CS3D – CS:GO 3D Weapon Viewer for Steam Marketplace

CS3D is a portfolio project demonstrating a WebGL-based 3D viewer for CS:GO weapon skins, embedded directly into the Steam Marketplace via a browser extension. It allows users to rotate, zoom, and inspect weapons in real time, delivering an in-game-like preview experience before purchase.

#Project Challenge

The Steam Marketplace traditionally presents CS:GO weapon skins using static 2D images. While sufficient for casual browsing, this approach limits the ability to:

• Evaluate weapon skins from all angles
• Inspect wear patterns and surface detail
• Understand lighting, reflections, and material finishes
• Confidently assess high-value or pattern-based skins

The challenge was to design a non-intrusive 3D viewer that could coexist with the Steam Marketplace UI while delivering smooth, real-time rendering performance.

#Approach & Solution

CS3D injects a WebGL-powered 3D rendering canvas directly into CS:GO Marketplace listings. Using accurate weapon models and dynamically loaded skin textures, the extension provides interactive inspection without requiring users to leave the page or alter their buying workflow.

The viewer behaves as an enhancement rather than a replacement — existing images remain intact, while the 3D view adds spatial context and realism.

#Outcome & Impact

CS3D served as a technical exploration of WebGL, real-time rendering, and browser extension development, while also demonstrating how 3D visualization can meaningfully improve digital marketplaces for gaming assets.

#Technical Highlights

• Consistent 60fps real-time rendering in the browser
• Efficient loading and management of 3D models and textures
• Careful isolation of injected UI from native Steam DOM
• Cross-browser extension compatibility
• Performance-conscious rendering pipeline suitable for marketplace pages