
# First Steps

Now it is time to start our learning journey together. These first steps will introduce you to the basics of using Babylon.js to create a scene, code a simple model and export it. Not only can models be created with Babylon.js, a range of model types created in other software can also be imported into Babylon.js. We will show you how to import a model into a scene, display it on the web and create a web app from it. From this beginning which replaces the usual 'Hello World' introduction, we will build a simple world, step by step. At the end of the journey, we will have created a small village demonstrating the features of Babylon.js. 

Want to try out Babylon.js straight away? The examples on each page are also presented using our interactive Playground where you can write, view and experiment with code immediately. Code properly formed and working within the Playground can be copied and pasted into an HTML template and used as your first web app.



## From One to Many

A nice big step now as we take the simple box and turn it into a house, or two. As houses do not float we will create some ground and then see how we can position, rotate and re-size the house and set it on the ground. Since a blank box looks just like a blank box we will add texture to give it the appearance of having windows and doors. To keep the rain out let's add a roof mesh and merge the two meshes together. Of course a couple of houses do not make a village so we will see how we can copy a mesh as many times as we wish. Since builders are noisy workers we will show how you can include sounds but then silence them immediately as anything but the sounds you want to work with are distracting.


## Animating the Village

Our village is not very lively at the moment so let's add some animation. We are still in the early stages of learning Babylon.js and nowhere near adding a Simms family. The parents and children you are about to be introduced to are the silent type and a way of linking together meshes so that changes to a parent mesh are also applied to their children meshes. We are going to animate a very simple car with wheels that are children to the parent car body. Unlike a real car it is the car body that takes the wheels with it. There is one way that our mesh parents and children behave like a real family, the children can act independently of the parent. Good job too as we do not want the car to rotate with the wheels.

Of course you do not have to build an animation of your own, you can import a ready made one and we will show you the basis of importing an animated character and have it move around the village.


## A Bump in the Road

Or rather a way of avoiding one. Just a quick step this time. Our character is reeling around the village and we want him to avoid being hit by a passing car. We set up a danger zone that stops the character in his tracks when the car enters the danger zone. Unless of course he is already in the danger zone, in which case he better keep moving.



## A Better Environment

Our village world is a bit flat and has no atmosphere. Let's add some grass, distant hills, sky and trees, all easily done with Babylon.js using a skybox, texture, creating a ground with a height map and sprites.


## A Particle Fountain

Every village needs water so let's put in a fountain. We will go for one with rotational symmetry using a lathed mesh to create it. Fine particles will be recycled to produce a water effect. So that we do not waste water let's add a switch event to turn it on or off.


## Lighting the Village

Perpetual light in the village can make sleeping very difficult so we will introduce night time by turning the lights down. Of course people do not want to walk in total darkness at night so we will add some street lights. Since perpetual night is no better than perpetual day we will add an interface to change from one to the other. We want to turn the light down at night and bring it up during the day. Let's add a GUI control to do this.  Also where there is light there are shadows and Babylon.js can add them as well. 


## Different Points of View

So far we have only viewed the village from a distant point like a spy in the sky. Our final steps are to get a bit closer in. We attach a camera behind our character to get an over the shoulder view of the village, having a look around as he walks. We can also change cameras and follow him like a target of a spy drone. The very last thing is to show you that Babylon.js can use modern 3D viewers to give a complete 3D view of our world.



Welcome to the wonderful 3D world of Babylon.js and 3D on the web. Beginners to coding in JavaScript should be able to learn a lot from the examples, however we strongly suggest that you gain a working knowledge of JavaScript before starting to develop your own projects.

In moving through the Introduction we introduce you to the features of Babylon.js. We present code examples using our playground, show you how to add models to your website and how to import your own models into your Babylon.js game or app. Once you have covered all the chapters you will be aware, at a foundation level, of what Babylon.js has to offer you. When you are ready, our full range of docs will help you dive deeper into Babylon.js. One day soon you will find yourself part of the Babylon.js community creating new ways to work with Babylon.js and, who knows, contributing to it as well.



The online Playground allows you to quickly experiment with a 3D scene using Babylon.js. All the code is written inside the **createScene** function which must return a scene. A scene, camera and light must always be present. Displaying the scene is all done by the Playground. No need to load or run the babylon.js Engine as this is all done for you, in the background.


### Playground Example
In this playground a sphere and a ground have been created. Try changing the diameter of the sphere or the width of the ground. After any editing just select the run button &#x25B6; to rebuild the scene.  

<Playground id="#WJXQP0" title="Basic Playground" description="CreateScene Playground." />  

### Description

```javascript
const createScene = function () {
    // Creates a basic Babylon Scene object
    const scene = new BABYLON.Scene(engine);
    // Creates and positions a free camera
    const camera = new BABYLON.FreeCamera("camera1", 
        new BABYLON.Vector3(0, 5, -10), 
        scene);
    // Targets the camera to scene origin
    camera.setTarget(BABYLON.Vector3.Zero());
    // Attaches the camera to the canvas
    camera.attachControl(canvas, true);
    // Creates a light, aiming 0,1,0
    const light = new BABYLON.HemisphericLight("light", 
        new BABYLON.Vector3(0, 1, 0), 
        scene);
    // Dim the light a small amount 0 - 1
    light.intensity = 0.7;
    // Built-in 'sphere' shape.
    const sphere = BABYLON.MeshBuilder.CreateSphere("sphere", 
        {diameter: 2, segments: 32}, 
        scene);
    // Move sphere upward 1/2 its height
    sphere.position.y = 1;
    // Built-in 'ground' shape.
    const ground = BABYLON.MeshBuilder.CreateGround("ground", 
        {width: 6, height: 6}, 
        scene);
    return scene;
};
```


Introduction to Babylon.js Features

Coming next

Getting Started - Chapter 1 - Firsts

Start your Babylon.js learning with Chapter 1. Here you will begin a journey of learning to build a simple world step by step.

Getting Started - Chapter 2 - Build A Village

Continue your Babylon.js learning journey with Chapter 2, diving into materials, textures, sounds and more.

Getting Started - Chapter 3 - Village Animation

Continue your Babylon.js learning by diving into animation in Chapter 3.

Getting Started - Chapter 4 - Avoiding Collisions

Continue your Babylon.js learning with understanding collisions in Chapter 4.

Getting Started - Chapter 5 - A Better Environment

Learn to improve the look of your environment in Chapter 5.

Getting Started - Chapter 6 - Build a Particle Fountain

Learn the basics the basics of the Babylon.js particle system in chapter 6.

Getting Started - Chapter 7 - Light the Night

Learn the basics of lighting in Babylon.js in chapter 7.

Getting Started - Chapter 8 - Ways to See The World

Learn the basics of Babylon.js cameras in Chapter 8.