What do you think CSS is only used to create animations? Indeed, it is, but along with it, you can also utilize CSS to control the speed, duration, direction, start time, etc.

No matter whether you want your animation to move in an upward or downward direction, the CSS animation-direction property in web development will allow you to achieve your goals. 

Are you new to this? Need not fret! In this blog, you will get to know all about CSS animation properties.

Now, without any further ado, let's understand what CSS animation is all about, along with its usage. 

What is CSS Animation Direction Property?

CSS animation direction property is all about the direction of the animation. Once you set this property, you can easily set the animation cycle backwards, forward, or in an alternate direction.

Now, let’s have a look at different animation directions:

  • animation-direction: normal;
  • animation-direction: reverse;
  • animation-direction: alternate-reverse;
  • animation-direction: alternate;

To help you further, I have shared the animation-direction property syntax. Hopefully, this syntax will help you create animations like a pro. 

/* The Single animation of CSS animation property */

  • animation-direction: normal;
  • animation-direction: reverse;
  • animation-direction: alternate;
  • animation-direction: alternate-reverse;

/* The Multiple animations of CSS animation property */

  • animation-direction: normal, reverse;
  • animation-direction: alternate, reverse, normal;

/* The Global values of CSS animation property */

  • animation-direction: inherit;
  • animation-direction: initial;
  • animation-direction: revert;
  • animation-direction: unset;

Now that you know different CSS animation properties, it's time to understand the values of CSS Animation properties. 

CSS Animation Property Values

1. Normal

If you use this property, the animation will play forwards. It means that for every animation cycle, the animation will reset to the beginning state and will start again.

The value -” Normal” is basically the default value of the animation-direction property in CSS. So if you won't set this property, then by default, it will play forwards.

2. Reverse

The reverse animation is all about the animations that are done in the reverse direction each cycle. In this style, animation steps and timing functions are performed backward. 

For instance, an ease-in timing function becomes ease-out.

3. Alternate

The alternate animation reverses direction in each cycle, with the first iteration in the forward direction. The count is to determine if a cycle is odd or even starts at one.

4. Alternate-Reverse

The alternate-reverse reverses the direction of each cycle, with the first iteration played backward. The count is to determine if a cycle is even or odd, starting at one.

CSS Shorthand for Animation Direction

You will be amazed to know that you can also set various animation properties, including animation direction, which can be done by using the animation shorthand CSS property.

The CSS animation shorthand property applies the animation between styles. It is a shorthand method to set all animation properties like animation-name, animation-duration, animation-timing-function, animation-delay, animation-iteration-count, animation-direction, animation-fill-mode, and animation-play-state.

Common CSS Animation Issues

Whether your animation is not working as you want or simply not working at all, here are some reasons for issues and how to resolve them:

1. No @keyframes Rule

In CSS animations, the @keyframes rule defines the way how the animation looks. More specifically, it defines which element styles change and when. Without this rule, your element will not have any animation to use. So the very next time, check whether your @keyframes rule exists and if its name matches that of the animation name for the targeted element.

2. Animation Duration Not Set

Let's suppose you've assigned a keyframes rule to the element, but it still does not appear to play if you haven't set an animation duration. By default, zero seconds long is the CSS animation cycle.

To override this cycle, you need to incorporate an animation-duration rule in your targeted element with a seconds value, just as in the same block as the animation name.

3. Animation Starts Too Soon

Sometimes, you could need to feature a quick postponement earlier than the beginning of animation for a higher consumer experience. Accomplish this with the animation-postpone belongings. 

4. Non-Animatable CSS Properties

Another reason for the animation not working maybe that you're trying to animate a CSS property that is not animatable.

5. CSS Animation is not Supported

CSS animations paintings on maximum present-day mobile and computer browsers. However, your animations won't work if you're using an older browser or a model of your browser that hasn't been up to date in numerous years, without a doubt because of loss of browser assistance.

If you have updated the browser and you are nonetheless having troubles, attempt including your animation policies with supplier prefixes further in your authentic policies and attempt the animation again. 

6. CSS Shorthand Written Incorrectly

CSS shorthand is a superb manner of writing down cleanser CSS and decreasing the quantity of code in your file. The animation belongings are shorthand for those CSS houses:

  • animation-period
  • animation-call
  • animation-postpone
  • animation-direction
  • animation-fill-mode
  • animation-iteration-rely
  • animation-play-nation
  • Animation-timing-function

Two values — one for the animation period and one for the animation call — are required. Besides those, the order of the values determines which price is assigned to which animation belongings. 

Misaligned values should bring about an animation behaving otherwise than you expect. So, if the usage of the animation shorthand belongs, then ensure that its values are indexed inside the proper order.

7. Slow Performance

CSS animations have a tendency to be higher for overall performance than different sorts of internet animations. However, now no longer all CSS animations are equal, and a few lively patterns will gradually lower overall performance down greater than others.

Most easy CSS animations just don't have any major effect on web page load times. However, the greater results you upload in your animation, the much more likely you're to run into overall performance troubles.

To keep away from bad overall performance, Google recommends restricting your use of animations that cause repaints. A paint is whilst the browser that creates the visible show of an internet web page pixel-with the aid of using-pixel at the screen. Paints use a notably massive quantity of processing power, so you must restrict the wide variety of repaints because of animations as much as you can.

Unfortunately, maximum animatable CSS houses cause a repaint whilst changed. The exceptions to this transform (for such things as scale, rotation, and position) and opacity, which may be lively with minimum impact on overall performance. Here's a reference for which CSS houses cause repaints whilst lively.

Still, don't permit that to dissuade you from scrapping animations altogether. If you're having pace problems, it's probably due to the fact you're seeking to execute many right away or making use of animation to at least one massive detail or organization of elements. 

On websites, CSS animations are first-rate, whilst they are used subtly to beautify the experience, so recollect whether or not you want a complex animation to interact with visitors.

The Final Say 

Yes, HubSpot allows you to control the direction of animations by using the right CSS code. Well! I totally agree that the CSS animation direction property is one thing that many people are not aware of. 

But yes, after reading this blog, you will surely be familiar with the ways with which you can control the animations and give an appealing and user-friendly look to your website design. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to build a design that appeals to your target audience. 

Still need any help in designing a site, feel free to get in touch with us. Our experts will help you with the same.  

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Frequently Asked Questions

The animation-direction CSS property determines the direction in which an animation cycle progresses. It can be set to values like “normal” (for forward animation), “reverse” (for backward animation), “alternate” (alternates between forward and backwards), and “alternate-reverse” (starts with backward and alternates).

The animation property in CSS is used to specify multiple animation-related properties in a single declaration. It includes values for animation name, animation duration, animation timing function, animation delay, animation iteration count, animation direction, and animation fill mode. This property allows for the creation of complex animations with various parameters.

The two main types of animating are:

  • Traditional Animation: This involves creating each frame of an animation individually, like in hand-drawn or stop-motion animations.
  • Computer Animation: This uses digital tools and software to create animations, including 2D and 3D computer-generated animations.

The four steps in the animation are:

  • Storyboarding: Planning and creating a sequence of keyframes to outline the animation's flow.
  • Modelling: Creating 2D or 3D objects and characters that will be animated.
  • Animating: Transforming the objects and characters over time to create motion.
  • Rendering: Generating the final frames of the animation, including textures and lighting effects.