A temporary demo that implements a multi-building LOD mechanism.

Source: Dev.to

Overview

My little 3D project, now called Open World Zone, is continuously evolving. The current focus is on multi‑model management, one of three optimization directions (the others—content filling and performance optimization—are still in development).

Live Demo

You can try the latest demo, which switches between different models based on the protagonist’s position:

https://ow.ccgxk.com/demo/dev001/

Goals

• Create an infinitely large three‑dimensional world that loads instantly in the browser.
• Run smoothly even on low‑configuration computers.
• Support multiple online users with generous freedom to explore.
• Allow users to place notes, images, build their own models, and upload them to the shared world.
• Keep the world extremely lightweight and high‑performance.

Challenges

• Storage is limited to 1 million model files with a practical threshold of ≈ 50 000 models on a typical machine.
• Need to load and unload models on demand without exceeding the threshold.
• Managing a “single‑line” disc‑like storage: adding, deleting, and reorganizing data (e.g., storing 3 GB, deleting 5 GB, adding 200 MB, deleting 1.5 GB) in an orderly fashion.

After evaluating several approaches, I settled on an ABC scheme (see the source code for details). This mechanism proved surprisingly tricky—it took a month of work for both Gemini and me to get it stable.

Demo Details

The current demo contains 4 000 library buildings and demonstrates a simple Level‑of‑Detail (LOD) system:

1. Close range – When you enter a building, interior tables and chairs are loaded. Screen walls and other elements appear to have always been there.
2. Mid range – Moving a certain distance away turns the building pink, representing a simplified exterior wall with fewer models.
3. Far range – At greater distances, the entire structure is abstracted into an independent cube (the “skyline”).

Outlook

Even though the implementation is still simple, it already shows that an endless array of models can be managed theoretically. Optimizing this pain point early will pay off later.

Personal Note

My time is limited—I work during the day and socialize on weekends, leaving me with less than three hours each evening to study and develop this project. Nonetheless, I’m committed to pushing forward.