Question 1

Is Psychoactive a WebGL agency?

Accepted Answer

Yes — interactive 3D and WebGL is core to what we do, not a bolt-on. Psychoactive Studios is a Wellington-based agency working worldwide, building real-time 3D websites with Three.js and WebGPU. We’ve shipped immersive web work for Summer Game Fest, the All Blacks, World of WearableArt, SuperAI and TOKEN2049, and the studio has 50+ international awards including Awwwards Site of the Day.

Question 2

What is WebGL, and is it the same as 3D on the web?

Accepted Answer

WebGL is the browser technology that makes real-time 3D possible on the web. When we say "3D on the web" we usually mean WebGL or its newer sibling WebGPU — both let us render 3D scenes, shaders, and motion directly inside the browser, with no plugins or downloads. Three.js is the most common library built on top of WebGL.

Question 3

Will a 3D experience work on phones?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when it’s built for them. We test every project on mid-range Android devices and slower networks, and design the experience to scale down gracefully — sometimes that means a simpler scene on smaller devices, sometimes it means rebuilding a moment for touch input. The bar is "feels deliberate everywhere", not "best viewed on a MacBook".

Question 4

Will adding 3D slow my site down?

Accepted Answer

Not if it’s done right. We treat performance as a design constraint from day one: file size, frame rate, and time-to-interactive are decided before the first scene gets built. The trade-offs are visible and chosen, not accidental.

Question 5

How long does a WebGL or 3D project take?

Accepted Answer

Anywhere from a week (a focused 3D moment dropped into an existing site) to three months (a full immersive site with custom shader work and motion direction). Most of our immersive builds land in the 6 to 12 week range.

Question 6

Can you add 3D to a Webflow site, or does it have to be a full custom build?

Accepted Answer

Both. Some of our most-shipped work is a custom WebGL layer sitting on top of a Webflow CMS — visitors get the experience, the client gets the editor they’re used to. We’re a Premium Webflow Enterprise Partner, so we can build the Webflow side and the custom side under one roof.

Question 7

What’s the difference between Three.js, WebGPU, Spline, and Rive?

Accepted Answer

Three.js is a real-time 3D library — code-first, infinitely flexible. WebGPU is the newer browser API underneath; we use it when we need raw shader performance. Spline is a no-code 3D scene tool — fine for simple decorative pieces, limited for anything custom or performant. Rive is great for vector and 2D-feeling motion. We pick per project rather than picking a side.

Question 8

Who owns the code and the 3D assets?

Accepted Answer

You do. Our work is bespoke and unencumbered — no platform lock-in, no licensing weirdness, no third-party plugin you’re suddenly tied to.

Question 9

What if we already have 3D assets from another team?

Accepted Answer

We can usually take them on. We’ve worked with assets from game studios, brand teams, and third-party 3D artists, and we’ll be honest if the existing work isn’t going to optimise for the web — sometimes it’s faster to rebuild than to retrofit.

Question 10

How do you decide whether 3D is actually right for our project?

Accepted Answer

The first conversation. If the story doesn’t need 3D, we’ll tell you. We don’t sell scenes we don’t believe in.

When a website becomes something people can step inside, your brand stops being skimmed and starts being shared.

When a website becomes something people can step inside, your brand stops being skimmed and starts being shared.

Partner to the world’s leading brands and events

Recognised by the industry

Where can 3D
for the web be used?

Eight years inside
real-time 3D.

Brief first.

Performance always.

Senior team, one room.

Featured
immersive work.

Zendetta

Adidas & All Blacks

10 questions on WebGL and real-time 3D projects

When a website becomes something people can step inside, your brand stops being skimmed and starts being shared.

When a website becomes something people can step inside, your brand stops being skimmed and starts being shared.

Partner to the world’s leading brands and events

Headline numbers from recent Psychoactive enterprise builds

Recognised by the industry

Where can 3D for the web be used?

Eight years insidereal-time 3D.

Brief first.

Performance always.

Senior team, one room.

A note from Andrew Hillstead on Psychoactive’s approach to real-time 3D and WebGL

Featuredimmersive work.

Zendetta

Adidas & All Blacks

10 questions on WebGL and real-time 3D projects

Where can 3D
for the web be used?

Eight years inside
real-time 3D.

Featured
immersive work.