A cloud-based environment is configured to interface with storage devices that store 3D object models and a 3D rendering code base that is accessible by two or more user devices over a network using browsers or web agents. A web application is delivered to the user device, whereupon the browser or agent receives the 3D object model and the 3D rendering code into a web application that has user controls for defining at least one 3D scene that is rendered using user-defined camera shots and events associated with the 3D object model. User interactions invoke executable event handler components and executable shot components that correspond to one or more camera shots. User controls serve to invoke generation of custom event handler components and executable shot components. A preview of the 3D scene is presented by rendering the shots and events in a web browser or web agent.