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I built a browser-based 3D modeler because I'm scared of Blender

I built a browser-based 3D modeler because I'm scared of Blender

by whothatcodeguy·Mar 4, 2026·5 points·1 comment
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AI Analysis

●●SolidCozyEye CandyShip It

Blender-friendly geometry exports, but the feature set targets hobbyists, not professionals.

Strengths
  • •Timeline-based animation with playback controls and multi-format export (GIF, MP4, GLB, OBJ) is genuinely useful for rapid iteration without learning Blender's sprawl.
  • •Pixel-art palette support (NES) and per-face coloring shows attention to niche creative workflows, not generic tooling.
  • •Browser-based and instant, removing friction for beginners — no install, no steep learning curve, fits the stated goal.
Weaknesses
  • •Does not claim to replace Blender or reach its feature depth, so positioned as sketchpad — unclear what limits prevent growth into more complex modeling.
  • •No visible collaboration, library system, or plugin architecture — fundamentally a solo sandbox tool.
Category
Design
Target Audience

2D/3D hobbyists and animators intimidated by Blender looking for a lightweight sketchpad alternative.

Similar To

Nomad Sculpt · TinkerCAD

Post Description

process demo - https://i.redd.it/fbhlwsq1gcmg1.gif render demo - https://i.redd.it/smddwtryhcmg1.gif in-app demo - http://app.topomaker.com/demo

After long stretches in 2d animation and film, recently I've been really drawn to 3d. It's closer to the way my brain thinks and I feel like it has so much power to realize cool ideas. Naturally, I kicked off a google search and fired up Blender. After an hour, I went on a walk and got sad realizing I'm going to have to become a master before I can do anything fun. That's when my dev ego brain struck the usual phrase "i'll just build my own".

So, I built Topomaker (name tentative), which is a minimal browser-based 3D modeler and animator. You can color individual faces, build simple characters or objects, animate them on a timeline, and export to gif, mp4, glb, or obj. The goal wasn't to make a Blender competitor, but more of a sketchpad or alternative. Something you can just doodle in, make some funny animations or characters for a small game with a closer connection to the web since thats my programming language of choice. Anyone who's tried to get Blender assets to match up in a Three.js environment knows the process — I wanted something that just lives in that ecosystem natively.

I just started it a couple weeks ago so there are probably tons of bugs, but feel free to play around with it and let me know what you think!

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