CSS Style animationName Property: CSS Animation Name

CSS `animationName` Property: A Comprehensive Guide

The CSS animationName property specifies the name of the @keyframes at-rule that defines the animation’s keyframes. This property links a CSS animation to a set of keyframes, enabling elements to transition smoothly between different styles over a specified duration. Without animationName, animations defined using @keyframes will not be applied to any element.

Purpose of the `animationName` Property

The primary purpose of the animationName property is to:

Connect a CSS animation to a specific set of keyframes defined using the @keyframes rule.
Allow developers to apply multiple animations to a single element by specifying a comma-separated list of animation names.
Enable dynamic control over which animations are active on an element through JavaScript or other scripting languages.

Syntax

The animationName property accepts one or more names of @keyframes at-rules, separated by commas.

animation-name: none | identifier[, identifier]*;

Values

Value	Description
`none`	Specifies that no animation should be applied. This is the default value.
`identifier`	The name of the `@keyframes` at-rule to be used for the animation. This name must match the identifier defined in the `@keyframes` rule.

Basic Examples

Let’s start with a basic example to illustrate how the animationName property works.

Example 1: Basic Animation

In this example, we define a simple animation called slideIn that moves an element from the left to its original position.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>Basic animationName Example</title>
    <style>
      .box_ani_name_1 {
        width: 100px;
        height: 100px;
        background-color: blue;
        position: relative;
        animation-name: slideIn;
        animation-duration: 2s;
      }

      @keyframes slideIn {
        from {
          left: -100px;
        }
        to {
          left: 0;
        }
      }
    </style>
  </head>
  <body>
    <div class="box_ani_name_1"></div>
  </body>
</html>

In this code:

.box_ani_name_1 is the element to be animated.
animation-name: slideIn; specifies that the slideIn keyframes should be used for the animation.
animation-duration: 2s; sets the duration of the animation to 2 seconds.
@keyframes slideIn defines the animation, moving the element from the left (-100px) to its original position (0).

Output

The blue box will slide in from the left over a duration of 2 seconds.

Using Multiple Animations

You can apply multiple animations to the same element by providing a comma-separated list of animation names to the animationName property.

Example 2: Multiple Animations

In this example, we apply two animations to the same element: slideIn and fadeIn.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>Multiple Animations Example</title>
    <style>
      .box_ani_name_2 {
        width: 100px;
        height: 100px;
        background-color: blue;
        position: relative;
        animation-name: slideIn, fadeIn;
        animation-duration: 2s, 3s;
      }

      @keyframes slideIn {
        from {
          left: -100px;
        }
        to {
          left: 0;
        }
      }

      @keyframes fadeIn {
        from {
          opacity: 0;
        }
        to {
          opacity: 1;
        }
      }
    </style>
  </head>
  <body>
    <div class="box_ani_name_2"></div>
  </body>
</html>

In this code:

.box_ani_name_2 is the element to be animated.
animation-name: slideIn, fadeIn; specifies that both the slideIn and fadeIn keyframes should be used for the animation.
animation-duration: 2s, 3s; sets the duration of the slideIn animation to 2 seconds and the fadeIn animation to 3 seconds.
@keyframes slideIn defines the animation, moving the element from the left (-100px) to its original position (0).
@keyframes fadeIn defines the animation, changing the opacity from 0 to 1.

Output

The blue box will slide in from the left while simultaneously fading in.

Real-World Applications

The animationName property is widely used in web development for creating engaging user interfaces and enhancing user experience.

Example 3: Animated Button

In this example, we create an animated button that changes color when hovered over.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>Animated Button Example</title>
    <style>
      .button_ani_name_3 {
        background-color: #4caf50; /* Green */
        border: none;
        color: white;
        padding: 15px 32px;
        text-align: center;
        text-decoration: none;
        display: inline-block;
        font-size: 16px;
        cursor: pointer;
        transition: background-color 0.3s;
      }

      .button_ani_name_3:hover {
        animation-name: colorChange;
        animation-duration: 0.5s;
        animation-fill-mode: forwards;
      }

      @keyframes colorChange {
        from {
          background-color: #4caf50;
        }
        to {
          background-color: #3e8e41;
        }
      }
    </style>
  </head>
  <body>
    <button class="button_ani_name_3">Hover Over Me</button>
  </body>
</html>

In this code:

.button_ani_name_3 is the class applied to the button element.
:hover is a pseudo-class that applies styles when the button is hovered over.
animation-name: colorChange; specifies that the colorChange keyframes should be used for the animation when the button is hovered over.
animation-duration: 0.5s; sets the duration of the animation to 0.5 seconds.
animation-fill-mode: forwards; ensures that the final state of the animation is maintained.
@keyframes colorChange defines the animation, changing the background color from green to a darker green.

Output

When you hover over the button, its background color will smoothly transition to a darker green.

Dynamic Control with JavaScript

The animationName property can be dynamically controlled using JavaScript to start, stop, or change animations based on user interactions or other events.

Example 4: Toggle Animation with JavaScript

In this example, we use JavaScript to toggle an animation on and off when a button is clicked.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>Toggle Animation Example</title>
    <style>
      .box_ani_name_4 {
        width: 100px;
        height: 100px;
        background-color: blue;
        position: relative;
      }

      .animate_ani_name_4 {
        animation-name: slideIn;
        animation-duration: 2s;
        animation-fill-mode: forwards;
      }

      @keyframes slideIn {
        from {
          left: -100px;
        }
        to {
          left: 0;
        }
      }
    </style>
  </head>
  <body>
    <div id="box_ani_name_4" class="box_ani_name_4"></div>
    <button id="toggleButton_ani_name_4">Toggle Animation</button>

    <script>
      const box_ani_name_4 = document.getElementById("box_ani_name_4");
      const toggleButton_ani_name_4 = document.getElementById(
        "toggleButton_ani_name_4"
      );

      toggleButton_ani_name_4.addEventListener("click", function () {
        box_ani_name_4.classList.toggle("animate_ani_name_4");
      });
    </script>
  </body>
</html>

In this code:

.box_ani_name_4 is the element to be animated.
.animate_ani_name_4 contains the animation properties.
document.getElementById is used to select the box and the button
toggleButton_ani_name_4.addEventListener is used to listen for the click event
box_ani_name_4.classList.toggle adds or removes the animate_ani_name_4 class, which toggles the animation on or off.

Output

Clicking the “Toggle Animation” button will start or stop the animation on the blue box, causing it to slide in or out.

Tips and Best Practices

Use Meaningful Names: Choose descriptive names for your @keyframes at-rules to improve code readability and maintainability.
Combine with Other Animation Properties: Use animationName in conjunction with other animation properties like animationDuration, animationTimingFunction, and animationIterationCount for complete control over your animations.
Test Across Browsers: Ensure that your animations work consistently across different browsers to provide a seamless user experience.
Consider Performance: Complex animations can impact performance. Optimize your animations by using hardware acceleration techniques and minimizing the number of elements being animated.
Use animationFillMode: This ensures that the element maintains the styles from the last keyframe when the animation is complete.

Browser Support

The animationName property is widely supported across modern web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. It is also supported in older versions of these browsers, making it a reliable choice for creating web animations.

Note: Always test your animations across different browsers and devices to ensure a consistent user experience. 🧐

Conclusion

The animationName property is a fundamental aspect of CSS animations, allowing developers to link animations to specific keyframes and control their behavior. By understanding the syntax, values, and practical examples outlined in this guide, you can effectively use the animationName property to create dynamic and engaging web animations. Happy coding!