Three.js Node-Based Shader Editor Compatibility Strategy

Your node-based shader editor project is impressive, and I understand the challenges you're facing with cross-version compatibility in Three.js. Let me address your concerns and provide some strategic recommendations.

Version Compatibility Challenges

Three.js evolves rapidly, with material implementations changing between versions. Your approach of normalizing shader templates across versions is sound, but as you've discovered, new properties like transmission in newer versions create compatibility issues.

Recommended Version Strategy

Rather than trying to support all versions, consider:

1. Target a reasonable range: Support the last 12-18 months of Three.js releases (approximately 4-6 major versions)
2. Establish a minimum supported version: Perhaps R129 as your baseline since you've already tested with it
3. Forward compatibility focus: Prioritize compatibility with newer versions, with graceful degradation for older ones

Handling Material Property Differences

For properties that exist in newer versions but not older ones:

TYPESCRIPTCopied
// Example approach for handling version differences
export function applyMaterial(material, properties) {
  Object.keys(properties).forEach(key => {
    if (key in material) {
      material[key] = properties[key];
    } else {
      console.warn(`Property "${key}" not supported in this Three.js version`);
    }
  });
}

This allows your editor to work with all properties while gracefully handling unsupported ones during export.

TypeScript Integration Considerations

TypeScript would provide several benefits:

1. Type safety: Catch errors at compile time rather than runtime
2. Better IDE support: Autocomplete and documentation
3. Maintainability: Easier to refactor and understand code structure

However, generating TypeScript from GLSL is challenging. Instead, consider:

• Using TypeScript for your editor's data structures
• Creating typed interfaces for different Three.js material versions
• Using a plugin architecture where version-specific adapters handle the differences

TYPESCRIPTCopied
interface MaterialAdapter {
  applyShader(material: any, shaderCode: string): void;
  getSupportedProperties(): string[];
}

class R129MaterialAdapter implements MaterialAdapter {
  // Implementation specific to R129
}

class R163MaterialAdapter implements MaterialAdapter {
  // Implementation specific to R163
}

Export Strategy

Your current approach of traversing the graph and generating code without optimization is a good starting point. Consider:

1. Feature detection: Check for supported features at runtime
2. Fallback mechanisms: Provide alternatives when certain features aren't available
3. Version-specific exports: Generate different code based on the detected Three.js version

Moving Forward

1. Documentation: Clearly document which Three.js versions are supported
2. Version detection: Add runtime detection of Three.js version
3. Feature matrix: Create a compatibility matrix showing which features work with which versions
4. Progressive enhancement: Make basic functionality work everywhere, with enhanced features for newer versions

Your project has tremendous potential. By focusing on a reasonable version range and implementing graceful degradation, you can create a tool that remains useful even as Three.js continues to evolve.