10 Impressive JavaScript Animation Frameworks
Complex and slick JavaScript-based animation has been made easier with the emergence of frameworks and libraries that give developers the ability to create stunning and eye-grabbing animation and transition effects that make it easy these complex tasks.
In this article, you will read about the top 10 JavaScript-based animation frameworks and libraries that will enable you to create engaging and captivating user experiences.
1. $fx
$fx is a compact and lightweight JavaScript animation library which extends native JavaScript DOM methods with its own animation methods and functions. Its small file size (weighing in at only 3.7 KB), hassle-free implementation, and low learning curve makes $fx a powerful option for adding eye-popping animation effects to your web projects. Check out the Examples section on the Manuals page to see the library in action.
2. jsAnim
Created by web developer Kevin Dolan, jsAnim is a JavaScript animation framework for creating high-impact and slick animation sequences for web interfaces. Crafted with standards and best practices in mind, jsAnim allows you to create stunning animation effects without sacrificing web accessibility of your web projects.
3. scripty2
scripty2 is a flexible and lightweight JavaScript animation framework for developing delicious visual effects. The project is still young (alpha), but you can already see its impressive capabilities in the scripty2 demo page which shows examples that rival Flash-based objects in smooth, seamless, and complex animations.
4. GX
GX, developed by Italian web developer Riccardo Degni, is a compact (10KB uncompressed animation effects library that puts strict web standards and best practices at the forefront of its development philosophy. Built on top of jQuery, but heavily influenced by MooTools development patterns, you can customize your GX download to include only the parts you need, making your scripts optimized for file size. Check out the GX Demos to see its capabilities.
5. Glimmer
Glimmer is a framework for easily creating interactive elements on your web pages. Glimmer comes with wizards GUIs, reducing your coding requirements and guaranteeing standardization across your projects. Check out the Image-Sequencer demo to see Glimmer’s animation capabilities. It’s written on top of the popular jQuery library.
6. Animator.js
Animator.js is a class-based way for implementing JavaScript-based animation effects. Its design and development principles follow OOAD, which promotes maintainable and high-lifetime development of applications. Thus, it syntax is prototypal and object-oriented, reminiscent of MooTools and Prototype.js syntax.
7. Scriptio
Scriptio is an open source framework for animation and presentational elements to enhance and enrich the learner’s web experience. Scriptio is easy to learn and its terse syntax makes it great for fast prototyping. View the Scriptio Examples page where you will find eight cool demos that exemplify this framework’s abilities.
8. Processing.js
Processing.js is a fully featured framework for scripting images, animation, and interaction developed by jQuery library creator, John Resig. Processing.js is a JavaScript port of the open source Processing project. You should check out the Exhibits page to see full-production implementations of Processing.js.
9. Run
For developers looking for a simple means of animating content, Run, a universal JavaScript animation framework, is the definitive way to go. Run emphasizes on ease-of-use as shown by its intuitive syntax and copious amounts of documentation. Run has also been tested on a wide array of web browsers, ensuring utmost cross-browser compatibility. Head over to Run’s Example page to see the project in action.
10. Burst Engine
Burst Engine is an open source vector animation framework for HTML 5’s Canvas element. Burst provides smooth, slick, and complex animations that will surely leave a memorable impression upon viewers. To see Burst in action, check out the 3D Engine demo (and prepare to get very impressed).
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This was published on Jun 28, 2009
48 Comments
Aaron Wright Jun 28 2009
How didn’t moo.fx make this list?! I thought it was hugely popular…
syikin Jun 28 2009
interesting.. i should try them out, need one of those to put up in my sites
stelt Jun 28 2009
A different option: use SVG ?
BryanRegencia.com Jun 28 2009
Good stuffs! Can these be done in jQuery as well? Btw, thanks for sharing.
Eric Jun 28 2009
What exactly is the biggest animated-JS framework?
These are impressive (esp. “$fx”) but what’s the one that everyone is using? What’s the one that is the most expansive in terms of creativity?
tim Jun 29 2009
How could scriptaculous didn’t make it to the list?
joe Jun 29 2009
i am not sure how you choose these as top ten. But apparently, YUI and jQuery can perform similar task.
Mohammad Jun 29 2009
Good , Jquery is better and easy !
omtay38 Jun 29 2009
Neat list. Never thought of javascript frameworks from just an animation standpoint. As for me, I think I’ll stick to my tried-and-true jQuery.
明城 Jun 29 2009
there is another animation toolkit which named “Motion”(Chinese): http://lab.gracecode.com/motion/
Heiko Schmieder Jun 29 2009
Great list! Remember used jScript in the 90s for menus.
thx | bookmarked
Krewetka Jun 29 2009
“Can these be done in jQuery as well?”
This libraries are something different…these are ANIMATION libraries which are made with purpose of making animation easier :)
This is something more that jQuery, Prototype or MooTools :)
Personally I tried Processing (but not js version) and I loved it :) It’s something like modified version of java language created for animation purposes
Check this example http://balldroppings.com/js/
Nicolas Jun 29 2009
the infovis toolkit ain’t bad either http://thejit.org
Santana Jun 29 2009
w0o0w great stuff thank u i like the first one and second one and glimmer thank u nice site!! =]
princess Jun 29 2009
yes,they are impressive.
adam Jun 29 2009
yep, jQuery has both pre-defined animation shortcuts and several “roll your own” methods, along with even more options in the UI effects library.
The basics (provides a few prebuilt effects and all the “roll your own” functions required:
http://docs.jquery.com/Effects
UI (provides easing and some additional pre-built effects):
http://docs.jquery.com/UI/Effects
Dman Jun 29 2009
@BryanRegencia
-Read the description for #5 all the through to get your answer.
On topic….
I checked them all out and I like what I see. They will definitely be of help. Thanks!
Oliver Burkill Jun 29 2009
You missed this, most impressive of all I think
http://code.google.com/p/cakejs/
Paul Radich Jun 29 2009
Some of these have nice specialty functions but for my every day it’s jQuery.
woniu Jun 29 2009
it’s great!
Thad Jun 29 2009
This will be very useful. Time SAVER!
Dan Jun 29 2009
This list is bizarre. Glimmer is not a framework, it’s a GUI tool for implementing jQuery effects.
Scripty2 reference doesn’t make note that it is the second version of Scriptaculous.
Has the author even tried these tools? Or are they just randomly posting crap?
Ben Jun 29 2009
Raphael should be on the list
http://raphaeljs.com/
Janko Jun 30 2009
I use jQuery for simple animations, but I’ll have to give one of these a try just to make sure they can’t do better than jQuery. I that case, I will have one more framework to deal with :)
Justin Jul 01 2009
@Dan… Chill man, no one likes you
Kevin Dolan Jul 02 2009
I especially like jsAnim, the second one on the list! ;)
Danny Jul 03 2009
Hmm, just quickly tested some of the scripts with the examples on their websites. What struck me is that ‘Run’ doesn’t appear to work in my firefox 3 browser. It does however work in IE6. Don’t know if I would like to call ‘Run’ impressive.
Ryan Morr Jul 04 2009
No love for FX? That’s OK, but for anyone who is interested, I just released version 2 over at my blog: http://ryanmorr.com/archives/fx-2-0-the-full-featured-animation-framework
Frank West Jul 06 2009
A remember years back a discussion I had with a colleague… One day Javascript will be a better alternative to Flash. He never listened.
Good article!
Karsten Januszewski Jul 06 2009
Hi – First thanks for the shout out about Glimmer –http://visitmix.com/lab/glimmer
Second, for those asking about using jQuery, that’s what Glimmer in fact does: it is an IDE for jQuery, allowing a designer to create animations and, under the hood, Glimmer generates jQuery code. One of the main reasons we wrote Glimmer was when we realized the kind of animation that one can do with javascript. However, it is still pretty tough for a designer to create animations, which is why we built the Glimmer tool.
Philip Jul 12 2009
Karsten,
I think your market could expand if you create your tool for Mac OSX as well.
Chris van Rensburg Jul 27 2009
The UIZE JavaScript Framework has just released an upgrade to its animation system. Tasty new motion effects are now possible with the support for curve functions. The Curve Explorer tool lets you experiment with, visualize, and preview curves that can be used to control motion… http://www.uize.com/tools/curve-explorer.html
Boussacsou Jul 28 2009
jquery still the best !!
John Aug 11 2009
Here u can see an example of animation widh prototype and scriptaculous:
http://sviudes.blogspot.com/2009/08/quieres-poner-shin-chan-paseando-por-tu.html
Krishna Kishore Sep 11 2009
where is http://raphaeljs.com ?
Ocim Sep 11 2009
they are impressive
Emma Sep 13 2009
hi – ive been playing around with jsAnim but theres not too much in terms of support considering im pretty much a javascript newbie :S Im progressing a little but wondered if maybe I could ask a couple questions to some one whos more familiar with it?
Happy to credit you :)
Any help would be great, the project is a gift for someone id like to impress them :)
F1LT3R Sep 18 2009
Yeah I feel like Raphael was missing too. Especially with it’s tweening functions.
Sahin Dec 05 2009
Excellent group of tools. I love the $fx. That is really helpful.
Antonio Feb 05 2010
Where is animej.codeplex.com?
Luke Feb 19 2010
Love your list! Having tried some out, I decided to make my own very light library. It’s not as good as these, but has 14 REALLY easy to use operations. It allows for movement around the page, growing and shrinking and fading in and out. I use it as it is simple to call, and writing wrapper functions for it are not hard. Anyhow, if anyone wants to try it out, here it is: http://opensourcesurfer.co.uk/index.php?p=simple_anim
Kria Apr 29 2010
I guess the author has not made a detailed study before publishing this list.. not so accurate
Webpolis Aug 24 2010
Nothing new. jQuery does the same and much more. Its ‘animate’ method will ease your work.
Julien Sep 21 2010
processingjs is by far the most impressive, add that to jQuery and you’re ready to forget flash
Roy Sep 22 2010
awesome js script, best!
hadie danker Dec 02 2010
Yeah I feel like Raphael was missing too. Especially with it’s tweening functions.
Alex Feb 19 2011
Hm… Nice list) And what do you think about my js framework – jCanvaScript? Is it good for work with canvas? You can read documentation at http://jcscript.com/documentation
shekhar_pro Apr 29 2011
Really nice list..
Is burstengin is the only one for or there are others too..