What's New?

I'm excited to share a major update to the MakeIt3D plugin that fundamentally changes how you work with 3D objects in Construct 3. The new Placeholder Object system bridges the gap between Three.js and Construct 3's native workflow.

The Problem We Solved

Previously, integrating 3D objects into your Construct 3 projects required:

• Manually creating objects through event sheet actions
• Writing sync logic to connect Three.js objects with C3 sprite instances
• Constantly updating position, rotation, and scale values between systems
• No visual representation in the layout editor
• Complex setup for each 3D object

This workflow was functional but tedious, especially for projects with multiple 3D elements.

The Solution: Placeholder Objects

The new Placeholder Object acts as a visual bridge between Construct 3 and Three.js. Here's how it works:

Visual Layout Integration

Simply drag and drop a Placeholder Object into your layout. MakeIt3D automatically creates a corresponding Three.js object based on the placeholder's properties. What you see is what you get - position your object in the layout editor, and it appears exactly there in 3D.

Automatic Synchronization

This is where the magic happens. Any Construct 3 behavior that modifies the placeholder instance automatically syncs to the Three.js object:

• Position changes → 3D object moves
• Rotation updates → 3D object rotates
• Scale adjustments → 3D object scales

Use Tween behavior? Pathfinding? Physics? They all just work with 3D objects now.

Flexible Shape Configuration

Each placeholder can be configured through properties to display:

• Primitive shapes: Cubes, spheres, cylinders, cones, planes, circles
• Custom 3D models: Import your own FBX or GLB files

Built-in 3D Model Importer

One of my favorite features - the custom importer system:

• Drag and drop FBX or GLB files directly into your Construct 3 project
• Instant recognition - the plugin identifies 3D model files automatically
• Live preview - see your model before importing
• Direct integration - imported models become available in the placeholder's shape selection

Minimal-Level Editing

While MakeIt3D focuses on runtime 3D integration, the placeholder system enables basic scene composition directly in the Construct 3 editor. Position, scale, and orient your 3D objects visually without writing a single line of code.

Developer Experience Improvements

Before:

// Event Sheet On start of layout → MakeIt3D: Create cube at (100, 100, 0) → MakeIt3D: Set cube rotation to Sprite.Angle → MakeIt3D: Set cube position to (Sprite.X, Sprite.Y, Sprite.ZElevation)  Every tick → MakeIt3D: Update cube position → MakeIt3D: Update cube rotation → MakeIt3D: Update cube scale 

After:

// Event Sheet (Nothing needed - just place the placeholder in layout!) 

The placeholder handles all synchronization automatically.

Technical Implementation

Under the hood, the placeholder system:

• Maintains a registry mapping placeholder instances to Three.js objects
• Listens for transform changes on placeholder instances
• Applies transformations to the corresponding 3D geometry
• Handles geometry creation based on shape type selection
• Manages the lifecycle of 3D objects (creation, updates, destruction)

The anchor point system has also been updated - primitives now use bottom anchor by default, making them easier to align with Construct 3's 2D workflow.

Use Cases

This update opens up new possibilities:

Rapid Prototyping: Quickly build 3D scenes by placing objects in the layout editor

Behavior-Driven Animation: Use any C3 behavior to animate 3D objects - Sine for floating motion, Tween for smooth transitions, Bullet for projectiles

Visual Level Design: Design 3D game levels directly in the layout view

What's Next?

This is just the beginning. Future updates will include:

• Material and texture configuration through placeholder properties
• Animation playback controls for imported models
• More primitive shapes and generators
• Enhanced preview capabilities in the editor

Try It Out

The placeholder object system is available now in the latest version of MakeIt3D. I'd love to hear your feedback and see what you build with it!

Have questions or suggestions? Drop a comment below or reach out on discord