Qgis2threejs is a QGIS plugin that exports terrain, DEM, and vector data into interactive 3D scenes rendered via WebGL. This plugin functions as a bridge between geographic information systems and web-based 3D visualization. It translates complex geospatial datasets—including digital elevation models, terrain surfaces, and vector layers—into a format compatible with the three.js library. The tool provides a streamlined interface within the QGIS environment, allowing users to define scene parameters, camera positions, and lighting properties. By converting GIS data into a lightweight, browser-ready format, it enables the creation of highly accessible, interactive 3D maps and urban models that can be explored directly in any standard web browser without specialized software.

The download is a 1.1 MB file containing .ZIP files.

Users install the plugin directly through the QGIS repository. Once active, the plugin interface allows for the selection of layers to be included in the 3D export. Users can adjust vertical exaggeration, surface resolution, and material properties for terrain meshes. After configuring the scene, the plugin generates a local folder containing the HTML, JavaScript, and asset files. These can be hosted on a web server or exported as glTF files for integration into broader 3D project pipelines.

This tool is essential for urban planners, landscape architects, and GIS specialists who need to communicate spatial data effectively. It is particularly useful during the early design and feasibility stages of large-scale site developments, infrastructure planning, and environmental impact assessments. Professionals use it to present complex topography, building footprints, and zoning information in a format that stakeholders can easily navigate. It pairs well with CAD and BIM workflows, allowing for the quick visualization of context models in a web-based, collaborative environment.