.
### Basic Usage
```tsx
import { useGLTF } from '@react-three/drei'
function Model() {
const gltf = useGLTF('/models/robot.glb')
// gltf contains:
// - scene: THREE.Group (the main scene)
// - nodes: Object of named meshes
// - materials: Object of named materials
// - animations: Array of AnimationClip
return <primitive object={gltf.scene} />
}
```
### Using Nodes and Materials
```tsx
function Model() {
const { nodes, materials } = useGLTF('/models/robot.glb')
return (
<group>
{/* Use specific meshes */}
<mesh
geometry={nodes.Body.geometry}
material={materials.Metal}
position={[0, 0, 0]}
/>
<mesh
geometry={nodes.Head.geometry}
material={materials.Plastic}
position={[0, 1, 0]}
/>
</group>
)
}
```
### With TypeScript (gltfjsx)
Generate typed components using gltfjsx:
```bash
npx gltfjsx model.glb --types
```
```tsx
// Generated component
import { useGLTF } from '@react-three/drei'
import { GLTF } from 'three-stdlib'
type GLTFResult = GLTF & {
nodes: {
Body: THREE.Mesh
Head: THREE.Mesh
}
materials: {
Metal: THREE.MeshStandardMaterial
Plastic: THREE.MeshStandardMaterial
}
}
export function Model(props: JSX.IntrinsicElements['group']) {
const { nodes, materials } = useGLTF('/model.glb') as GLTFResult
return (
<group {...props} dispose={null}>
<mesh geometry={nodes.Body.geometry} material={materials.Metal} />
<mesh geometry={nodes.Head.geometry} material={materials.Plastic} />
</group>
)
}
useGLTF.preload('/model.glb')
```
### Draco Compression
```tsx
import { useGLTF } from '@react-three/drei'
function Model() {
// Drei automatically handles Draco if the file is Draco-compressed
const { scene } = useGLTF('/models/compressed.glb')
return <primitive object={scene} />
}
// Or specify Draco decoder path
useGLTF.setDecoderPath('https://www.gstatic.com/draco/versioned/decoders/1.5.6/')
```
### Preloading
```tsx
import { useGLTF } from '@react-three/drei'
// Preload at module level
useGLTF.preload('/models/robot.glb')
useGLTF.preload(['/model1.glb', '/model2.glb'])
function Model() {
// Will be instant if preloaded
const { scene } = useGLTF('/models/robot.glb')
return <primitive object={scene} />
}
```
### Processing Loaded Model
```tsx
function Model() {
const { scene } = useGLTF('/models/robot.glb')
useEffect(() => {
// Enable shadows on all meshes
scene.traverse((child) => {
if (child.isMesh) {
child.castShadow = true
child.receiveShadow = true
}
})
}, [scene])
return <primitive object={scene} />
}
```
## useLoader (Core R3F)
For loading any Three.js asset.
### Basic Texture Loading
```tsx
import { useLoader } from '@react-three/fiber'
import { TextureLoader } from 'three'
function TexturedMesh() {
const texture = useLoader(TextureLoader, '/textures/color.jpg')
return (
<mesh>
<boxGeometry />
<meshStandardMaterial map={texture} />
</mesh>
)
}
```
### Multiple Assets
```tsx
function MultiTexture() {
const [colorMap, normalMap, roughnessMap] = useLoader(TextureLoader, [
'/textures/color.jpg',
'/textures/normal.jpg',
'/textures/roughness.jpg',
])
return (
<mesh>
<sphereGeometry args={[1, 64, 64]} />
<meshStandardMaterial
map={colorMap}
normalMap={normalMap}
roughnessMap={roughnessMap}
/>
</mesh>
)
}
```
### With Extensions (Draco)
```tsx
import { useLoader } from '@react-three/fiber'
import { GLTFLoader } from 'three/examples/jsm/loaders/GLTFLoader'
import { DRACOLoader } from 'three/examples/jsm/loaders/DRACOLoader'
function Model() {
const gltf = useLoader(GLTFLoader, '/model.glb', (loader) => {
const dracoLoader = new DRACOLoader()
dracoLoader.setDecoderPath('https://www.gstatic.com/draco/v1/decoders/')
loader.setDRACOLoader(dracoLoader)
})
return <primitive object={gltf.scene} />
}
```
### Progress Callback
```tsx
function Model() {
const gltf = useLoader(
GLTFLoader,
'/model.glb',
undefined, // extensions
(progress) => {
console.log(`Loading: ${(progress.loaded / progress.total) * 100}%`)
}
)
return <primitive object={gltf.scene} />
}
```
### Preloading
```tsx
import { useLoader } from '@react-three/fiber'
import { TextureLoader } from 'three'
// Preload
useLoader.preload(TextureLoader, '/textures/color.jpg')
useLoader.preload(TextureLoader, ['/tex1.jpg', '/tex2.jpg'])
// Clear cache
useLoader.clear(TextureLoader, '/textures/color.jpg')
```
## Drei Loader Hooks
### useTexture
```tsx
import { useTexture } from '@react-three/drei'
// Single
const texture = useTexture('/texture.jpg')
// Array
const [color, normal] = useTexture(['/color.jpg', '/normal.jpg'])
// Named object (spreads directly to material)
const textures = useTexture({
map: '/color.jpg',
normalMap: '/normal.jpg',
roughnessMap: '/roughness.jpg',
})
<meshStandardMaterial {...textures} />
// With callback for configuration
const texture = useTexture('/texture.jpg', (tex) => {
tex.wrapS = tex.wrapT = THREE.RepeatWrapping
tex.repeat.set(4, 4)
})
// Preload
useTexture.preload('/texture.jpg')
```
### useCubeTexture
```tsx
import { useCubeTexture } from '@react-three/drei'
function EnvMap() {
const envMap = useCubeTexture(
['px.jpg', 'nx.jpg', 'py.jpg', 'ny.jpg', 'pz.jpg', 'nz.jpg'],
{ path: '/textures/cube/' }
)
return (
<mesh>
<sphereGeometry />
<meshStandardMaterial envMap={envMap} metalness={1} roughness={0} />
</mesh>
)
}
```
### useEnvironment
```tsx
import { useEnvironment } from '@react-three/drei'
// Preset
const envMap = useEnvironment({ preset: 'sunset' })
// Presets: apartment, city, dawn, forest, lobby, night, park, studio, sunset, warehouse
// Custom HDR file
const envMap = useEnvironment({ files: '/hdri/studio.hdr' })
// Cube map
const envMap = useEnvironment({
files: ['px.jpg', 'nx.jpg', 'py.jpg', 'ny.jpg', 'pz.jpg', 'nz.jpg'],
path: '/textures/',
})
```
### useVideoTexture
```tsx
import { useVideoTexture } from '@react-three/drei'
function VideoPlane() {
const texture = useVideoTexture('/video.mp4', {
start: true,
loop: true,
muted: true,
crossOrigin: 'anonymous',
})
return (
<mesh>
<planeGeometry args={[16/9 * 2, 2]} />
<meshBasicMaterial map={texture} toneMapped={false} />
</mesh>
)
}
```
### useFont
```tsx
import { useFont, Text3D } from '@react-three/drei'
// Preload font
useFont.preload('/fonts/helvetiker.json')
function Text() {
return (
<Text3D font="/fonts/helvetiker.json" size={1} height={0.2}>
Hello
<meshStandardMaterial color="gold" />
</Text3D>
)
}
```
## Suspense Patterns
### Basic Suspense
```tsx
import { Suspense } from 'react'
function Scene() {
return (
<Canvas>
<Suspense fallback={<Loader />}>
<Model />
</Suspense>
</Canvas>
)
}
function Loader() {
return (
<mesh>
<boxGeometry />
<meshBasicMaterial color="gray" wireframe />
</mesh>
)
}
```
### Loading Progress UI
```tsx
import { useProgress, Html } from '@react-three/drei'
function Loader() {
const { active, progress, errors, item, loaded, total } = useProgress()
return (
<Html center>
<div className="loader">
<div className="progress-bar">
<div style={{ width: `${progress}%` }} />
</div>
<p>{Math.round(progress)}% loaded</p>
<p>Loading: {item}</p>
</div>
</Html>
)
}
function App() {
return (
<Canvas>
<Suspense fallback={<Loader />}>
<Scene />
</Suspense>
</Canvas>
)
}
```
### Drei Loader Component
```tsx
import { Loader } from '@react-three/drei'
function App() {
return (
<>
<Canvas>
<Suspense fallback={null}>
<Scene />
</Suspense>
</Canvas>
{/* HTML loading overlay */}
<Loader />
</>
)
}
```
## Other Model Formats
### OBJ + MTL
```tsx
import { useLoader } from '@react-three/fiber'
import { OBJLoader } from 'three/examples/jsm/loaders/OBJLoader'
import { MTLLoader } from 'three/examples/jsm/loaders/MTLLoader'
function OBJModel() {
const materials = useLoader(MTLLoader, '/model.mtl')
const obj = useLoader(OBJLoader, '/model.obj', (loader) => {
materials.preload()
loader.setMaterials(materials)
})
return <primitive object={obj} />
}
```
### FBX
```tsx
import { useFBX } from '@react-three/drei'
function FBXModel() {
const fbx = useFBX('/model.fbx')
return <primitive object={fbx} scale={0.01} />
}
// Preload
useFBX.preload('/model.fbx')
```
### STL
```tsx
import { useLoader } from '@react-three/fiber'
import { STLLoader } from 'three/examples/jsm/loaders/STLLoader'
function STLModel() {
const geometry = useLoader(STLLoader, '/model.stl')
return (
<mesh geometry={geometry}>
<meshStandardMaterial color="gray" />
</mesh>
)
}
```
### PLY
```tsx
import { useLoader } from '@react-three/fiber'
import { PLYLoader } from 'three/examples/jsm/loaders/PLYLoader'
function PLYModel() {
const geometry = useLoader(PLYLoader, '/model.ply')
useEffect(() => {
geometry.computeVertexNormals()
}, [geometry])
return (
<mesh geometry={geometry}>
<meshStandardMaterial vertexColors />
</mesh>
)
}
```
## Clone for Multiple Instances
```tsx
import { useGLTF, Clone } from '@react-three/drei'
function Trees() {
const { scene } = useGLTF('/models/tree.glb')
return (
<>
<Clone object={scene} position={[0, 0, 0]} />
<Clone object={scene} position={[5, 0, 0]} />
<Clone object={scene} position={[-5, 0, 0]} />
<Clone object={scene} position={[0, 0, 5]} scale={1.5} />
</>
)
}
```
## Error Handling
```tsx
import { useGLTF } from '@react-three/drei'
import { ErrorBoundary } from 'react-error-boundary'
function ModelWithErrorHandling() {
return (
<ErrorBoundary fallback={<FallbackModel />}>
<Suspense fallback={<Loader />}>
<Model />
</Suspense>
</ErrorBoundary>
)
}
function FallbackModel() {
return (
<mesh>
<boxGeometry />
<meshBasicMaterial color="red" wireframe />
</mesh>
)
}
```
## Asset Caching
```tsx
import { useGLTF, useTexture } from '@react-three/drei'
// Assets are automatically cached by URL
// Same URL = same asset instance
function Scene() {
// These all reference the same cached asset
const model1 = useGLTF('/model.glb')
const model2 = useGLTF('/model.glb')
const model3 = useGLTF('/model.glb')
// Clear cache if needed
useGLTF.clear('/model.glb')
}
```
## Performance Tips
1. **Preload critical assets**: Avoid loading during interaction
2. **Use Draco compression**: Smaller file sizes
3. **Use LOD models**: Different detail levels for distance
4. **Clone instead of reload**: For multiple instances
5. **Lazy load non-critical**: Load on demand
```tsx
// Preload strategy
useGLTF.preload('/models/hero.glb') // Critical
useTexture.preload('/textures/main.jpg') // Critical
function LazyModel({ visible }) {
// Only load when visible
const { scene } = useGLTF(visible ? '/models/detail.glb' : null)
return scene ? <primitive object={scene} /> : null
}
```
## See Also
- `r3f-animation` - Playing loaded animations
- `r3f-textures` - Texture configuration
- `r3f-materials` - Materials from loaded modelsRelated Skills
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