HOW TO MAKE ONE
OBJECT FOLLOW ANOTHER
IN THREE.JS

Introduction

Object following is a fundamental technique in 3D graphics and game development. Whether you're building a camera system that tracks a player, creating enemy AI that pursues the player, or implementing interactive 3D experiences, understanding how to make one object follow another is essential. In Three.js, there are several approaches to implement object following behavior, each with its own advantages and use cases.

From third-person camera systems in games to particle effects that trail behind moving objects, this technique is fundamental to creating engaging 3D experiences. Understanding the different methods — linear interpolation, distance-based following, and velocity-based movement — will help you choose the right approach for your specific use case and create smooth, professional-looking interactions in your Three.js projects.

In this tutorial, you'll build a complete interactive demo featuring a WASD-controlled target with three different follower objects, each using a distinct following algorithm. You'll see the differences in behavior firsthand and learn when to use each approach in your own projects.

What You'll Learn

• Simple lerp-based following for smooth, easy-to-implement tracking
• Distance-based following that maintains a fixed offset from the target
• Velocity-based following with acceleration and damping for physics-like movement
• Using lookAt() to orient followers toward their target
• Building a reusable ObjectFollower class that combines all methods
• WASD keyboard controls for moving a target object in 3D space
• Camera following with smooth interpolation

Prerequisites

Basic familiarity with Three.js (scene, camera, renderer setup) and JavaScript. You should understand how the animation loop works with requestAnimationFrame. No advanced math knowledge is required — the tutorial explains the vector operations step by step.